5 Hard-Hitting Defensive Backs to Track

<p>Most people think of defensive backs as the guys that play lockdown coverage to anchor a defense on the backend. However, DBs are underrated tools in the run game with their ability to come downhill in a hurry to lay some nasty licks on ball carriers. Here are a few physical DBs worth your attention. </p>   <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='325520' first='Ricky' last='McCrary']</em></strong> - 2024 - Creekside </p>   <p>McCrary is a fast, physical, and versatile DB prospect with the striking ability to separate the ball from the ball carrier. From CB to S to a traditional LB spot, McCrary lines up all over the field for Creekside and has produced at a very high level. His ability to come detached, close the gap, and lay the wood on skill players stands out with almost every clip you see. His physicality translates to coverage, where he shows that he is a sticky defender that plays through the football. McCrary projects best at the N spot, where he will be able to roam free, impact the run game, and play physical coverage against slot receivers. McCrary has the thump and athleticism to play at the FBS level and holds several offers from schools at that level. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RickyMcCrary21/status/1669082760101732355?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>Kaleb Neal</em></strong> - 2024 - Brookwood</p>   <p>You wouldn't tell by looking at him, but there is nothing sneaky about this tall, sleek defender and his game. Neal plays with a lot of energy and generates the force at contact to knock playmakers of all sizes on their backsides. Neal transitions from a backpedal to a full-on sprint quickly and efficiently. Once he locks in on a ball carrier, he puts his cleats in the turf and soars to the football with dangerous intentions. Neal plays 100 MPH, but there is some finesse to his game as well. He plays centerfield efficiently with the speed to cover sideline to sideline. He is also able to tone back his aggressiveness to size up the ball carrier and make a clean play on the ball carrier. Neal is committed to Appalachian State where he will have every chance to fly around the field at a high level. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kkneal6/status/1669736629173383172?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>Melvin Emioma</em></strong> - 2024 - Kennesaw Mountain</p>   <p>Enioma is a stout, physical prospect with the ability to play multiple positions at the next level. He makes plays all over the field for Kennesaw Mountain, primarily at DB and at RB. With his violent brand of football, I think he translates best as a defender. He has noticeable strength, absorbing contact well and winning the leverage battle when he goes for the tackle. He has broad enough shoulders and enough strength to navigate through traffic without getting flushed out by blockers. Once he makes contact with the ball carrier, he sticks and packs a gut punch. I expect Emioma to settle into a nickel role at the next level where he can impact the run game more directly. He has the chance to rack up some tackles for any program at the next level. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HesoMelo_1/status/1669773213511942163?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>Tyjai Hopper</em></strong> - 2024 - Alpharetta</p>   <p>Hopper is a true striker from the CB position who has skillsets that can project to a few different positions on the defensive side of the ball. Hopper is a tall, physical prospect with noticeable speed and smoothness in his game. Hopper can lay some nasty hits on ball carriers, but he does so with great technique, driving his shoulder into the numbers of the defenders and driving them to the turf. Hopper also has good man coverage skills, showing plenty of speed to stay attached to a team's top playmakers down the field. His speed and length alone help him immensely as a coverage corner on the outside. My personal impression is that Hopper projects best as a big nickel. With his size and power, he can match up with some TEs while also impacting the run game in a big way. Either way, expect Hopper to end up at the FBS-P5 level. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/hopo125/status/1672304580934131712?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>Joe Wilkinson</em></strong> - 2024 - Rome </p>   <p>Wilkinson is a fast, fiery, violent defender that pumps the field full of momentum. His film is littered with some devastating hits on blockers and ball carriers that will leave you chuckling. He plays like a heat-seeking missile. Once he is locked in on his target, he will fly to the football with great angles and lay some massive hits on whoever is unfortunate enough to line up in front of him. Wilkinson obviously makes plays in the first few levels with his ability to read the offense, take good angles, and strike. However, he also has the speed and range to cover a lot of ground and play center field. At the very least, Wilkinson will provide some momentum-altering hits to get the sidelines and fans in the game. If he can start to harness some of that energy and continue becoming a more polished player, I think he could hold his own at the P5 level. As of now, he is locked in to play at Appalachian State. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BeastJoe22/status/1649127338079297536?s=20 </div></figure>

Most people think of defensive backs as the guys that play lockdown coverage to anchor a defense on the backend. However, DBs are underrated tools in the run game with their ability to come downhill in a hurry to lay some nasty licks on ball carriers. Here are a few physical DBs worth your attention.