The Five: #TN2024 Underrated Ball Hawks

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">It's a deep defensive back group this year with many top guys sitting under the current spotlight but these five below are talented too, bringing that ball hawk mentality to the field along with consistent game play. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2024-rankings/?position=DB">#T2024 Defensive Back Rankings</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["480633"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ePlaying among a bevy of future college players as a junior last season, Whaley is a talented playmaker that shows on film the upside to develop and become a possible starter on the college gridiron. Looking into the Fall, Whaley is expected to take on a bigger role, giving him an opportunity to shine by showing off his quick instincts and natural feel for playing around the football. This two sport star (basketball) has natural athleticism that shows up strong on film as Whaley has good ball skills and the versatility to play multiple roles within the secondary. He does need to add more strength and weight as he is a bit thin right now but the frame is there to take on more size. Whaley is a guy that could boost his stock tremendously with strong performances this summer at camps and throughout his upcoming senior season that could push his PRZTN ranking into the possible Top 15 at his position.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["520487"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThis West Tennessee prospect is the epitome of the word “Ball Hawk” as Davis simply has a nose for the ball and being a playmaker on defense that translates well to the college game. Breaking out last year as a junior, Davis is the leading returner in interceptions and will most certainly be on every opposition's game plan to throw away from this Fall football season. He shows great instincts and quick feet on film, consistently putting himself in position to either make the interception or break up the pass. Davis mans the corner role for his Bulldogs team and could develop further and stay there on the next level but his size and game play might translate best at nickel. His ability to make plays on the ball simply works anywhere in the secondary and Davis will be a steal for whoever puts their chips all in on the Memphis area product. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6449419a34cec"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/wynstonw_/status/1583289291379441664?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/wynstonw_/status/1583289291379441664?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["239442"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTall and long with a wide radius and closing speed, Lockhart is a true under the radar talent at the moment that sports the game play and physical traits to make it to the next level. When you look over this guy's junior highlights, what you see is a ball hawk mentality ball player that shows the range and closing speed to become a guy that comes up with interceptions but also helps in run support. Lockhart is a true safety that is built to play in center field but could also work close to the line due to his quick reactionary skills. The Beavers defensive playmaker must continue to develop more strength and size into his frame to entice more collegiate coaches but the ball skills and athletic traits are there to see his recruitment receive an uptick before the end of his senior year.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["372994"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eKeep an eye out for this West Tennessee defensive back moving as Dancey has low tread on his tires and the upside to make it into the college game with continued development and maturity. Becoming a starter for the first time last year, Dancey flashed excellent game play and the potential to take his game further than the high school ranks and so far this offseason, he has been doing the right things to build his stock. Dancey has nice size along with versatility to play several roles within the secondary, even the potential to develop out at cover corner. Right now, the Cougars senior defender works best in college at either nickel or safety, maximizing his skills best with his physicality and instincts for the ball. His performance this summer in camps and this Fall will go a long way in determining how high his recruiting stock goes.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6449419a34dc2"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JayDancey26/status/1586454747795447808?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JayDancey26/status/1586454747795447808?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["285356"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe Smoky Bears had one of the best defenses in the state last Fall and Pate was a major reason for that as this versatile defender brought his aggressive, physical play to the field week in and week out, becoming one of most dependable players for the Sevier Co. team. Pate is an excellent competitor that shows a physical, ball hawking mindset on film that translates to the next level but what position will he play? Anywhere is the answer! Pate does need more development to play cover corner in college but his physical, instinctive playing style fits very well at nickelback or even back at strong safety. What this Smoky Bears defender could be good at as well is on special teams where he could develop into an outstanding gunner. This is an underrated talent that brings a lot of strong traits to the football field that college coaches would enjoy working with.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6449419a34e26"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three Others to Know: [player_tooltip player_id='433143' first='Jace' last='Williamson'] - Lipscomb Acad., [player_tooltip player_id='372307' first='Jayden' last='Hines'] - West Creek, [player_tooltip player_id='510640' first='Jordan' last='Lee'] - Beech</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2024-rankings/">Tennessee Top 150 (Senior Rankings)</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":800994,"width":329,"height":329,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/nywhaley.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-800994" width="329" height="329" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->