2023 Ball Hawks: 5 of the Top Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 delivered high performances from elite defensive backs throughout the season. Players known to disrupt the pass game made names for themselves as they became shutdown corners and safeties that could survey the entire field. Here are some of the finest performances from the defensive backfield in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1007697"],"_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":"The leader of interceptions in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='1007697' first='Shakur' last='Carter'] was a dominant force in the defensive backfield all season long. Compiling 9 interceptions from the safety position, the Collingwood product was one of those defenders that seemed to emerge wherever the ball was. A player with very quick recognition, Shakur is able to open his hips up and cover sideline to sideline. Shakur displayed far reaching range from the deep safety position. The team trusted in his abilities as he was consistently the last line of defense and made sure no receivers got behind him in their routes. Returning 2 of his 9 interceptions for touchdowns, Shakur is a defender you'd want playing for your program.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a0be"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14660567/655bb3e19a916b0dc48a536b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc470"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Julius Dominguez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Camden Eastside","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Camden Eastside also had themselves a ball hawk in Julius Dominguez. Playing from the nickel corner position, Julius was a straight up playmaker. picking the ball off 8 times in 2023, Julius showed great concentration whenever the ball was near. A player with some hops as well, Julius was able to consistently catch the ball at its highest point and outcompete the receiver. And a threat once the ball was in his hands, Julius was a dangerous return man as he took the ball the other way.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a169"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16528899/65602d3415f75f0440141d3a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc520"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1085723"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1085723' first='Luke' last='Houston'] is another defensive back that had a phenomenal 2023 season. Intercepting the ball 7 times for Marlboro, Luke was a lockdown corner lined up against the offense's biggest target most of the time. Luke had an uncanny ability to swat the arms down of the receiver as soon as they were sure they were coming down with the catch. A sure tackler on the outside, Luke was ready to make a play  anytime a screen or short route was thrown his way.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a1de"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16949910/655522ee90f9bd08e0536dbd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6573b8a818f84"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971278"],"_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":"A two way star for Roxbury, [player_tooltip player_id='971278' first='Jared' last='Irwin'] had a major impact on his teams success whenever he was on the field. Picking the ball off 6 times for Roxbury and returning one for a touchdown, Jared was a skilled catcher and runner as he translated his receiving skills onto the defensive side of the ball. A cornerback that could fly up field to stop the run for negative yardage, Jared made it difficult for any offense to have success on the outside. With his ability to change directions quickly, Jared was able to close in quickly on not just the run but also on the shorter routes as well. He played cornerback very intelligently all year long.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a24e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17236897/651302cddfe31403b4bd7518' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a26c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["183468"],"_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":"Pleasantville's [player_tooltip player_id='183468' first='Dwayne' last='Carter'] was able to make a big impact not only through the pass coverage game but also through his tackling ability. Racking up 52 tackles this season, Dwayne was a hard hitting safety that always had forcing a turnover on his mind. Dwayne is another defensive back that could recognize a play quickly. He had the capability to dart upfield and get in the way of the pass to pick it off or stop the run for a short gain. Speaking of interceptions, Dwayne came down with the ball 5 times this year and returned one of those for a touchdown. A big time playmaker, Dwayne has the ability to bring his skills to the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a2cb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14744224/65007b7fc119b90360faeb88' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656741a275c00"} /-->