2023 Rankings Breakdown: Top 10 Ranked Defensive Backs
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Introducing the revamped Prep Redzone Pennsylvania 2023 rankings. In this piece, we will breakdown the top ten players at each position with this piece specifically highlighting the top ten defensive backs. Plenty of new names and plenty of stock risers…
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Continue ReadingIntroducing the revamped Prep Redzone Pennsylvania 2023 rankings. In this piece, we will breakdown the top ten players at each position with this piece specifically highlighting the top ten defensive backs. Plenty of new names and plenty of stock risers in this list alone.
Rahmir Stewart Rahmir Stewart 6'0" | 205 lbs | DB Imhotep Charter | 2023 State PA | 6’0, 195 | Imhotep Institute
Another ranking update, another top spot for Imhotep’s Rahmir Stewart Rahmir Stewart 6'0" | 205 lbs | DB Imhotep Charter | 2023 State PA . Stewart is the prototypical safety prospect whose game is tough to poke holes through. The junior’s got range, tracking/locating ability, overall field awareness is elite thanks to reps on the offensive side of the football. You can trust Stewart as a last line of defense in run-support. The premier defensive back in this class and it’s not even close. Stewart’s top six schools include Oregon, Georgia, Michigan, Penn State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma University.
Lamont Payne Lamont Payne 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Chartiers Valley | 2023 State PA | 6’1, 175 | Chartiers Valley | Penn State University
Coming in at number two is Chartiers Valley’s 4-star corner Lamont Payne Lamont Payne 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Chartiers Valley | 2023 State PA . Lamont has held the top corner spot for some time, nothing changes now for the future Nittany Lion star. The best overall skillset to play corner that this class has to offer. Shawn Battle Shawn Battle 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Neumann-Goretti | 2023 State PA makes a case, but it’s tough to drop a prospect who consistently makes the right play. There is no corner in this class that is more equipped to handle the speed and physicality the Big Ten will throw this his way.
Shawn Battle Shawn Battle 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Neumann-Goretti | 2023 State PA | 5’11, 175 | Neumann-Goretti
Shawn Battle Shawn Battle 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Neumann-Goretti | 2023 State PA takes the three spot and finishes off the national prospect list. NG has produced quality defensive backs for some time now, add Shawn Battle Shawn Battle 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Neumann-Goretti | 2023 State PA ’s name to the list. Another well-seasoned and well-tried prospect out of the Philadelphia Catholic League that might have a chip on his shoulder being ranked the third-best defensive back. He has all the makings to surpass each of the two DBs above by November. Battle’s top five schools include Nebraska, Boston College, Penn State, Virginia, and Cincinnati.
Donovan Walker Donovan Walker 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Aliquippa | 2023 State PA | 6’1, 170 | Aliquippa
Donovan Walker Donovan Walker 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Aliquippa | 2023 State PA should be on the cusp of national status. This type of exposure is out of his control. All that the Aliquippa stud can do is ball out each Fall, something he has seemingly done for years now. 4.0 GPA, 3-sport athlete, 2021 State Champion, there’s a lot to love before plugging in the tape. Turning on said tape and you’ll be met with a ton of production out of the gate. Real ball skills that led to eight interceptions this past Fall. The interceptions don’t tell the entire story. We hope Walker’s name gets mentioned in Power Five circles.
https://twitter.com/DonovanWalkerr/status/1469393802620190726?s=20&t=LG-c_L5pMNFQnUG3dj7kwA
Cruce Brookins Cruce Brookins 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH Steel Valley | 2023 State PA | 6’2, 180 | Steel Valley
Can make the case that there isn’t a better overall athlete on this list. Incredible size for someone who can run and track the way he does. There’s patience and poise in his game when at CB or Safety. He is one of the five prospects in this entire state, that I feel comfortable saying, has sideline to sideline range. Again, what sticks out is his poise when being targeted. The young man exudes confidence and is technically sound enough to not rely solely on his athleticism, which he has plenty of. If you don’t believe me, check out his highlights at quarterback, where he earned 1st-team all-conference honors.
Raion Strader Raion Strader 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Penn Hills | 2023 State PA | 6’0, 170 | Penn Hills | Miami of Ohio
Happy to see Raion Strader Raion Strader 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Penn Hills | 2023 State PA develop the way he has since last I saw him over a year ago. The young man has filled out his pads entirely and put out elite defensive back film. So much so that many group of five schools were clamoring for his commitment this summer. Strader ended all discussion with his recent commitment to Miami (OH) University. The 2019 MAC Champions are getting an ultra-competitor, one who I fully expect to work harder than anyone in his future DB room.
COMMITTED🔴⚪️@Martin_Miami_HC @CoachBrechin @BlantonRobert @210ths pic.twitter.com/UCdBXEXF17
— RaionStrader (@RaionStrader) June 8, 2022
Bobbie Boyd Jr. | 5’7, 165 | McKeesport
McKeesport will end up with two top ten ranked defensive backs in this class, both contributors at the safety position. Much like Strader, I have personally been able to see Boyd Jr. grow into the menace he is today. He, as well as Perry, are to be feared in the secondary. His stature hasn’t held the likes of Saint Francis University or Richmond from offering, as Boyd has garnered real attention from multiple FCS and DII schools. Akron and Austin Peay are also in the hunt to land this Pittsburgh-area safety.
Jaleel Davis-Shabazz Jaleel Davis-Shabazz 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Roman Catholic | 2023 State PA | 6’1, 185 | Archbishop Wood
Very tough deciding between Boyd and Davis-Shabazz. Either way we went, we couldn’t have been wrong as Jaleel is equally as talented as any on this list. I can see a scenario where a stellar senior campaign could thrust JDS into the top three on this list. There isn’t a corner or safety spot I wouldn’t feel comfortable slotting this young man into. Whichever program ends up with this young man might be getting the most versatile DB in Pennsylvania.
Jahmil Perryman Jahmil Perryman 5'9" | 170 lbs | DB McKeesport | 2023 State PA | 5’9, 170 | McKeesport
Pairing up Perryman with Bobbie Boyd at safety is absolutely unfair. Each are capable of holding down a secondary by themselves, let alone together. It’s going to be tough going up against these two. You can’t forget the offensive reps that Perryman is capable of providing at any time. He’s got years of reps touting the rock and doing so really well. A little wrinkle to his game that gives opposing coaches trouble when game planning against McKeesport.
Dre Miller-Ross Dre Miller-Ross 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Sto-Rox | 2023 State PA | 6’0, 170 | Sto-Rox
Tough to solely designate Dre Miller-Ross Dre Miller-Ross 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Sto-Rox | 2023 State PA as a defensive back, considering he caught 23 balls for 520 yards last season on a team full of weapons. Sto-Rox can beat you in a myriad of ways offensively, and DMR was certainly a part of that. We are just too enamored with DMR the defensive back. 2 interceptions may not wow anyone, what wows you is turning on the tape and seeing just how well the young man can stay in-phase with the opponent. Miller-Ross is currently holding G5 offers out of Akron, Central Michigan, Miami (OH) and Kent State.
Junior Season Stats!🏴☠️
– 12 TD’s
– 23 catches, 518 Yards
– 2 Defense TD’s
– 2 INTS
– 4 Force Fumbles
-65 Tackles, 16 Solo @Chise89 @coachkemp11 @CoachBBlair_ @coachtaylor412 @coachwil_412 @210ths https://t.co/HiUpP8tqNd— Dre M.Ross (@dreMross) December 16, 2021