2024 Rankings: Nine DB Newcomers
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With the large number of high school players scattered across the state, it is no shock that some names get missed and left off the lists. The goal, however, is to continuously add as many names to the radar as possible to help garner attention toward the athletes within Colorado.It is time to look at nine newcomers to the defensive back 2024 rankings list.
A player’s recruiting influences their position in the prospect rankings, but it is extremely rare for rankings to affect recruiting. There is no one solution for keeping every high school player from slipping through the cracks. A good way to help a kid raise their prospect value in addition to attending college camps, having well-structured film, and maintaining a proactive Twitter account is to claim or create a free player profile account with Prep Redzone.
Chapa had a breakout junior season, showcasing talents that are clearly suitable for the Division I level. He is a ball-hawking free safety with the instincts and technical skills to be in the right place at the right time. His speed and physicality enable him to make plays on the ball and disrupt the receiver’s ability to make the catch or intercept the pass. Chapa has taken over the spotlight and turned heads as a trending prospect with an insanely high ceiling.
Jackson is a lockdown cornerback who has gone up against some of the best receivers in the state and proven himself to be a top prospect. His physical press-man technique starts with patience at the release and disruptive contact on the receiver’s stem. His athleticism enables him to use fluid hips and speed to keep the receiver from getting open on deep routes. Jackson’s outstanding junior season has placed him on the radar as a top-tier cornerback on a path to becoming a D1 recruit.
Guthrie is a talented safety who showcased impeccable talents during his junior campaign. He has excellent vision and instincts, enabling him to be in the correct spot at the right times. He is a downhill player whose power and pad level allow him to deliver powerful hits to his opponents. His abilities to fill in the box and play against the run or cover over the top as a single safety is a testament to his versatility. Guthrie exploded onto the radar with tremendous upside as a prospect, expect to see a significant uptick in his recruiting.
Highlights
McKiever is a scrappy corner with outstanding man-to-man coverage skills. He is the type of athlete who plays until the whistle, ensuring that he gives full effort on each rep. His size, physicality, and ability to squeeze routes to his help make him a viable option to potentially play in the nickel position at the next level. McKiever’s junior season ended with another state championship and real estate on the prospect radar.
Martinez is a safety who excels in underneath situations, making him a viable option for the role of a robber who can help against the run game. He does a fantastic job at coming downhill and initiating contact with his opponents. His ability to flow with the quarterback’s progressions allows him to stay over the top of the routes, forcing the quarterback to choose the underneath option or force a bad throw. Martinez is an under-the-radar type of player who has the potential to emerge as a steal for a program.
Highlights
Vegas is a player with the height and frame that makes him an immediate standout on the field. His long wingspan and physicality help him in press-man situations, but he looks to have more success as an off-corner playing over top. He is the type of defensive back that will probably start getting looks as a potential safety at the college level. His stride allows him to cover ground quickly and his height gives him the advantage over most receivers in jump-ball situations. Vegas is another low-flyer on the radar, but expect that to change this fall.
LaBrie is another tall defensive back with raw talents and a versatile skill set. He has a very competitive playing style with the right amount of physicality. He does a great job at playing within zone coverages. He stays aware of threats leaving and entering his zone and transitions accordingly. His length and heightened awareness level in zone coverage make him another high school corner with the potential of playing safety in college. LaBrie is a player on pace to break out as a recruit with a rising stock value this offseason, making him one to watch.
Highlights
McClarity is a phenomenal young man who has reclassed to complete his high school time in December after half of his junior year and the majority of his original senior year were put on hold due to a bout with cancer. He is a highly talented safety who completed his junior season as a top-five defensive back before his diagnosis sidelined him for his senior season. Even though he was forced into a hiatus, his work ethic has never wavered. McClarity is already back to the weight he had prior to his diagnosis and is poised to put on an outstanding performance this fall. This will be a comeback story for the state to rally behind.
Highlights
Larson is a scrappy player who is a newcomer to the radar altogether. He is a very raw safety with significant potential. His competitive playing style and unmatched physicality give him an advantage over his opponents. He has impressive instincts that enable him to make plays on the ball in the air or break on time and make serious contact with the receiver. Larson’s size and scrappiness make a him viable option for a program in search of nickel corner, putting him in a must-watch situation.