’23 Preseason Super 7 – Class 5A Defensive Backs

<!-- 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> (scroll) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa – </strong>Believe it or not, high school football practice officially kicks off a week from today. The first games are less than a month away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To help 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 5A defensive backs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248018' first='Harry' last='Leinen'], '24, Waukee Northwest - </strong>Leinen (6-1, 210) was named to the IPSWA all-state second-team after posting 52.5 tackles (47 solo, 4.0 for loss) with an interception and a fumble recovery as a junior in '22. The Wolves move him around the defense, as you can see while watching his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14627152/63682eacb3c8cd0ab869d084" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlight reel</a></strong>. I would describe him as a hybrid linebacker/safety. He thrives in the box with the flexibility to cover the slot or line up over an offensive lineman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Henry Jaerger, '24, Sioux City North - </strong>The 6-foot-2, 170-pound Jaerger posted 54.0 tackles in '22 with 29 of them being of the solo variety. He recovered a fumble and recorded a tackle for loss. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14102976/635ad91a8cdef806602a51ac" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights on Hudl</a></strong> show a safety that reads keys quickly post-snap and reacts with speed to the ball. He also can lower the boom on an opponent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brycen Antle, '24, Davenport North - </strong>Antle (5-8, 190) produced 43 solo tackles among his 51.0 total stops in '22. You can see a disciplined, assignment-driven safety when viewing his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14882576/63728547c11a4404dca72b5e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a></strong>. His best trait might be his quickness to the football once it's his turn to attack the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lesther Phanfil, '24, Des Moines Roosevelt - </strong>Phanfil (6-1, 180) disrupted proceedings for his opponents last fall. He accumulated 47.0 tackles (36 solo, 3.5 for loss) with 2.0 sacks as an 11th-grader. On his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14812179/635c38e90dc07a07a0ce6b6b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlight reel</a></strong>, he brings a lot of physicality from the back of the defense. He runs well and is a technically sound tackler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1417948' first='Koby' last='Chanthalavanh'], '25, Ottumwa - </strong>As a sophomore last season, Chanthalavanh (5-7, 160) intercepted three passes. The cornerback produced 22 solo tackles among his 29.5 overall stops. He also averaged 24.1 yards on nine kick returns. Chanthalavanh's <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16210372/637668413453710cfc2c8b75" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sophomore highlight package</a></strong> show an explosive player on offense, where he scored nine touchdowns in '22. That quickness and speed shine through on defense, too. He shows fluid hips in the few coverage clips we see. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='847948' first='Mason' last='Woods'], '25, Iowa City West - </strong>Woods (6-2, 205) is being recruited by colleges on both sides of the ball. He reports a tight end scholarship offer from Iowa, where his dad, Levar Woods, is the special teams coordinator. I think he could be a success at safety or linebacker at the next level, too. He picked off three passes as a 10th-grader in '22. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16366973/63572846066af404fc7b24ef" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sophomore highlights</a></strong> show why scouts like his position flexibility. He's a versatile athlete with a projectable frame. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Taye Proctor, '24, Johnston - </strong>Like Woods and Chanthalavanh, Proctor (6-0, 180) picked off three passes last season. He added 45.5 tackles (30 solo, 5.0 for loss) and a sack. He also averaged 19.6 yards on five kick returns. He plays the game fast, as evidenced by the clips on his <strong><a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jq4Sp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlight reel</a></strong>. He breaks quickly on the ball in coverage and supports the run very well. He does a nice job diagnosing plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->