Show-Me State Superstars: 2024 DBs
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The depth of Missouri’s secondary prospects has amazed me. It has been tough ranking and evaluating the DB prospects of the 2024 class, but I think I have found my top guys. I have identified six prospects who are on…
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Continue ReadingThe depth of Missouri’s secondary prospects has amazed me. It has been tough ranking and evaluating the DB prospects of the 2024 class, but I think I have found my top guys. I have identified six prospects who are on track to be lockdown defenders at the next level. Below, I breakdown the abilities that have led to countless offers between the six of them.
Spencer Ward Spencer Ward 5’9″ | 175 lbs | ATH Nixa | 2024 State MO may be the most underrated defensive back in the Show-Me State. Since May, Spencer has received his first offers from Southwest Baptist, Evangel, and William Jewell College. Although I am glad to see colleges offer the hard-hitting safety, I would expect him to be on more regional teams’ radar. Don’t be surprised when Spencer’s senior year production leads to him being one of the most coveted DB prospects in the state.
Spencer displays next level athleticism and good lateral quickness as a ball carrier. Spencer shows a rare combination of burst and power in the way he explodes through bigger ball carriers from a deep pursuit angle. Coaches see Spencer’s combination of instincts, physicality, strength, and tackling ability as an ideal foundation of skills to be a versatile strong safety at the next level.
Highlights
Aidan Crews Aidan Crews 6’1″ | 195 lbs | DB Eureka | 2024 State MO is hungry to get back on the field for Eureka after dealing with injuries in 2022. The two-sport athlete has visited Missouri State, Northern Iowa, and most recently went to a camp at Mizzou. Expect the good-sized defender to be a high-rising prospect this fall.
A natural free safety fit shows in the power and acceleration Aidan displays attacking outside runs from a deep alignment. Good awarenees shows in zone coverage once a quarterback leaves the pocket and scramble rules are on. Aidan’s highlight reel full of plays on punt return and kickoff should have him contributing on special teams early at the next level.
Highlights
Kendall Gurley Kendall Gurley 5’9″ | 160 lbs | DB Francis Howell | 2024 State MO is an intriguing two-way prospect. I wrote up Kendall as a slot receiver, and I still don’t know where the versatile athlete plays in college. I am surprised to see Kendall’s last college visit, according to Twitter, take place in fall of 2022. Expect the all-state defender to have a skyrocketing recruitment before his senior year has finished.
Good quickness and long-speed showing in recovery after getting beat vertically highlight Kendall’s ideal nickelback skillset. Instincts and good awareness shows attacking quick throws from a deep zone responsibility. Kendall’s fluid change of direction and acceleration shows redirecting once the ball is in the air.
Highlights
Jude James Jude James 6’3″ | 220 lbs | ATH Francis Howell | 2024 State MO is a talented two-way prospect out of Francis Howell. Jude had over 500 yards as a receiver and 100+ tackles as a defensive back, so I would say versatile is an understatement. Jude holds seventeen offers with the most recent one coming from Mizzou. Watch out for Jude to receive even more offers before it comes time to decide where to go to college.
Aligning as the deepest defender in the secondary, Jude shows next level range quickly processing and pursuing play action passes targeting the flat with speed & tenacity. Good power and acceleration shows knocking out targeted receivers underneath. Size, strength, and good hand technique in the run game allow Jude to play a hybrid safety position at the next level.
Doreon Dubose Doreon Dubose 5’11” | 150 lbs | DB CBC | 2024 State MO holds ten offers with the most recent one coming from the Naval Academy. With offers from the Missouri Valley Conference to the Ivy League, I would think Doreon has more scholarships coming in before fall gets here. The two-time state champion is set to be a lockdown defender for CBC yet again in 2023. Expect Doreon’s recruitment to be a tightly contested race until it comes time to commit.
Doreon displays next level explosiveness closing ground quickly on ball carriers before screens gain positive yardage. Doreon plays off man with good patience, while good speed and length show breaking on balls and consistently disrupting catchpoints. Doreon is a good form tackler whose effort displayed on plays like his field goal block will get him a job early on in college.
Jacobi Oliphant Jacobi Oliphant 6’4″ | 180 lbs | DB St. Louis University | 2024 State MO is a college ready defensive back out of St. Louis. With great size and secondary versatility, it is no wonder Jacobi holds thirteen scholarship offers. Jacobi recently attended camps at Nebraska and Kentucky, and I would not be surprised to see that list of thirteen keep growing before 2024 gets here.
Jacobi shows a rare combination of size and range in the way he tracks and attacks the ball from deep zones in pass coverage. Next level speed shows running jet sweeps on offense or in pursuit as a backside defensive back. Good physicality and a fluid change of direction shows getting in phase when playing press man coverage. With good length and athletic ability, Jacobi has the potential to play any position in the secondary at the next level.