Stockrisers: 2024 DB prospects in Kentucky to watch for

Now that the 2022 season of high school football has come to a conclusion and we're in the midst of the offseason, it's time to look back at some of the top talent the Bluegrass State had to offer last year. After breaking down some intriguing offensive performers, it's time to shift our focus to the defensive side of the ball where there were more than a few standout players. Here's my list of the top 2024 defensive back prospects in the state of Kentucky to watch for this upcoming season.    [player_tooltip player_id='653371' first='Sam' last='Clements'], a 5-foot-10, 140-pound defensive back out of Lexington Catholic High School, was one of the most significant defensive performers on the Knights' roster last year, leading the team in tackles on the season. As a junior, Clements recorded 102 total tackles, including 39 solo stops, 63 assisted takedowns and five tackles for loss. Clements additionally hauled in three interceptions for a return of 35 yards. What makes Clements such an efficient weapon on defense is his size, speed, field awareness, positioning and ability to pick off some of the best quarterbacks in the state.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GfCnT">Tape:</a>    Montel Campbell, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound defensive back out of Ballard High School, was one of the strongest defensive weapons on the Bruins' roster last year. During his junior stint in the 2022 season, Campbell recorded 76 total tackles, including 34 solo stops, 42 assisted takedowns, one tackle for loss and one sack. Campbell additionally hauled in three interceptions for 12 yards and one touchdown. Campbell competes with aggression and toughness, utilizing his speed and size to consistently disrupt offenses.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2K7QAe">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='381924' first='Sam' last='Wright'], a 6-foot-2, 160-pound defensive back out of Pikeville High School, was one of the most impactful defensive performers on the Panthers' roster last year. As a junior, Wright was the fifth-best tackler on the roster, recording 74 total tackles, including 26 solo stops, 48 assisted takedowns and one tackle for loss. Wright additionally recovered one fumble and picked up one interception for 27 yards and one touchdown. In addition to his size and speed, Wright's overall aggression, awareness and positioning on the field are what made him nearly unstoppable on the defensive side of the ball last year.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GZBxE">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='381906' first='Wick' last='Dotson'], a 5-foot-10, 185-pound defensive back out of Bowling Green High School, was a huge defensive playmaker for the Purples last year as he led the team in interceptions and was the fifth-best tackler on the team. As a junior, Dotson picked up 70 total tackles, including 39 solo stops, 31 assisted takedowns and two tackles for loss. In addition to collecting five interceptions for 45 yards last season, Dotson also recovered a fumble and returned it to the house for a 16-yard score. The rising senior has great size, speed and aggression as he can muscle through the offense or interrupt the passing game with his coverage.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/15077896/6390120f4210b705280381e2">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='468474' first='Beni' last='Mwamba'], a 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back out of Dixie Heights High School, was a crucial component to the Colonels' defense last year. During his junior stint, Mwamba was one of the top tacklers on the roster, recording 36 total tackles, including 31 solo stops, five assisted takedowns and three tackles for loss. What makes Mwamba such an efficient defensive talent is his size, speed, field awareness and toughness as he can quickly disrupt offenses with his coverage down the stretch.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/16087390/6338810f4205dd048876a934">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='381889' first='Josiah' last='Eubanks'], a 6-foot-0, 190-pound defensive back out of Fern Creek High School, was a huge defensive weapon for the Tigers last season. During his junior season of high school football, Eubanks was the fourth-best tackler on the team, recording 31 total tackles, including 14 solo stops, 17 assisted takedowns, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Eubanks additionally forced one fumble last season. What makes Eubanks so efficient on defense is his quick playstyle, ability to disrupt the offense with his size and speed, and his overall awareness on the field.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/15124659/63679d98b3c8cd0ab86950a5">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='422905' first='Terrion' last='Hicks'], a 5-foot-11, 170-pound defensive back out of Frederick Douglass High School, was a gamechanger for the Broncos during his junior season of high school football last year, making significant contributions on the defensive side of the ball. This past season, Hicks recorded 23 total tackles, including 19 solo stops, four assisted takedowns and 1.5 tackles for loss. Hicks additionally forced one fumble and made a fumble recovery. With great size, speed and awareness, Hicks showcased his ability to make quick stops and disrupt the passing game with his aggressive coverage.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JzbwU">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='381878' first='Jason' last='Dunn'], a 5-foot-10, 170-pound defensive back out of St. Xavier High School, was one of the more explosive contributors on the Tigers' defense this past season. During his junior stint of high school football, Dunn picked up 20 total tackles, including 10 solo stops and 10 assisted takedowns. In addition to his outstanding size and speed, Dunn showcased his overall awareness, aggression and toughness last season as he could consistently position himself to break up passes down the stretch, and muscle past the offense to make quick tackles.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JHdjw">Tape:</a>

Now that the 2022 season of high school football has come to a conclusion and we're in the midst of the offseason, it's time to look back at some of the top talent the Bluegrass State had to offer last year. After breaking down some intriguing offensive performers, it's time to shift our focus to the defensive side of the ball where there were more than a few standout players. Here's my list of the top 2024 defensive back prospects in the state of Kentucky to watch for this upcoming season.