2024 Sleepers in the Secondary
Old school football fans can find every reason to be upset about the spread offenses we see in college today. However, one positive outcome to the ever-evolving college game is that it gives more defensive backs an opportunity to get…
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Continue ReadingOld school football fans can find every reason to be upset about the spread offenses we see in college today. However, one positive outcome to the ever-evolving college game is that it gives more defensive backs an opportunity to get on the field. Personnel packages need to have a fifth DB in the form of an inside cover guy or hybrid safety. In this article I detail why several prospects’ skillsets should lead to an uptick in their recruitment before the summer gets going.
Asra Smith Asra Smith 5’10” | 175 lbs | DB Glendale | 2024 MO is an experienced defensive back for Glendale High School. Glendale has a highly recruited defensive end but look for Asra to be one of the other Falcon defenders on coaches’ list as they hit the recruiting trail.
Asra shows good awareness playing the quarterback’s eyes when covering a deep zone from a free safety alignment. Asra’s quick change of direction gets displayed breaking on balls in zone coverage and mirroring ball carriers in the open field before contact. Safety versatility gets highlighted by physicality and a desire to fill in the run game from a deep free safety alignment.
Highlights
Omero Inda
Omero Inda
Omero Inda is a versatile defensive back for Willard High Schol. With experience ranging from corner to outside linebacker, Omero should have no problem fitting in as a hybrid safety at the next level.
Good versatility for $LB shows with active hands and natural instincts in the box. Good length and ball skills shows attacking the catchpoint with urgency from an off man alignment. Omero’s size and strength shows disrupting bubble screens by stunning lead blocking wide receivers with his punch; Good physicality shows shedding and finishing the tackle before the receiver hits the line of scrimmage.
Kaleb Mays Kaleb Mays 5’8″ | 160 lbs | DB Lutheran-St. Charles | 2024 State MO is a two-way prospect for Lutheran High School. Good reactive athleticism as a ball carrier helps Kaleb’s projection as an inside cover guy. Watch for coaches to overlook Kaleb’s height and focus on the tape that shows ideal coverage skills for a nickelback.
Kaleb’s fluid athleticism shows changing direction at the top of routes in man coverage. Kaleb’s next level top gear shows scoring as a wide receiver on underneath routes and taking kick returns to the house. Good tracking ability and dexterity as a wide receiver translates to ball skills as a corner, while physicality at the catchpoint helps overcome lack of height.
Michael Larry Jr.
Michael Larry Jr.
Michael Larry Jr. is a fast-rising cornerback out of Independence, MO. Mike projects to nickelback, but don’t be surprised when his sharpened skillset allows him to overcome concerns about his height and thrive outside as a true cornerback.
Burst & next level reactive athleticism shows attacking bubbles and other underneath routes with an explosive change of direction. Mike’s strength and toughness shows winning both in press at the line of scrimmage and disrupting the catchpoint versus taller wide receivers. Instincts and awareness shown in zone coverage shows Mike can do more than play man aligned inside versus slot receivers.
Byron Miller
Byron Miller
Byron Miller is a wide receiver and safety for St. Charles High School. With good size for the next level look for Byron to transition well to either safety spot in the secondary.
Byron’s strength shows in his finish versus bigger ball carriers. Byron shows quick feet and a smooth change of direction mirroring receivers in off man coverage. Good awareness shows breaking on balls in his vicnity where he is not targeted. Instincts shown during scramble drills and aggresiveness as a tackler have college coaches excited about Byron’s potential as a versatile safety at the next level.
Jayvius Smith
Jayvius Smith
Jayvius Smith is a veteran cornerback for Park Hill South. Jayvius was invited to a junior day at the University of Miami in Ohio. He also has been invited to a series of camps this summer stretching from the Ivy League to the University of Kansas; Keep an eye on Jayvius’ first offer to come out of a busy summer ahead.
Jayvius shows his range breaking up passes as a safety from a deep middle or third responsibility. Good awareness shows reading quarterbacks’ eyes and picking the ball off from underneath zones. Jayvius shows good physicality in press and strength disrupting receivers’ timing at the top of routes; Coaches like seeing Jayvius’ physicality combine with good length to disrupt the catchpoint versus taller wide receivers.
Jordyn Robinson Jordyn Robinson 6’1″ | 175 lbs | WR Raytown | 2024 State MO is a two-way starter for Raytown High School. With long speed showing eating up DBs’ cushion as a receiver, Jordyn should have no problem running down the sidelines on either side of the ball. Jordyn has visited Washburn, Iowa State, and Kansas State, with intentions to visit Kansas next month, according to his Twitter account. I hope to see Jordyn come out of his travels with more than one offer before next season hits.
Next level burst and a fluid change of direction shows as Jordyn quickly turns to get in phase from a press man alignment. Strength shows disrupting receivers with his jam and stalk blocking as a receiver. Good acceleration shows in zone coverage breaking on receivers in the flat, while Jordyn’s power gets displayed running through recipients of underneath throws.