2024 Rankings – Defensive Backs Breakdown
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October is here and we have begun updating all of our prospect rankings throughout the website. Two weeks ago, we released our first watch list for the 2026 class. The first rankings for that class will come out in January. Last week, it was all about the 2025 class. We’ve updated those rankings to feature the top 75 sophomores in the state. You can check out the full rankings RIGHT HERE. This week, we take a look at some of the top juniors in Oklahoma with an update to the 2024 rankings. You can check out the full rankings RIGHT HERE.
In this post, we’re taking a look at five of the best defensive backs in the state’s 2024 class. Stay tuned throughout the week for more 2024 prospect breakdowns. And keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma next week when we release our 2023 prospect rankings.
One of the fastest players in the state, Ada defensive back Damontre Patterson Damontre Patterson 5’10” | 145 lbs | WR Sulphur | 2024 State OK has been on our radar since the offseason between his freshman and sophomore seasons. Patterson was a small school star for Elmore City in Class A over the last two seasons. However, this offseason, he moved to Ada and the tradition-rich Cougars are once again contenders in Class 4A. They also find themselves in one of the toughest districts in the class. But for Patterson, it’s all about his play as a lockdown corner. Colleges are already starting to take notice as he already has a few offers in his pocket. He should get even more now that his junior film starts making the rounds. The combination of legitimate track speed, along with skills at the cornerback position make Patterson a top name in the class.
Highlights
Out of the five defensive backs on this breakdown, there’s no doubt that John Marshall DB Davien Taylor Davien Taylor 6’0″ | 175 lbs | DB John Marshall | 2024 State OK was the toughest evaluation of the group. The latest film that we could see of Taylor was from his sophomore season. And that film was outstanding as you watched him fly all over the field on the defensive side of the ball. During our last ranking update, we pointed out that Taylor could be utilized on both sides of the ball as an overall athlete. Whether it’s wide receiver or anywhere else on the offensive side of the ball, Taylor could do a variety of things other than play quarterback. Moving forward, we want to see how Taylor’s junior season went because we know that when he’s right, he’s one of the better defensive backs in the class. Stay tuned for more work on him.
There’s no doubt that the top two defensive backs in the state’s 2024 class are Patterson at Ada and then Union DB Issac Covington Issac Covington 5’11” | 190 lbs | ATH Union | 2024 State OK . Just like with Patterson, we’ve known about Covington for a while now since early on in his career. He was a standout for Booker T Washington as a very versatile player that played multiple positions the last two seasons. This year, he moved over to Union and has been an impact player in their secondary. Union has one of the better secondaries, not only in 6A-1, but in the state and Covington is a big reason why. We love what we’ve seen from him at the safety position so far this year. It seems like he knows where the ball is going at all times. We’re looking forward to seeing what happens with his recruitment now that he has even more tape out there for coaches.
Every time we do a ranking update, there are a handful of players that we are on the fence on when it comes to their position. Back in June during our last update, we were pretty solid on Heritage Hall standout Jordyn Harris Jordyn Harris 6’1″ | 165 lbs | DB Heritage Hall | 2024 State OK being a defensive back. But after watching his production and some of his film from this season, we’re not so sure. The speedster is an overall athlete and can be used in a variety of ways. He’s scored a handful of touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball and he’s also very dynamic in the return game. Now, we knew that the speed was there when it came to Harris because he has clocked some very impressive times. But you’re seeing it translate in other ways other than just playing defensive back. Harris is a dynamic athlete on the rise and he might be more than just another DB.
Our final defensive back on this breakdown is the lone newcomer of the five listed. Mustang defensive back Zachery Warren Zachery Warren 6’1″ | DB Mustang | 2024 State OK is a prospect on the rise and there’s a lot of belief that the Broncos as a program is on the rise in a big way. Warren is a big, physical DB that should give the Broncos a lot of production over the next season and a half. This year, Mustang is a dark horse in the 6A-1 state championship picture and they’re led by an explosive offense. But a lot of the names on that side of the ball will be gone next year and Warren will be one of the top returning players for the Broncos. He was dealing with an injury earlier this year but there is some serious talent in the Mustang secondary that should just get better and better moving forward and we have our eye on Warren as one.