2023 Rankings – Defensive Back Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the month of October, we had an update to our prospect rankings. Three weeks ago, we released our first&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2026-rankings/" target="_blank">watch list for the 2026 class</a></strong>. The first rankings for that class will come out in January. Two weeks ago, 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&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2025-rankings/" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>. Last week, we took a look at some of the top juniors in Oklahoma with an update to the 2024 rankings. You can check out the full rankings&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2024-rankings/" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>. This week, we finish up the ranking breakdowns with a look at the 2023 rankings. You can check out the Top 200 Seniors&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2023-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this post, we're taking a look at some of the top defensive backs in the state's 2023 class. This position group has become incredibly deep and has a great mix of cornerback and safety prospects. Stay tuned throughout the week for more 2023 prospect breakdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6364478b425fe","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["194065"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We're leading off with Bixby's [player_tooltip player_id='194065' first='Cale' last='Fugate'] because this list is done alphabetically but man he is coming off one of the best performances of the year last week. In a dominant road win over Moore, Fugate would finish with four interceptions, two of which he would return for touchdowns. There's no doubt that Bixby's strength on defense coming into this season was going to be in their secondary. Fugate is one of three Bixby players on this list. He's been incredibly consistent at the safety position and we have a feeling that the more his tape continues to make the rounds, the more schools are going to start picking up the phone and coming after him. Like a few other Bixby standouts, Fugate also turns around and plays offense as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["370215"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"This offseason, Cascia Hall standout [player_tooltip player_id='370215' first='Cooper' last='Lai'] emerged as one of the top safety prospects in the state after his junior film made the rounds and he continued to excel during spring drills and at college camps. He has continued that momentum into his senior season and he's a big reason why Cascia Hall is once again in the mix when it comes to state title contenders. In addition to being a safety, Lai has been QB1 for the Commandos for the last few seasons. And he's a dynamic athlete on the offensive side of the ball. But it's defense and specifically safety that will get Lai to the next level. And he's made plenty of plays on that side of the ball as well. Lai has been incredibly productive this season and his stock is going up in a major way.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["344120"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"We were excited to see the emergence of Deer Creek's [player_tooltip player_id='344120' first='Dale' last='Miller'] this offseason when he moved to Edmond from Alabama. He came to Oklahoma after being recruited by just about every school in the ACC and SEC. He would settle on North Carolina and was considered one of the best cornerbacks in the region. Miller came into Oklahoma and immediately became one of the top prospects at his position and in the state's overall class. After watching him again on film and in person, he definitely looks the part and we see what others have said and written about him. He's not the biggest corner but the things he does well on the field, he does very well. Deer Creek is once again in the state championship picture and having a lockdown corner like Miller will certainly help.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["91881"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"One of the more productive defensive backs over the last few seasons has been Bixby's [player_tooltip player_id='91881' first='Dylan' last='Hasz']. In addition to being an outstanding safety on defense, Hasz was an absolute X-Factor for the Spartan offense over the last two seasons. This season, it appears that Hasz is primarily being used on the defensive side of the ball. Which makes sense considering that's what he'll be playing at the next level at Arkansas. Hasz is also a prospect that is part of that stellar Bixby secondary. He and twin brother Luke are headed off to Arkansas and they are part of a solid 2023 class that has already given verbal commitments to the Razorbacks. We've always been told by Bixby coaches how much of a natural leader Hasz is and we're excited to see what's next for him.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["157457"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"While Bixby's [player_tooltip player_id='91881' first='Dylan' last='Hasz'] has transitioned to more of the defensive side of the ball, we've seen the opposite from Jenks standout [player_tooltip player_id='157457' first='Jalyn' last='Stanford']. Last year, Stanford played running back but it was mainly [player_tooltip player_id='47955' first='Jaiden' last='Carroll'] back there so Stanford could focus on defense. This year, Stanford has played more offense with Carroll missing time because of injuries. Stanford has been so consistent throughout the year and he is a big part of Jenks still being a serious state title contender despite the team going through all of the injuries. When it comes to Stanford as a prospect, he's headed to the next level to play safety and he's an excellent prospect at that position. He committed to Houston earlier this year and has remained loyal to that commitment throughout the fall.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["38778"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Del City's [player_tooltip player_id='38778' first='Kanijal' last='Thomas'] has been one of the top cornerbacks in the state since his freshman season. He had a breakout year in 2019 and has been a lockdown player ever since. We've seen Thomas quite a bit over the last three seasons and every time we do, we're convinced that if he played in a u0022recruiting hotbedu0022 state, he would have some major programs coming after him. Currently committed to Kansas State, Thomas is clearly a Power Five prospect and there's a good chance that Thomas makes a lot of programs regret not taking a harder look at him. This season, in addition to being one of the top corners in the state, Thomas has been arguably their best playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. The Eagles are a serious state title contender this year.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["57163"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"On a few of these prospect breakdowns, we've written about how undersized prospects might not be getting as much attention from schools. We've also said how the size questions are irrelevant with some of these players and here's a perfect example of that. Coweta's [player_tooltip player_id='57163' first='Mason' last='Ford'] has been not only one of the top defensive backs in the state over the last three years, he's been one of the top overall athletes. Offense, defense and special teams, Ford has been a truly dynamic player for the Tigers. He's a big reason why they currently sit in the #1 spot in the Class 5A rankings. But when it comes to Ford as a prospect and looking ahead to the next level. He is a lockdown corner and it seems like he's only gotten better and better over the last several seasons.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["38802"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Similar to a lot of the other prospects on this breakdown, Metro Christian standout [player_tooltip player_id='38802' first='Tagg' last='Campbell'] has not only been a standout on both sides of the ball, he's been a standout for a few seasons now. For a while, we weren't sure where we liked Campbell at the most when it came to projecting him as a prospect. But we've settled in on defensive back and think that he has a very bright future on that side of the ball. Campbell is a very underrated athlete and we've watched him make some plays from the safety position that has been incredibly impressive. For Metro Christian, he's been one of the leaders on a team that is contending for a state championship this season. The goal is simple and it's to end his career with a third title in four seasons.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["165365"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Another safety prospect that is committed to a Power Five school is Carl Albert's [player_tooltip player_id='165365' first='Tashawn' last='James']. We've had the opportunity to check out James in person a few times this season and every time we're more and more impressed. When it comes to the physical attributes and size of James, he immediately passes the eye test and it's very easy to see why he's one of the top safety prospects in the state and is headed to Iowa State. James and the Titans have size and speed every where on the defensive side of the ball and they'll be pushing for another Class 5A state championship this season. We have a feeling that James will be on a short list of prospects when we look back at the 2023 class and wonder why they weren't ranked even higher coming out of high school.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["115219"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"The last prospect on this breakdown is the third Bixby Spartan. We told you, the Spartans' strength on defense is in their secondary. While the first two Spartans mentioned were safeties, senior [player_tooltip player_id='115219' first='Tyson' last='Williams'] is one of the standout corners on this year's team. We've liked Williams since the offseason in between his sophomore and junior seasons. He stood out to us while playing in 7v7 tournaments with Sooner 7. It is so hard to stand out as a corner in 7v7 and like [player_tooltip player_id='57163' first='Mason' last='Ford'], Williams has been a lockdown corner for the last two offseasons. He has also showcased that he can help out a team in the return game as well throughout the year. Williams has turned into a dynamic player for the Spartans and we're expecting a spark in his recruitment over the next two months.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649a026e00685"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->