Dakotas Top Uncommitted DB's (2023)

Finally rounding off the Defensive side of the ball with the Defensive Backs. I like DB's because they have become more valuable in today's brand of the game. They are the last line of defense if something breaks down in the interior. Usually, they are pretty fast, some are agile, some can jump, a few of them are brilliant when it comes to knowing the game. Put that all together and you have a really good athlete right there. Each kid on this list represents each of those assets, check them out here below!   [player_tooltip player_id='273642' first='Tim' last='Bishop']- Harrisburg, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2K2htc">Highlights</a>   Bishop is a very physical DB. He is also very good at controlling his zone in coverage. I really like how at the snap of the ball, he gets to his zone quickly and stays in perfect position for coverage. He also is the best last line of defense on the perimeter. I like how he runs through his blocker while still keeping his outside arm free. Once he sheds the block, he does a good job using his shoulder pad to hit the ballcarrier, then wrap up and finish the tackle. His change in direction and recovery speed helps him stick with any receiver on any route. Lastly, he plays the ball in the air perfectly to break up the play cleanly.   [player_tooltip player_id='403510' first='Deegan' last='Houska']- Pierre, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jr75N">Highlights</a>   Houska played well all the way around the secondary, Safety or at Nickel. He did an excellent job finding his receiver and sticking with him on the route. Running with the receiver step for step, playing perfect technique in coverage and breaking up passes cleanly. When he sits back in deep coverage, he does a great job reading the QB and finding the flow of the play to be in perfect position to make a play. His 'it' factor is his tackling ability in the open field, or in traffic. I like his pad level and technique in making his tackles.   [player_tooltip player_id='101182' first='Aiden' last='Heimann']- Aberdeen Central,<a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jid9i"> Highlights</a>   Heimann is a perfect zone coverage corner. He sits in his zone and gets enough depth in his drops to coverage multiple receivers in the area. His speed helps him cover the ground he needs to make plays on the ball in the air. He uses his long levers to break up passes without getting flagged. His positioning on combo routes is nearly perfect every time, he finds the most dangerous receiver and blankets him. His peripheral vision works great when he's watching the QB, but can still see his receiver and keep in perfect position to make plays. Lastly, his lateral movement works well in his pass drops, covering a lot of ground quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='89290' first='Hudson' last='Flom']- Grand Forks Red River, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JpZCU">Highlights</a>   I wrote about Flom a couple weeks ago, hoping a good program swipes him here real quick. Like earlier, he is an absolute game change on defense. I see offenses running usually pretty successful route combos, then I see Flom putting himself right in the middle of it and messing it all up. Great awareness and vision to sit himself in perfect position and see everything in his zone. His reaction time and speed when breaking on the ball makes it very easy for him to make plays on passes. Lastly, his big 'it' factor makes him a bulldog, his physicality. No matter the size of the offensive player, he is going to hit him, hard.   [player_tooltip player_id='161256' first='Will' last='Cleveland']- McCook Central/Montrose, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JkgcY">Highlights</a>   Cleveland is a kid I came across when he was a Sophomore. I really enjoyed watching his film each year and seeing the improvement. In his Senior Season, he showed a lot of poise in the defensive backfield. He seemed to know the offensive tendencies in each game and found a way to be disruptive for each team. Not being a flashy type of athlete, he just did his job on every play and executed it every time. Didn't come in to drill the ballcarrier every play, instead made the sure-handed tackle in open space. I liked how once his drop was done, he had the play figured out and reacted properly.   [player_tooltip player_id='161258' first='Tyree' last='Shorter']- Sioux Falls Lincoln, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12810031/637274e65b3cab0e80555811">Highlights</a>   I like Shorter's versatility on the defensive side. He has an excellent back pedal, with lots of speed, balance and gets a lot of depth. His change in direction gets him in the prime position at the right time. I like his speed to stay step for step with his receiver, and then his break jump jump the route to break up the play. He has great awareness to recognize whether his receiver is going for a route, or blocking for the short game. He keeps himself in the best position to do his job. Lastly, his physicality and tackling ability makes him a good defender to be put in the box on running formations.

Finally rounding off the Defensive side of the ball with the Defensive Backs. I like DB's because they have become more valuable in today's brand of the game. They are the last line of defense if something breaks down in the interior. Usually, they are pretty fast, some are agile, some can jump, a few of them are brilliant when it comes to knowing the game. Put that all together and you have a really good athlete right there. Each kid on this list represents each of those assets, check them out here below!