’23 Preseason Super 7 – Class 3A Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-5a-defensive-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5A Super 7 DBs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-4a-defensive-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4A Super 7 DBs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-quarterbacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 QBs</a>&nbsp;(scroll down in link for all classes)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-running-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 RBs</a>&nbsp;(scroll down)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-receivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 WRs (</a>scroll)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-a-tight-ends/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 TEs (scroll</a>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-a-offensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 OL (scroll</a>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-defensive-linemen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 DL (scroll)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-linebackers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'23 Preseason Super 7 LB</a>&nbsp;(scroll)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa – </strong>Believe it or not, high school football practice officially kicks off one week from today. The first games are less than a month away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To get us prepared, we're listing seven top players returning at each position in all seven classes. You can read about the positions we've covered at the links above.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're digging in on defense. Here are the Class 3A defensive backs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320745' first='Easton' last='Pfiffner'], '24, Benton - </strong>Pfiffner's 57.5 tackles in '22 were the most among defensive backs returning this fall. He recorded 42 solo stops, 10.0 tackles for loss and an interception. He stands out during his<strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14929676/635e1c4b34485608f0f6596d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> junior highlight reel</a></strong> as a playmaker on both sides of the ball. He rushed for three touchdowns and caught 12 passes last year. He lines up in different spots around the defense. He sees what's coming quickly and reacts. Pfiffner runs well and hits hard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Abe Hibma, '24, Sioux Center - </strong>Hibma shines as a box safety in an aggressive Warrior defense. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14857959/64141768da5baa0a38e3f9ea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> reveal a run stuffer as well as a pass rusher. He shows strong straight-line speed and gets downhill in a hurry. As an 11-grader in '22, he registered 40 solo tackles among his 55.5 total stops. He added an interception and 3.0 tackles for loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>John Beswick, '24, West Delaware - </strong>Beswick (6-4, 190) produced 45.0 tackles (35 solo, 7.0 for loss) with 2.0 sacks for the Hawks last fall. He intercepted a pass and caught seven balls for 125 yards on offense. Watching his<strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16585981/630a3818f5610109c043daaf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> junior highlight reel</a></strong>, we see an athletic guy capable of delivering big plays all around the defense. He's quick to the ball and physical upon arrival. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='252098' first='Corey' last='Dettmann'], '24, Humboldt - </strong>Dettmann is an interesting player. He's a running back that thrives on catching the ball and a deep safety that can look like a linebacker. Any way you slice it, he's good at football. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14906401/6373c4babd743e0ec8928ea5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlight package </a></strong> shows him contributing in all three phases. He has a good feel for punt returning. He shines in coverage on defense with a solid back-pedal and fluid hip movement. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320765' first='Cael' last='Turner'], '24, Creston - </strong>Like others on this list, Turner impacts the game on both sides of the ball. He rushed for 100 yards on three carries in '22, when he also caught 34 passes for 532 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, he intercepted five balls, one for a Pick-6, and registered 32.0 tackles (26 solo). His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13451245/635891374debd01204bada04" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> do a great job of of illustrating his athleticism and play-making ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braedon Tranel, '24, Maquoketa - </strong>Of Tranel's 31.0 tackles last fall, 30 were solo and 1.0 was for loss. He also intercepted four passes and handled place-kicking responsibilities for the Cardinals. He caught 44 balls for 432 yards and five touchdowns as well. He's smooth in coverage and also does a nice job stepping up against the run, as you can see during his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16170548/637ba5e20660c4052cc6a38c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>, which also feature his field-goal kicking. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248037' first='Derek' last='Weisskopf'], '24, Williamsburg - </strong>The Raiders' move up to 3A shouldn't impact Weisskopf, who would stand out in any of Iowa's classes. The Iowa Hawkeye commitment likely ends up at linebacker on the next level, but he roams the secondary in the Williamsburg defense. He intercepted six passes in '22, one of which he took back for a touchdown. He accumulated 59.5 tackles (43 solo, 4.5 for loss) and caught 12 touchdowns as a receiver. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15426397/638e9ea86e8b7b0b88224764" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong> provide plenty of evidence that he's one of the state's top players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->