Breakout Candidates: Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many players next season are going to have much bigger roles with players graduating and players improving their skills over the off season. Here are a handful of defensive backs who are breakout season candidates for next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='693686' first='De'Arius' last='Hawkins']</strong></em> - 2025 - Spannaway Lake HS - He is a versatile player on the field, being elite at the cornerback position and defensive back positions. He reads the ball in the air well and has great anticipation when going for the ball while in the air. He wraps up with great technique, being one of the best open field tackling defensive backs in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='693729' first='Sage' last='Salopek'] </strong></em>- 2025 - O'Dea HS - Sage is a lock down corner who has great footwork and is able to stay with receivers smoothly. He plays press coverage excellent, enjoying the contact against the opposing players. Salopek can lay out the hammer too, being able to lay out ball carriers in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='693762' first='Sunny' last='Nguyen'] </strong></em>- 2025 - Timberline HS - Sunny just keeps improving and it is so fun to watch. His side of the field has always been lock down and he is just making his craft more well rounded as the years go on. Nguyen has improved a ton as an open field tackler and still has some of the best closing ability that a defensive back his age has.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Owen Hanstead </em></strong>- 2026 - Bellingham HS - Owen was a ball hawk last season, gathering 6/7 interceptions on the season. He stays with receivers nicely, displaying great speed and anticipation as a defensive back. He can play corner or safety, but excels with the freedom to roam around in the secondary and utilize his ability to read offenses quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->