Show Me State Sleepers: 2024 DBs Vol. 2.0
I promised all the juniors that I would start watching the 2025 tape, but I find myself combing through film of 2024 defenders yet again. There are some good defensive backs who I am happy to see have started to…
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Continue ReadingI promised all the juniors that I would start watching the 2025 tape, but I find myself combing through film of 2024 defenders yet again. There are some good defensive backs who I am happy to see have started to receive some regional attention. Still, there are good cover guys out there who have yet to receive an offer; In this article I highlight several players coaches need to know about.
Preston Black
Preston Black
Preston Black is a talented two-way prospect out of Kansas City. Preston boosts his value by being a playmaker who can score as either a receiver or kick returner. Still, watch for the talented prospect to be a heavily targeted defensive back going into his senior year.
Preston shows good quickness and instincts intercepting balls that are targeting zones outside of his deep fourth responsibility. Preston’s burst shows in press man when he accelerates to stay in phase with receivers running vertically. Good length and ball skills show in Preston’s tracking ability and strength that consistently disrupts the catchpoint.
Mikai Hill
Mikai Hill
Mikai Hill went to a camp at Benedictine last month, but I am surprised to see him not get more regional attention. Watch for the Kansas City product to receive more regional attention before his senior season ends.
Mikai’s good length and strength shows breaking up passes where receivers have good position at the catchpoint. Mikai shows good patience and a smooth change of direction mirroring receivers in man coverage. Good size and tackling ability highlights Mikai’s safety versatility at the next level.
Jermaine Rodgers
Jermaine Rodgers
Jermaine Rodgers is a productive defensive back for Parkway North. I am surprised to see the two-way prospect have such a quiet social media presence. Expect Jermaine’s recruitment to heat up before his senior season ends.
Jermaine shows good instincts tracking the ball from a deep zone, while good athleticism shows intercepting deep balls with one hand. Next level burst shows breaking on balls in the flat, but Jermaine’s power gets displayed running through targeted receivers in underneath zones. Jermaine is a good tackler who shows quick feet when changing direction in coverage. As a ball carrier, Jermaine displays good quickness and reactive athleticism evading tacklers in the open field.
Tanner Franklin
Tanner Franklin
Tanner Franklin is a versatile defender for Raymore-Peculiar High School. He has been on visits to Pitt State and Southwest Baptist University. Tanner attended a camp at Northwest Missouri State this weekend so don’t be surprised if we hear about his first offer sooner rather than later.
Tanner shows good awareness and ball skills jumping routes underneath his deep middle zone. Tanner shows a fluid change of direction and good strength when redirecting to break up passes that are entering the edges of his coverage responsibilities. Good effort, speed, and next level power shows flattening returners on special teams. A good combination of strength, instincts, tackling ability, and a desire to fill in the run game increase Tanner’s value as a versatile safety in college.
Rodney McNeil Jr.
Rodney McNeil Jr.
Rodney McNeil Jr. is a good-sized DB who has the potential to be a number one corner in college. Rodney holds offers from Missouri Valley College and Southwest Baptist University. Expect more offers to come in for the cornerback prospect before his senior season ends.
Quick feet and a fluid change of direction show when Rodney mirrors wide receivers in off-man coverage. Rodney shows good size and aggressiveness defending the point of attack in the run game. Rodney’s burst, length, and strong hands show taking the ball away from receivers at the catchpoint.