Preseason All-6A Team Defensive Backs

<p>Today we discuss the guys holding down the secondary in the 6A region!</p>    <p>Mbakwe is a playmaking corner with track star speed, next-level size, and receiver ball skills. The versatile 4-star recruit is an all-state caliber player as a wideout, corner, and return man. The Alabama signee is a next-level player who can take over games in all three phases and is a can't-miss blue chip for his electrifying plays. Mbakwe's skills as a receiver translate well to his primary position. He has good hands and tracking skills, understands when to jump routes, and is liable to tack it to the house if he gets his hands on the ball. He's long enough to play in press coverage and eat up air space at the line of scrimmage while also being fast enough to recover if he's beat on a release. Also, with this elite speed, he eliminates offenses from trying big plays down the field on him and simply won't outrun on vertical routes. Mbakwe is also an effective tackler that will support the run and set the edge on the perimeter. Lastly, Mbakwe presents significant value as a return specialist and can take it to the crib if he's kicked too. His speed, acceleration, and elusiveness make him a threat anytime the ball is in his hands. Look for Mbakwe to stand out and defend his ranking within the state. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JayMbakwe/status/1552006594447147013?s=20&t=OrJxFLGWnPFyYb6EsREk0g </div></figure>    <p>Young is a lockdown corner who thrives in man-to-man coverage and can shut down No.1 options consistently. He does a great job of staying in phase and playing through the hands to force deflections/ incompletions. This physicality at the line of scrimmage disrupts the receivers' timing and enables him to play bigger than his listed size. He excels in jamming and is effective with quick shots or sustained jams. The Arkansas signee creates a no-flight against vertical routes. He's excellent at flipping his hips and going stride for stride with receivers down the field. However, Young has enough recovery speed to disrupt quick game routes and great timing when reaching for swats. As the season approaches, look for Young to shut down his half of the field weekly and take on the opponent's No.1 option with tenacity and skill. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/young_dallas4/status/1532045375682580482?s=20&t=ZNoDYirTS1XBEyRhFzZsmQ </div></figure>    <p>Banks is a ball-hawking corner with prototypical height, length, and athleticism. The Northridge product is one of the state's more productive corners and always seems to make plays on the ball. Banks have receiver-like ball skills and is excellent at tracking, high pointing, and making plays on the ball. This, in addition to his ability to keep his positioning while defending the deep ball, makes him a top-tier talent at the position. In the run game, he shows wiry strength when hitting ball carriers and isn't scared to help against the run. Though he's a great man-to-man guy, Banks also lined up at safety and was able to make plays as a roamer who can handle deep poritions of the field. With the talent, size, and athleticism, Banks is a sure-fire prospect and has the potential to turn into a 5- star. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BanksTravaris/status/1533586486234337284?s=20&t=p_IZ2n1GEiFnCeTJbSoXkA </div></figure>     <p>While one of the youngest guys on the list, Metcalf is easily one of the state's best safeties. The Pinson Valley product is a dynamic playmaker and can make game-changing plays consistently. He has tremendous range, closing speed, and pursuit- making him a constant threat no matter where he's lined up on the field. When he does find the ball, Metcalf prides himself in being an enforcer and never misses an opportunity to make his presence felt on ball carriers. He plays with a linebacker mentality when getting downhill and is excellent with his run support effort. He makes plays sideline to sideline and takes great angles on the ball when stopping big plays. In the passing game, he shows flashes of awareness, recovery speed, and timing when generating incompletions. Look for the Arkansas signee to be one of the prominent playmakers in the state and be a problem for offensive coordinators all season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/tjmetcalf3/status/1542978532883709953?s=20&t=p_IZ2n1GEiFnCeTJbSoXkA </div></figure>

Today we discuss the guys holding down the secondary in the 6A region!