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A Closer Look At Underclassman DBs

A Closer Look At Underclassman DBs
Tyler Graham
Tyler Graham July 26, 2023 @ 01:25 PM
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In this article:

Gary Maxwell
Gary Maxwell 5'6" | 140 lbs | DB | 2025
MI
Max Macklem
Max Macklem 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH | 2025
MI
Drew Esper
Drew Esper 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB/WR | 2026
MI
Leland Hollingsworth
Leland Hollingsworth 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH/WR | 2026
MI
Jajuan Jones
Jajuan Jones 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB | 2026
MI
Drew Rankin
Drew Rankin 5'10" | 165 lbs | DB | 2025
MI
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The DB position is super stacked across the board, but particularly the underclassmen coming up show a ton of promise. Today we'll take inventory on some of the DBs that may not be getting a ton of shine yet, but are poised to bolster their stock sooner rather than later. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["568188"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Drew is a very versatile player, showing a ton of promise offensively being able to run the ball well, especially bouncing outside with tremendous speed. Defensively, he should be getting some love as he is a true ball hawk. Wherever the ball goes, he isn't far behind. He can pick the ball off on the backend, and come up and stuff the run as well. Keep an eye out as he jumps up into a varsity role to be molded into another TCW stud.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["567995"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Hollingsworth is another youngster with a ton of raw talent, and his twitter shows he's been working this offseason to hone his craft, specifically his defensive ability. He's a fluid runner that shows a ton of speed, agility and prowess to get to the ball. He can go up and swat balls down and pick them off with ease. It's looking more and more like he will be a very difficult guy to throw on, and as he develops his body, he could make himself a super solid prospect before his high school career concludes.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["567009"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"I loved checking the film on this kid. He's a thumper, always coming downhill and delivering the big hit. In the passing game, he backpedals cleanly and naturally, stops on a dime and breaks on the ball quickly for the PBU or interception. I see he is starting to take some college visits, and I think he could start receiving some offers in the near future, as I think he'll definitely keep developing into a college player.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["577658"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Max is a fundamentally sound DB with the athleticism to keep up with a variety of WRs, small and fast or long and lanky. He does a great job of jamming the receiver off the ball, and staying in phase with him the whole way. He's one of the more physical DBs, as he was also a state runner up in wrestling. Overall, I like what he can do, and his path of development so far shows a ton of promise.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["602090"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"I've had the chance of watching Gary a couple times this offseason, and he definitely improved from the 1st to 2nd time. I love his balance and how he contests every catch, and doesn't give up on the play. I mentioned it before, but he's making the move to safety which I really like for him. His athleticism and playmaking should shine there, which gets me pretty excited.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["265646"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Drew has awesome technique that serves him well. He makes life difficult on the wideouts by staying in position and playing the ball well. He reads receivers hips and isn't fooled by eye candy in the backfield. He has been working his tail off this offseason and putting in work with multiple guys that have spent time in the NFL. I am super high on him taking the next steps in his development and evolving as a DB.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c163237e0b6"} /-->

The DB position is super stacked across the board, but particularly the underclassmen coming up show a ton of promise. Today we'll take inventory on some of the DBs that may not be getting a ton of shine yet, but are poised to bolster their stock sooner rather than later.

Central Michigan
Drew Esper

Drew Esper

MI
LB/WR
HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 210
POS LB/WR
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Drew
Esper LB/WR
Class
2026
Height
6'1"
Weight
210
HS
Traverse City West
|
MI
A Closer Look At Underclassman DBs
Drew is a very versatile player, showing a ton of promise offensively being able to run the ball...
Written by Tyler Graham
Central Michigan
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Drew Esper

Twitter
State: Michigan
School: Traverse City West
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Leland Hollingsworth

Leland Hollingsworth

HEIGHT 5'10"
WEIGHT 185
POS ATH/WR
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Leland
Hollingsworth ATH/WR
Class
2026
Height
5'10"
Weight
185
HS
Renaissance
|
MI
A Closer Look At Underclassman DBs
Hollingsworth is another youngster with a ton of raw talent, and his twitter shows he’s been working this...
Written by Tyler Graham
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Leland Hollingsworth

Instagram Twitter
State: Michigan
School: Renaissance
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Jajuan Jones

Jajuan Jones

MI
DB
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 170
POS DB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Jajuan
Jones DB
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
Weight
170
HS
Harper Woods
|
MI
A Closer Look At Underclassman DBs
I loved checking the film on this kid. He’s a thumper, always coming downhill and delivering the big...
Written by Tyler Graham
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Jajuan Jones

Instagram Twitter
State: Michigan
School: Harper Woods
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Central Michigan
Max Macklem

Max Macklem

MI
ATH
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 180
POS ATH
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Max
Macklem ATH
Class
2025
Height
6'0"
Weight
180
HS
Goodrich
|
MI
A Closer Look At Underclassman DBs
Max is a fundamentally sound DB with the athleticism to keep up with a variety of WRs, small...
Written by Tyler Graham
Central Michigan
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Max Macklem

Twitter
State: Michigan
School: Goodrich
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Gary Maxwell

Gary Maxwell

MI
DB
HEIGHT 5'6"
WEIGHT 140
POS DB
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Gary
Maxwell DB
Class
2025
Height
5'6"
Weight
140
HS
Ferndale
|
MI
A Closer Look At Underclassman DBs
I’ve had the chance of watching Gary a couple times this offseason, and he definitely improved from the...
Written by Tyler Graham
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Gary Maxwell

State: Michigan
School: Ferndale
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Wayne State (MI)
Drew Rankin

Drew Rankin

MI
DB
HEIGHT 5'10"
WEIGHT 165
POS DB
CLASS 2025
View Player
​
Drew
Rankin DB
Class
2025
Height
5'10"
Weight
165
HS
Northville
|
MI
A Closer Look At Underclassman DBs
Drew has awesome technique that serves him well. He makes life difficult on the wideouts by staying in...
Written by Tyler Graham
Wayne State (MI)
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Drew Rankin

Instagram Twitter
State: Michigan
School: Northville
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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