Class of ‘24: Strength of the Class Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The bonus coverage for the recent Class of '24 Player Rankings update rolls on. Now that we've identified the third strongest position group from this upcoming senior class, the reveal for the second group is next. This class is rich with talent on the defensive side of the ball. Especially in the secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top of this position group has been drawing serious D-I interest as of late. But, with 11 defensive backs ranked inside the Top 100, and 13 total in the class, there are plenty of ballhawks for recruiters to go after. Folks may have thought the Class of '23 had an impressive group of defensive backs, but this class has the potential to be even better. Here's a look at four members that make up this loaded position group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["415256"],"_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThis off-season we've highlighted a few of Bishop Miege's unsung hero's from their 2022 state championship squad. But we've yet to highlight the play of rising defender, [player_tooltip player_id='415256' first='Jack' last='Baird']. After filling in at corner his sophomore year, Baird took on more of a hybrid role this past season. He lined up in the box quite a bit, but he was one of Miege's top defenders in coverage. The Stags' coaching staff did a great job of utilizing Baird's ball skills, while also developing him into a solid defender against the run. Baird makes winning plays, and he proved that in the 4A state title game. He's likely to be one of the top defenders in the EKL this season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["415415"],"_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWhile this position group is predominantly headlined by safeties, [player_tooltip player_id='415415' first='Elijah' last='Porter'] of Gardner-Edgerton is a corner recruiters should look into. Porter isn't the typical undersized corner. Despite being one of the smaller defensive backs in this class, he's without a doubt one of the most physical. He plays with a chip on his shoulder, and it shows when he's matched up against taller receivers. Porter is a corner that displays good awareness in zone coverage, and he can be trusted on an island in man coverage. He's also a dangerous return man once the ball gets in his hands. Elijah was an u003cemu003eAll-League Honorable Mentionu003c/emu003e pick as a junior, but should compete for a u003ciu003e1st Team u003c/iu003eselection as a senior.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["543074"],"_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eBlue Valley Northwest's upcoming 2023 squad boasts some intriguing prospects. It will be headlined by a few D-I targets, but folks shouldn't forget about [player_tooltip player_id='543074' first='Colin' last='Matile']. It hasn't been highlighted much, but the junior was quietly one of Northwest's top defenders last season. Matile tied for the team lead in total tackles with 84, and he finished the season with five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He falls into a similar category as [player_tooltip player_id='415256' first='Jack' last='Baird']. Both played some snaps in the box last season, and both were relied on heavily in coverage. Matile is a pest to pass-catchers. He displays smooth hips in coverage and does an excellent job of breaking on passes. With several recruiters sure to be in attendance to see the Huskies play this season, Matile could steal the show on defense.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["146117"],"_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThere may not be a player with a bigger chip on their shoulder heading into the '23 campaign than [player_tooltip player_id='146117' first='CJ' last='Felder'] of Maize. When the Class of '24 rankings first dropped in May of 2021, Felder initially entered as a quarterback prospect. Fast forward to this past fall, Felder earned a starting job at corner for the Eagles. This switch would not only benefit the Eagles' defense, but Felder as well. He ended his junior year with 49 total tackles, four interceptions and 10 pass breakups. There's still room to grow for Felder, but those are strong numbers for a player transitioning to a new position and being a first-year starter. With this off-season to improve, Felder could become an u003cemu003eAll-Leagueu003c/emu003e caliber corner as a senior.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-641482a2d8f21"} /-->