High Steppers Class of 2023: Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The High Stepper Series will spotlight players who are ready to hit the field and contribute early at their perspective universities. Today we will take look at some the top ranked defensive backs in the class of 2023. The majority of these players have signed or committed to their college homes heading into the 2023 season. Texas is a hotbed for recruiting for universities around the country. Here are several players who will make an immediate impact when they step on campus.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["258572"],"_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":"u003cemu003eMalik is ready to make an impact as soon as he sets foot on the u0022Forty Acresu0022 in Austin. The University of Texas signee, has a long at athletic frame at 6'0 170, that will allow him to add bulk to his frame. His extended reach, superb footwork, and violent hands in press coverage, enables him to alter receivers routes routinely. Muhammad changes directions quickly, transitions into his backpedal smoothly and his suddenness enables him to close in on his opponents to shut down passing lanes. Malik is coming off of back to back state championships at South Oak Cliff and will bring that winning pedigree to the Longhorn secondary, which will allow him to have a chance to see early playing time in Austin.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["136181"],"_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":"u003cemu003eToviano checks off all the boxes in the measurables department and passes the eye test for a top defensive back prospect. At 6'1 185 pounds, he has an extended wing span, strong, powerful hands, that he uses effectively in press-man coverage and he has the ability to plant and go quickly once the receivers declare their route. Javien has muscular, broad shoulders, he has a thick lower trunk, which leaves plenty of room for him to continue to add mass to his frame. His backpedal is fluid and he shows good patience as he mirrors the receiver with good eye discipline. He plays with great leverage and he comes up in run support keeping his shoulders square and he is a sure tackler in the open field. Although he lined up primarily at cornerback, he could blossom into the safety position and he has the physical traits that enables him to be penciled in on the back end. The LSU signee has the potential to hit the ground running in Baton Rouge and see some playing time.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["258573"],"_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":"u003cemu003eBowen is the top safety in the class of 2023 and has lived up to high expectations during his career at Denton Guyer. Peyton is a flat out playmaker no matter where he lines up. He has great speed to cover ground quickly, he sees the field extremely well with superb eye discipline, that puts him in position to make plays routinely and when he gets his hands on the football, he can make a house call from any distance on the football field. Bowen is a sudden athlete, who shows great burst, he has elite body control and took ample snaps at receiver, multiple positions in the secondary and was a special teams ace in the return game for Guyer. Peyton has the skill set to step in day one at Oklahoma and be in the two deep depth chart at safety.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["258578"],"_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":"u003cemu003eDemery is an explosive athlete with a strong, compact build and the skill set to step on the University of Mississippi campus and contend for playing time early. A powerful, sure tackler, who shows the versatility to come down in the box at strong safety or step in the slot and cover receivers or lock up running backs out of the backfield. Daniel occasionally, during his time at Parish Episcopal, saw time on the offensive side of the football, showing excellent burst, with the speed at receiver to create separation and the ability to plant, go and get vertical quickly. Demery could get some early looks on special teams as returner. While at Praish, he lined up deep and made several house calls during his career. He has an extremely high ceiling and has everyone down in Oxford excited for his arrival on campus.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["60887"],"_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":"u003cemu003eMathis will be one of the great steals in the 2023 recruiting cycle and whichever program he chooses will reap the benefits early. He has a lengthy, long build, with extended arm length, that enables him to play the pass lanes extremely well. Mathis has aggressive, active hands at the point of attack and stays engaged with the receiver in press-man coverage, making it difficult to complete passes in his vicinity. Caimon comes up in run support under control, he plays with great leverage and is a sure tackler in the open field. For his senior campaign, he finished the season with 53 total tackles, 29 solo tackles, 19 PBUs and 4 interceptions to help lead Desoto to a 6A D-II state title. In a highly anticipated early season matchup with 5A D-II Champion South Oak Cliff, Mathis showed off his excellent ball skills, quickness and long speed, when he stepped in front of a pass for a pick six for 98 yards. His high football IQ and his excellent coverage skills, will give him the opportunity to challenge for playing time when he hits campus.u003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d41a4c4598e"} /-->