Elite Defensive Back: Week 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These eight defensive backs have shown the ability to shut down opposing offenses passing attacks. They excel at sticking with receivers and making open-field tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zane Edwards || CB || 6'0 || 165 || American Fork High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwards has been a steady presence on the Cavemen's defense all season. He makes plays at every level of the field and had a sack in American Fork's week four win against Rigby. Edwards has great speed and uses it to break up play and make tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='986265' first='Ian' last='Elmore'] || DB || 6'1 || 170 || Weber High School || 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elmore had nine tackles and two interceptions to help Weber snag a week-four win over Wasatch. He quickly reacts to balls in the air and does a good job of preventing any big plays from happening. Elmore will help Weber continue to notch wins in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1556079' first='Brock' last='McSwain'] || DB || 5'9 || 154 || Bountiful High School || 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McSwain helped Bountiful barley best Viewmount 28-27. He had nine tackles and prevented the Knights offense from gaining chunk yards throughout the game. McSwain finished with nine tackles and has had eight or more stops in all four games this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1291975' first='Junior' last='Coughlin'] || DB || 6'0 || Dixie High School || 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coughlin had six tackles and one interception in the Flyers week four win over Hurricane. He's now had an interception in three straight games, and that's not by accident. Coughlin has quick feet and good hips that help him stick with receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Moke Gabrielsen || DB || 5'10 || 165 || Corner Canyon High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gabrielsen impact extends far beyond the stat sheet, as he's rarely targeted by opposing offenses. He had one and tackle one interception in a dominant Chargers win over Farmington. Gabrielsen is outstanding in coverage and yields little to no separation to receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Holden McKell || DB || 6'3 || 175 || Herriman High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKell had three tackles, two interceptions, and three tackles in the Mustangs 27-0 win over Westlake. The Herriman defensive back does a great job breaking up passes downfield and can run the routes better than the receivers he's covering.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1562485' first='Stone' last='Mortensen'] || DB || 5'11 || 160 || Manit High School || 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mortensen made play after play against Emery. He helped the Templars topple the Spartans 38-27. Mortensen had two interceptions and seven tackles in a sensational week four performance. He has great hands and can make contested interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nathan Pugsley || DB || 5'11 || Box Elder High School || 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Box Elder defensive back led the Bees defense to an outstanding week four win over Northridge 42-12. Pugsley takes great angles when closing in on ball carries and excels at the last line of defense for the Bees.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->