Who is the top Safety in the Greater Houston Area?
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TAPE TAPE TAPE!!!!! The eye in the sky doesn’t lie. When you look at the tape and measurables of the following athletes, you see a battle brewing for the top safety spot in the Greater Houston area. These guys have…
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Continue ReadingTAPE TAPE TAPE!!!!! The eye in the sky doesn’t lie. When you look at the tape and measurables of the following athletes, you see a battle brewing for the top safety spot in the Greater Houston area. These guys have been hot names on the recruiting scene and check the majority if not all of the boxes and are exploding on the scene nationally due to undeniable tape, national 7v7 impact, and sheer will. Let’s take a close look at some of the favorites to be All-State performers at the safety position for the 2024 class.
Damani Maxson Damani Maxson 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Clear Lake | 2024 State TX I 2024 I SAFETY I 6’0 180 I CLEAR LAKE I HOUSTON, TEXAS
Damani Maxson Damani Maxson 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Clear Lake | 2024 State TX is one of the best safeties in Texas and the country based on his tape. Maxson has size that translates to remarkable range. He thrives off the edge in blitz packages designed for the star position for a 4-2-5 defense as well as in the back end stabilizing the roof. Maxson has a special ability when it comes to jarring the ball loose with his hits. He always blankets the hip of the receiver and executes the pass breakup with violence. Between the violent hits and pass breakups, Maxson has made a solid case for the top safety coming out of H-Town for the class of 2024.
Tice Williams Tice Williams 6'3" | 190 lbs | DB Conroe | 2024 State TX I 2024 I SAFETY I 6’2.5 190 I CONROE I CONROE, TEXAS
Tice Williams Tice Williams 6'3" | 190 lbs | DB Conroe | 2024 State TX is another product of Antonio Cromartie and Jalil Johnson’s “Pick 6 Sixx” grooming at the Ollin training facility. Turn on the tape and instantly see the size-to-speed ratio that always evolves into violent endings for ball carriers and would be receivers. A converted wide receiver, Williams is a verified 6’2.5 in height and may be still growing. He has posted a laser-timed sub-11-second 100-meter (10.98) sprint in track and field this year even though he is primarily a hurdler. This speed is put on display when you see this long defensive back run through the bodies of offensive ball carriers. Williams plays with an assured arrogance in space due to his exceptional footwork and IQ for the game which may be a result of his 4.2 GPA. He has airily similar stats to all of the featured safeties in the country minus interceptions. This may be in part due to him locking to his assignment early in the plays on film. Holding multiple offers, this safety is blowing up the 7v7 national circuit with interceptions and locked routes. They say that speed kills and you can’t teach height. With that combination, Williams is about to make some serious noise for the top safety prospect in the 2024 Greater Houston class if not the country.
LaVonte Johnson I 2024 I SAFETY I 6’2 180 I NORTH SHORE I HOUSTON, TEXAS
LaVonte Johnson is a blanket of a defensive back no matter the coverage call. He thrives in press coverage at the cornerback position but due to his 6’2 stature and quick hips many have him transitioning to man the free safety position. This has been the rumor since Johnson’s transfer from C.E. King High School to state powerhouse Northshore for his senior performance. Johnson plays with amazing leverage and fundamentals that allow him to blur the route line that the receiver is attempting to run. He is handsy and aggressive in bullying at the apex of the route. Johnson is flat-out rude and disrespectful in his devotion to executing his coverage and humiliating the receiver after his work is complete. Next season we will see how this translates to the back end. If his tape at cornerback proves anything to us, it’s that receivers better beware of this aggressive defensive back headhunting from the deep with his superb feel for the game and how to intelligently take over route concepts. I have no doubt that LaVonte Johnson will have his name close to if not at the top of the safety list by the 2023-24 season’s end.
Joshua Lair I 2024 I SAFETY I 6’0 185 I FORT BEND MARSHALL I MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS
Did someone call for a headhunter? Well, that’s what you get with Fort Bend Marshall’s Joshua Lair. This kid delivers monster hit after monster hit! I’m just trying to figure out who ticked him off and why haven’t they apologized for the error. Standing at a solid 6 foot and weighing 185, Lairs has the body control and wherewithal to put his full weight behind his striking ability. He plays with an edge and believes that no reception is a reception unless he says so. A flat-out mince, Lairs will be firmly in the running for the top Greater Houston Area safety and if not; he will stand alone as the best bone-jarring headhunter in the class. Remember you heard it here first.