2023 Kickoff Series: DB Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A look at five of the best returning defensive backs in the state before the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Closing out the 2023 rendition of the <em>Kickoff Series</em> is our last position group, the defensive backs. This last piece might be the most diverse list out of any of the position groups that I've covered as we have returning starters, two underclassman, and a pair of teammates. Let's get into it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='251280' first='Justis' last='Nicholson'], Pine Creek Eagles (DB/RB)(Sr.)(22) - Nicholson played a huge role on a very talented Pine Creek defense that would eventually finish the 2022 season as the 5A state runner-up. Looking at the stat sheet from Nicholson's junior season, he accounted for 55 tackles, a tackles for a loss, a fumble recovery, 4 pass deflections, and an incredible 7 interceptions. When you put on the film of Nicholson's 2022 season, you can see the first thing that jumps out about him is his outstanding pound-for-pound athleticism and versatility. Exceptional lateral agility and top-end foot speed allow him to excel as a boundary corner despite his smaller frame for the position (5'7, 160 lbs), in either man or zone coverage, consistently showing the ability to recover quickly and close on a pass. Despite his smaller frame, he shows an aggressive and tenacious nature as a tackler coming up in run support, consistently crashing downhill and bringing down the ball carrier. Highly intelligent, technically sound DB that rarely gets beat in coverage while also showing the ability to play through a receiver's hands at the catch point. Exceptional boundary corner at the high school level but probably translates more as a nickel at the collegiate level given his size. Nicholson is currently ranked the number 9 athlete and the number 80 player overall for the class of 2024, which is easy to see why given his talent and potential on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='624820' first='Cam' last='Chapa'], Eaglecrest Raptors (DB)(Sr.)(5) - Chapa was easily the most impactful player, not only on the Raptors' defense, but maybe on the Eaglecrest team as a whole during his junior year in 2022. Chapa put up some fairly remarkable numbers last year from the defensive backfield, as he registered 100 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles, 4 pass deflections, and 6 interceptions. When you dive into the tape of Chapa's junior season, you can see that he is an incredibly explosive and athletic DB that can close on a ball or a ball carrier in the blink of an eye. Highly physical DB that fills his run fits hard and brings plenty of pop/force behind his pads at the point-of-contact with the ball carrier. Combination of elite athleticism and excellent intelligence when dropping into zone coverage allows Chapa to play the role of a prototypical ball hawk. Exceptionally rangy deep defender at the safety position that can make his presence felt in every phase of the defense, as he always seems to be near the ball whether the offense is throwing the ball downfield or trying to gain yards on the ground. Versatile DB that can play multiple roles in the defensive backfield at high level, but is at his best in a safety position playing deep middle in a base cover-3. Chapa is currently ranked the number 2 DB and the number 28 player overall, with that ranking being well-deserved. Chapa has the tape, production, and frame (6'1, 170 lbs) that translate to the collegiate level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='514391' first='Brent' last='Harris'], Broomfield Eagles (DB/RB/WR)(Sr.)(6) – With the first member of the Broomfield secondary on this list, we have [player_tooltip player_id='514391' first='Brent' last='Harris'] who played both sides of the ball for the Eagles but made his presence felt most on the defensive side. Harris was dominant in every facet for the Broomfield defense, as he accounted for 48 tackles, a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, 8 pass deflections, and 5 interceptions while returning one of the picks for a touchdown. Turning on Harris' defensive tape from his junior season, you can see the first thing that jumps out about Harris is his outstanding overall athleticism and versatility as a DB. Excellent athleticism, lateral agility, and top-end foot speed allow him to excel at both the boundary corner role, in either man or zone coverage, as well as the ability to play a deep middle safety role in cover 3 – while also being occasionally asked to come into the box for run support. Despite his relatively smaller frame (6'0, 165 lbs), he brings plenty of power and force behind his pads at the point-of-attack when making contact with the opposing ball carrier. Exceptional awareness and change-of-direction allows him to cover hash-to-hash or run with even the fastest receivers on deeper routes downfield. The prototypical fast, explosive, and long-armed ball hawk that can shut down an entire third of the field. Savvy, ball-hawking DB that always seems to be around the ball and shows a good understanding of how to bait opposing QBs into dangerous throws. Harris is currently ranked the number 4 athlete and the number 39 player overall for the class of 2024, which certainly looks like a more than deserving ranking considering his impact in every phase of the game for the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='404966' first='Deion' last='Giles-Ray'], Denver East (DB)(Jr.)(6) – With the first player in this piece from the class of 2025, Giles-Ray cemented his status as one of the state's top safeties during his sophomore year in the Angels' defensive backfield. His numbers from 2022 show how well-rounded a DB he is as he accounted for 84 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, a ridiculous 15 pass deflections, and 5 interceptions. Turning to the tape of his sophomore season, the first thing you see is a DB with a knack for finding the football, whether dropping into coverage or coming up in run support. Versatile chess piece of a player on the back end of the defense that lined up in multiple different positions depending on the formation; lining up as a deep safety, in the box, and nickel corner. Aggressive tackler that brings plenty of force to the point-of-attack when making contact with the opposing ball carrier despite his smaller frame (5'9, 165 lbs). Displays a physical and tenacious playing style that allows him to make his presence felt in run support and pass defense by the opposing offense, as he never shies away from contact. Shows a good understanding of his gap responsibilities when coming up to make his run fits, filling hard and rarely being out of position. Shows excellent ability as an the box defender or nickel corner, but is at his best when lined up as a deep defender in the middle of the field where he can keep everything in front of him while presenting insurance for the defense on the back end. Giles-Ray is currently ranked the number 4 DB and the number 32 player overall for the class of 2025, but he can certainly expect that ranking to rise with a strong junior year in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='404963' first='Mikhail' last='Benner'], Broomfield Eagles (DB)(Jr.)(9) – Benner is, in my humble opinion, the best DB in the state regardless of class given his tape and production from 2022. The second entry in this piece from the Broomfield secondary might be better than the first with the numbers to back it up, as Benner registered 42 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, 6 pass deflections, and a state-leading 11 interceptions as only a sophomore. When you breakdown the film of Benner's 2022 season, you can see he shows an uncanny ability to find the football, with this being the result of a combination of excellent top end foot speed, lateral agility, and tracking ability while the ball is in the air. Outstanding athlete with excellent first step explosiveness that allows him to hit top gear quickly and run stride-for-stride with most boundary receivers. Has the ideal build for a top-flight boundary corner as he has outstanding size and length (6'1, 175 lbs) that most lock down DBs have. Technically sound DB that rarely ever panics or gets handsy if he is in a less than ideal position to make a play on the ball/receiver. Prototypical ball-hawk DB that can shut down an entire quarter of the defensive backfield, routinely making opposing passers pay when they decide to test his side of the field. Benner is currently rated the number 2 DB and the number 8 player overall for the class of 2025 which, somehow, seems a little low given his immense potential. With another strong season in 2023, Benner can cement his status as one of the best players overall in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->