Under The Radar 2024 DBs To Know

Matt DeBary March 28, 2023 @ 03:30 PM

If there's one position group deeper and more talented in Georgia than the defensive backfield, I haven't seen it. The state of loaded with easy D1-caliber defensive backs, but there are still plenty who are flying under the radar.   Jadyn Thompson - Carrollton   The Carrollton Trojans are one of the top 7A programs in the state right now, and they are loaded across the board on both sides of the ball. They have playmakers all over the place, and they have a true ball-hawk at safety in junior, Jadyn Thompson. A rangy safety who covers a ton of ground in the back end, the West Georgia defense has a true nose for thee football and knows how to make a play on the ball in the air. The Trojan defensive back picked off five passes last year, making it difficult for opposing quarterbacks to test Carrollton down the field. He tracks the ball well in the air, and if he can get his hands on it, he's coming down with the ball. As good as he is in coverage, Thompson is also a sound run defender who knows how to strike the ball-carrier. He's a turnover machine, and he's a big reason why Carrollton made it all the way to the 7A state championship last year. He has a long frame at 6-foot-2 180-pounds and knows how to run. He made D1-caliber plays as a junior last year, and he's likely to do it again as a senior for Carrollton next fall.     Max Owens - Heritage   One of the more underrated two-way players in North Georgia last year, the Ringold native was effective no matter where he was lined up last year. In the secondary, Owens showed true playmaking ability and strong hands in coverage, making him a game-changer defensively. He reads the quarterback, shows great instincts, and turns into a receiver when the ball is in the air. He reacts quickly, he's dangerous after the catch, and was consistently one of the better players on the field at all times last year as a junior. Owens may not have played against the best competition, but he still made play after play all season long. A two-sport star who also dominates on the baseball diamond, Owens is a solid athlete overall who has a true nose for the football on the gridiron. He picked off five passes last year, proving to be a quarterback's worst nightmare in North Georgia. He's under the radar right now, but make no mistake, opponents are going to know exactly where he is next fall when he leads Heritage on both sides of the ball as a senior.   Zach Jackson – Holy Innocents   An under the radar two-way player in Atlanta, Jackson is a dynamic athlete who made play after play at both wide receiver and defensive back last year. Defensively, the 6-foot-0 175-pounder is a hard-hitting defender who shows big-time ball skills in coverage. He plays the ball well in the air and knows how to run a quick route as well. He makes it look easy, too. He's a fun player to watch, and when the ball is in the air, he's going to make a play. He shows natural instincts in the secondary and brought his receiver-like ball skills to Holy Innocents's secondary, picking off four passes last year as a junior. Jackson holds offers from Wake Forest, James Madison, Duke, among others, and could see more come his way this spring. He has the potential to have a gigantic senior season in 2023 and will bring a nice blend of speed, ball skills, and toughness to the defense once again next fall.

If there's one position group deeper and more talented in Georgia than the defensive backfield, I haven't seen it. The state of loaded with easy D1-caliber defensive backs, but there are still plenty who are flying under the radar.