Shutdown Secondary Stars
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The top teams in the state are lucky to have some of the best defensive backs playing for their programs. These four secondary players helped their team reach the state championship games. Dayton Runyan || DB || 6’1 || 180…
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Continue ReadingThe top teams in the state are lucky to have some of the best defensive backs playing for their programs. These four secondary players helped their team reach the state championship games.
Dayton Runyan || DB || 6’1 || 180 || Farmington High School || 2024
In a game loaded with stars, Runyan was the best player on the field in last Thursday’s game between the Phoenix and Corner Canyon Chargers. Runyan had two interceptions and broke up a touchdown in the Phoneix’s final game. He mossed a Chargers receiver for one of his interceptions and made a great play grabbing the low sailing ball for another pick. Runyan is an elite safety, and the stats don’t do enough to show just how impactful he truly is. He’s a good athlete who also had a significant kickoff return to set up the Phoenix offense.
Kadiyon Sweat Kadiyon Sweat 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Lehi | 2023 State UT || DB || 6’0 || 185 || Lehi High School || 2023
Sweat is outstanding in coverage and showed the world just how good he is with two interceptions in the Pioneer’s Semifinals win. He does a great job reading quarterbacks and making plays on the ball in the air. Sweat has excellent hands and is a genius when it comes to figuring out what an offense is trying to do. He never lets receivers get behind him and has the speed to help out everywhere on the field. Sweat is one of the state’s best athletes and was just rewarded for his outstanding play with an offer from Weber State.
Smith Snowden Smith Snowden 5'9" | 170 lbs | DB Skyridge | 2023 State UT || DB || 5’10 || 175 || Skyridge High School || 2023
The Bingham Miners had worked it into the red zone on their first drive of the game against Skyridge. The Falcon’s defense needed a big play, and the state’s top corner made it. Snowden picked off an errant pass and showed off his elite speed as he returned it 92 yards to the house. Snowden only logged one tackle because he was simply dominant on the outside. The quick corner does not yield an inch of operation and shuts down half the field.
Haven Halliday || DB || 5’11 || 175 || Timpview High School || 2024
Halliday was essential in limiting the Orem offense in the Thunderbird’s dominant win. He finished with 10 tackles and an interception in a star-studded performance. Halliday is an elite athlete who has a high Football IQ. He takes excellent angles and knows how to use the hit stick when he reaches ball carriers. Halliday does a great job turning runs back inside and rarely misses a tackle. In the open field, he has the closing speed to chase down pass catchers and, in coverage, does a great job reading quarterbacks’ eyes.