’23 Preseason Super 7 – Class A 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/2023/07/23-preseason-super-7-class-3a-defensive-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3A Super 7 DBs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/08/23-preseason-super-7-class-2a-defensive-backs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2A Super 7 DBs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1A Super 7 DBs</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>We're less than two weeks away from the first high school football games kicking off. It promised to be another entertaining season in the Hawkeye State. </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 A defensive backs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cord Hamilton, '25, Central Decatur - </strong>Hamilton contributed 47.0 tackles, 28 of which were solo and 3.0 for loss as a Cardinal sophomore last fall. He averaged 5.0 yards on 20 carries with a touchdown. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16477879/639e11fbb53e8605e4de3891" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">'22 highlights</a></strong> on Hudl reveal a well-prepared defensive back that reads and reacts to what his eyes tell him. He's a technically sound tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Noah Galles, '24, MMCRU - </strong>Galles only has <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15284859/636bd968bd74b208d0f606d4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>one clip posted</strong></a> on his Hudl page. He reads the play, sees where the ball is going, steps in front of it and delivers a Pick-6, one of the two he recorded in '22. He racked up five interceptions in all. He added 28.0 tackles (20 solo, 0.5 for loss). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156581' first='Hunter' last='Bowers'], '24, East Buchanan - </strong>Bowers played a big role on both sides of the ball last season. He rushed for 1,098 yards and 11 touchdowns, had five receiving scores, and he returned kicks and punts for the Buccaneers. On defense, he intercepted five passes, and had a sack and 3.0 tackles for loss. His <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14665247/633c449bab922a0b985cc995" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior film</a></strong> highlights his speed and athleticism. He identifies plays quickly as a safety and breaks well on the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keegan DeWitt, '24, Lynnville-Sully - </strong> DeWitt's <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14866189/Keegan-DeWitt/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page</a></strong> contains individual game videos from last season. While the clips are limited, there's enough evidence of him being a dominant player in all three phases. He blocked a punt and returned another for a touchdown last season. He understands his assignments at free safety with the quickness and athleticism to make plays. He intercepted four passes and added a tackle for loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986657' first='Lance' last='McShane'], '24, Maquoketa Valley - </strong>Like DeWitt, McShane's <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14829376/Lance-McShane" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page </a></strong> holds highlight videos of individual games from last season. In them, he stands out from the pack. He's bigger, stronger and faster than most of his opponents and plays with excellent tempo. He racked up 58.0 tackles (47 solo, 13.5 for loss) with a sack and three interceptions, including a pair of Pick-6s. He also returned kicks, kicked off and punted, and added 21 touchdowns on offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='252234' first='Caleb' last='Smith'], '24, Earlham - </strong>Of the few clips posted on his <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16479369/Caleb-Smith/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page</a></strong>, only one shows him playing defense. In the others, he's on offense, where he stands out as a physical running back. The defensive highlight shows him breaking off of coverage and laying a hit on a ball carrier. It illustrated how he totaled 46.5 tackles last fall. Of those stops, 34 were solo. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chase Davis, '24, Madrid - </strong>As with others on this list, Davis' <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14917861/Chase-Davis/highlights" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl page</a></strong> holds highlight videos from a handful of individual games last season. Fortunately, we can see his interceptions, of which he tallied three. We also get a pass breakup. He possesses excellent ball skills and the athleticism for high-pointing 50-50 balls and coming down with them. He added 12 solo tackles and recovered a fumble a year ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->