2023: Difference Making Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Utah is filled with explosive playmakers. Slowing them down is a challenging task, but these defensive backs were up for the challenge all season long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406883' first='Ruben' last='Otuafi'] || DB || 6'0 || 160 || Corner Canyon High School || 2023</strong> <br>Otuafi shut down receivers game after game for the Chargers. He can play any type of coverage and has excellent instincts. Otuafi is comfortable jamming and playing press man or sitting back in off coverage. He does a good job undercutting routes and jumping them. In addition, he's a good tackler who's willing to mix it up around the line of scrimmage. Otuafi tracks the ball incredibly well and always seems to get a hand up to tip a ball away at just the right time. He's an elite athlete who sticks to receivers like glue. Otuafi is everything a team is looking for in a lockdown corner on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='532623' first='Brevin' last='Hamblin'] || DB || 6'5 || 190 || Syracuse High School || 2023 </strong><br>Hamblin was one-half of one of the state's top safety duos. He's an elite playmaker at the safety position who can make plays on the backend or around the line of scrimmage. Hamblin can make improbable interceptions and does an outstanding job reading quarterbacks eyes. He's an absolute ball hawk on the backend who has the speed to break up long passes. In addition, he hits like a truck and comes flying in to make tackles at high speeds. Hamblin takes good angles and does a good job avoiding offensive linemen before making tackles for loss. Hamblin will be a force to be reckoned with at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='532635' first='Elias' last='Parkinson'] || DB || 6'1 || 185 || Layton High School || 2023 </strong><br>Parkinson is an elite athlete who can run with the state's top deep threats. He has excellent hips and does a good job making plays on the ball in the air. Parkinson has good hands and can make quarterbacks pay on any errant throw. His footwork is sharp, and he often runs routes better than the receivers he's covering. Parkinson is physical without committing penalties and never backs down from a challenge. He plays both ways and doesn't wear down. Parkinson allowed little to no separation and was one of the state's elite corners in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406950' first='Daxton' last='Faddis'] || DB || 5'11 || 200 || Syracuse High School || 2023 </strong><br>We mentioned Hamblin was one half of the Titan's elite safety duo, Faddis is the other. The 5'11 defensive back does an excellent job closing on poor throws. He has great hands that help him create turnovers and deflect passes at an elite level. Faddis can go through or around blockers to make plays in the backfield. His play recognition is outstanding, and his speed helps him keep offenses in check. Faddis can cover pass catchers and does a good job sitting back and taking away the back half of the field. The senior balled out in his senior year and will do so again at the next level in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->