#TN2024 Scouting: Junior Breakout Defensive Backs

The regular season has concluded and while we still have games to play, it's time to start looking ahead into next year's recruiting class and which players have taken a step forward this season and pushed their stock higher.    Note - More and new players will be added to our Def. Back database over the coming months, so stay tuned to #PRZTN for additions and changes.      [player_tooltip player_id='258805' first='Brandon' last='Nicholson'] (6'0 180) - MUS   - Coming into his junior season, Nicholson was viewed as a two-way talent that could excel at multiple positions but now this West Tennessee product is considered one of the best defensive back prospects in the state, with several Power Five schools in pursuit. Nicholson is a fluid, natural athlete that transitions his feet and hips very well when chasing the ball and does a good job of playing his receiver without being handsy. The Owls junior prospect shows the potential and upside to stay on the outside in college at cornerback while also having the versatility to play nickel or safety as well.    Because of his ability to play cover corner, Nicholson has started to see his recruitment soar as he holds offers from the likes of Florida St., Indiana, Memphis, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and others with more big time programs interested. This defensive talent is the kind of recruit that can reach national status before it's all said and done as I expect Nicholson to be one of the top recruited prospects in the state.    Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11510512/63306b53da52310934210b12">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11510512/63306b53da52310934210b12</a>   -------------   [player_tooltip player_id='289545' first='Nigel' last='Maynard'] (6'0 170) - Stewarts Creek   - The recruiting profile for Maynard has been growing and growing over the past five months and I don't expect that to stop anytime soon, especially after displaying tremendous abilities at cornerback this season as a junior. Athleticism, length and versatility are three key traits that makeup Maynard's skill set and all three of those play up very well on the next level at cover corner. That's why this Red Hawks defensive back has the offers he does as well as other big time power programs on his trail.    Probably the biggest factor of why Maynard holds offers from Central Michigan, Memphis, Michigan, Pittsburgh and others is because of his ability to play man to man defense on the outside and the upside to become even better inside the college game. Maynard has as much potential as any defensive back prospect from our 2024 class, so expect to hear his name much more going forward.    Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11571239/631b83775ef69509d0dafc00">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11571239/631b83775ef69509d0dafc00</a>   --------------   [player_tooltip player_id='149393' first='Devin' last='Rutherford'] (5'11 175) - Bartlett   - The Panthers sport one of the best secondaries in the state and Rutherford is a major reason for that statement as he locks down receivers on a consistent basis. This athletic and feisty defender has been making plays and shutting down the opposition for two years now and he keeps getting better every time he steps out on the field. Rutherford is a ball hawk. He simply has a nose for the ball, whether that's picking it off and breaking up passes. This Memphis area prospect is one of the more polished defensive backs we have in the 2024 class, so whoever signs this guy will be getting a steal.    Alabama St. and Western Ky are the only offers at the moment for Rutherford but I expect that to change over the next few months when college coaches start diving deeper into his junior film. What those coaches will see is a guy who has the upside to stay outside at cornerback but also slide over to nickel or back to safety if needed. His versatility is a big selling point and this is a worker, so he will only get better as he continues to mature.    Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11395849/631673e35cb3e3051436a27e">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11395849/631673e35cb3e3051436a27e</a>   --------------   [player_tooltip player_id='316773' first='Dominic' last='Reed'] (6'1 190) - Centennial   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/domreed2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-465658" width="416" height="278"/></figure>   - This has been a breakout season to this point for Reed as he is establishing himself as not only one of the best safety prospects from the Mid-Tennessee region but also the entire state as well. Sporting great size, arm length and natural athletic abilities, Reed is a well put together young man that can run and play the back end well but also come up in run support. He is a rangy guy that uses his instincts and foot speed well to track down the ball and make a play on it. Reed is a true combo safety that provides a lot of value to the secondary and the great thing is that he is still learning the game.    The Cougars junior safety is a two sport star, excelling on the basketball court as well but he is now putting a lot of focus on his football future, so the more he keeps working, the better his recruiting stock will be. Reed has yet to receive his 1st offer but I feel as college coaches are able to break down his film, they will see a big, physical and athletic ball hawk with big potential that fits well on the next level.    Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14667039/63168d2b02b148025c78f0c4">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14667039/63168d2b02b148025c78f0c4</a>   --------------   [player_tooltip player_id='360065' first='D'Mon' last='Marable'] (6'1 185) - Clinton   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/dmonmarable.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-453470" width="296" height="296"/></figure>   - Marable has been one of the more consistent, high end producers at the safety position in this state throughout the 2022 season and he is still learning how to play, so his ceiling looks quite high. The Dragons ask Marable to deliver in several ways on defense from making plays on the back end to coming up and either stopping the run or rushing the passer. This East Tennessee product is a do-everything style of defensive back that could develop and stay at true safety or grow into that “Star” player who can cover and work against the run.    College interest is there for Marable but he has yet to receive that first offer. That's ok because those offers will arrive, especially after the kind of season he has had thus far as a junior. The Dragons defender has displayed good athletic abilities, consistently putting himself around the ball while also being a playmaker and those are the kind of traits collegiate coaches look for.    Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15294897/630f87f14bb23506e0691e6d">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15294897/630f87f14bb23506e0691e6d</a>   --------------   [player_tooltip player_id='301382' first='Kameron' last='Herring'] (6'1 175) - Collierville    - Herring has been a steady, consistent performer throughout this entire season for one of the best defenses in the state and he will only get better as he gets bigger and more mature in his coverage abilities. Sporting nice height and length, Herring is an intriguing talent due to his physical traits but also his ability to possibly stay outside in college at cover corner. The Dragons junior defensive back has shown this season the ability to run and cover on the outside, smothering receivers but also make plays on the ball as well.    Recruiting has yet to take fire for Herring but that will change very soon. This Memphis area product has a bevy of programs interested in his abilities and have been paying attention to his progress throughout his junior season, so it's a matter of time before Herring finally sees those offers come through. His ability to play outside at cornerback along with his football smarts and high motor will give Herring a shot at making it to the highest level of college football.    Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17616317/631912b5bee16614e061054a">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17616317/631912b5bee16614e061054a</a>   -------------   [player_tooltip player_id='237052' first='Thomas' last='Jones'] (5'11 175) - Smyrna   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/thomjones-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-499601" width="292" height="292"/></figure>   - The Bulldogs of Smyrna are having a banner year this season and Jones has been a major factor in that cause as he has been a big component on both sides of the ball but has looked especially stout over on defense at cornerback. A track guy with blazing speed, Jones has tons of upside as he sports a lot of the traits you want to develop into a lockdown cover corner on the collegiate level. He is smart, savvy, flexible with his lower base and the dude can run. Jones is a natural athlete that is still learning the position but his potential as a possible cover corner is too large for college coaches to look past.    Eastern Ky was the first school to get on board with Jones but they won't be the last. Many other FCS schools have been showing interest this Fall but I feel bigger programs from the D1 level will start getting involved sooner than later as Jones' speed is too good to overlook. Watch out for this Mid-Tennessee product going forward as Jones could become a recruiting breakout star over the offseason months.    Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14778897/633ba505386387045045bc16">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14778897/633ba505386387045045bc16</a>   -------------   [player_tooltip player_id='301354' first='Kollin' last='Collier'] (6'1 175) - Briarcrest Christian   - If you are looking for a high end competitor with the height and length to play multiple positions within your secondary, Collier is your guy. The Saints junior defensive back has been building buzz and a strong stock for himself for a little more than a year now and this junior season, Collier has taken that stock to another level as he has displayed lock down abilities on the outside and the upside to stay there on the college level.    He is an aggressive, football smart guy that shows nice footwork and the hips to turn and run. Collier has the length and wide radius to engulf receivers but is also willing to come up and play against the run. So far through his recruitment, Collier has added offers from Alabama St. and Yale but many others are keeping in touch and paying attention to his progress. After coaches are able to look over his junior film, I expect to see many schools get involved with offers and turn this West Tennessee product into a wanted guy and one of the more heavily recruited defensive back prospects from our in-state 2024 class.    Highlights:   --------------   [player_tooltip player_id='332310' first='Marcellus' last='Barnes, Jr'] (6'0 175) - McCallie   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/10/mbarnes.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-489928" width="279" height="279"/></figure>   - McCallie consistently puts out college players each and every year and Barnes, Jr will be one of the more heavily pursued prospects under the Blue Tornado banner throughout the 2024 cycle. Already holding an offer from Vanderbilt, Barnes, Jr is a talented guy that shows on film the ability to play cover corner inside the college game but also the versatility to play anywhere in the secondary if needed. He is a strong, physically well built young man that has quick, active feet as well as the savvy mindfulness to constantly make plays on the ball.    The biggest thing that stands out about Barnes, Jr when watching his film is his instincts and football smarts. He tends to make the right calls, the right adjustments to either break up passes or stop a receiver on a short gain. His attention to detail along with his upside for cornerback, make him an intriguing talent that college coaches will fall in love with because of his versatility and high football IQ.    Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14596933/6355f5a13deb72050ce1600b">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14596933/6355f5a13deb72050ce1600b</a>   ------------   [player_tooltip player_id='316766' first='Jabari' last='Jackson'] (6'1 165) - Germantown   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/jabjackson-crop-400x263-1667405119.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-499603" width="341" height="223"/></figure>   - This is an under the radar talent that may soon break through that wall into star status the more he is looked at because Jackson is legit and someone that I feel will create major buzz over the offseason months. Aggressive, fast and athletic, Jackson is an exciting player to watch on film and someone that translates well to the next level due his physical nature and versatility. This is also someone that shows upside to possibly play outside at cornerback as he has the ability to play man to man coverage, which is a valued college trait.    Jackson still has a ways to go before he becomes a finished product but if you look at how he has played this junior season, you can see someone that is maturing into a legit recruitable prospect that may have the potential to reach the D1 level. The coming playoffs will be interesting to see how Jackson competes and goes up against some talented receivers and how he wants to keep building his stock as we head into the offseason.    Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17727497/635f3aa1688fbe042c975bb1">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17727497/635f3aa1688fbe042c975bb1</a>     Others to Know: [player_tooltip player_id='372307' first='Jayden' last='Hines'] - West Creek, [player_tooltip player_id='285355' first='Choosen' last='Lokombe'] - McCallie, [player_tooltip player_id='149845' first='Kaleb' last='Martin'] - Rhea Co., [player_tooltip player_id='207329' first='Jackson' last='Lowe'] - Brentwood, [player_tooltip player_id='480634' first='Syrus' last='Satterwhite'] - Smyrna, [player_tooltip player_id='433143' first='Jace' last='Williamson'] - Lipscomb Acad.

The regular season has concluded and while we still have games to play, it's time to start looking ahead into next year's recruiting class and which players have taken a step forward this season and pushed their stock higher.