2026: Dynamic Defensive Backs
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These four players are our highest-ranked defensive backs in the class of 2024 for their ability to control the backend and bring down ball carriers. Denzel Peoples Denzel Peoples 5'11" | 155 lbs | DB Bingham | 2026 State UT…
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Continue ReadingThese four players are our highest-ranked defensive backs in the class of 2024 for their ability to control the backend and bring down ball carriers.
Denzel Peoples Denzel Peoples 5'11" | 155 lbs | DB Bingham | 2026 State UT || DB || 5’11 || 155 || Bingham High School || 2026
Peoples shined at safety for the Miners in 2022. His ability to read and react to plays is something most seniors don’t even possess. Peoples is an exceptional athlete who can make up ground quickly in the passing and running games. He does a great job reading quarterbacks and has good ball skills he uses to create big plays. He saved numerous touchdowns as the last line of defense for the Miners last season. Peoples is exceptional in coverage, but he can also play in the box to help contain rushing attacks. He takes good angles when making tackles and does a good job wrapping up.
Hugh Matsumori Hugh Matsumori 5'9" | 160 lbs | DB Olympus | 2026 State UT || DB || 5’7 || 150 || Olympus High School || 2026
Matsumori is a physical defensive back in the best kind of way. He loves to hit and is a strong tackler. Matsumori moves well on the outside and can easily go through or around receivers trying to block him to make plays in the run game. He has good hips and can change direction in the blink of an eye. Matsumori sticks to receivers like glue and allows little to no separation. In addition, he plays both ways at running back, where he gets a ton of carries and takes a beating yet still provides outstanding coverage for all 48 minutes.
Noah Syphus Noah Syphus 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Stansburry | 2026 State UT || DB || 6’1 || 180 || Stansbury High School || 2026
Syphus is a game-changer every time he takes the field. He does a great job picking up receivers as they cross his face, and if quarterbacks throw an errant pass, Syphus can take them the other way. The 6’1 defensive back possesses good speed and hands. He also has long arms he uses to bat passes away. Syphus does a great job timing his pass breakups to disorient receivers at just the right time to not draw a pass interference. In addition, he hits like a truck and stops receivers or running backs dead in their tracks.
Iseale Arocha || DB || 5’8 || 125 || Ben Lomond High School || 2026
Iseale is an elite athlete who flies around the field to make plays. He does a great job reading and recovering on RPOs if he needs to drop back into coverage. Iseale can get in receiver’s faces in press man or shut them down in off-man coverage. He has quick feet that allow him to mirror wide-outs movements. In addition, he’s a fluid athlete with good hips. Iseale uses his hands incredibly well, whether it’s knocking balls away or intercepting passes. He’s also an explosive returner who can set his offense up with excellent field position every time he touches the turf.