Class of 2025: Top Defensive Backs in WNY

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last line of defense can be the most critical part of the game. These are the Cornerbacks and Safeties that will get a lot of looks their way as seniors in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["527728"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1234020,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The most explosive player on this list, [player_tooltip player_id='527728' first='Tray' last='Thompson'] had a monster junior season racking up 61 tackles, 5 interceptions, a fumble recovery and 2 defensive touchdowns. He is very versatile as he can play deep like a Safety or man up on a WR. Thompson has excellent awareness and can track the ball in the air better than anyone. Making All-League, All Western New York and All-State honors in 2023, [player_tooltip player_id='527728' first='Tray' last='Thompson'] is poised for a great senior season. He should get several high-profile collegiate offers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["806905"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"One of the more consistent high school prosects in Western New York, [player_tooltip player_id='806905' first='Reid' last='Ciocca'] enters his senior season with 161 career tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 5 fumble recoveries in 2 seasons. A two time All-League selection, Ciocca is a physical player that can play either Safety position; whether he is playing “centerfield” or coming down to make a tackle in the box. Reid takes on blockers with force and sheds very well.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["806954"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":1234022,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='806954' first='Kyler' last='Lee'] is the complete package at the Cornerback position. He has a high football IQ and his read and react timing is excellent. Lee can play man or zone; he can press or play soft coverage and his closing speed is spectacular. With 76 tackles and 4 interceptions in 2 years, [player_tooltip player_id='806954' first='Kyler' last='Lee'] has been overlooked by the All-State and All WNY committees but the tape doesn't lie. This is a player to watch out for in 2024.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["806362"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"After a solid sophomore season, [player_tooltip player_id='806362' first='Noah' last='Irby'] played a significant role as a junior, earning him 1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e team All-League honors and All WNY honorable mention. Irby is a good cover corner with solid hands and great awareness. Noah has the determination and heart to keep going until the play is over. He was also a major contributor to Maryvale's Special Teams unit. [player_tooltip player_id='806362' first='Noah' last='Irby'] enters his senior year with 67 tackles, 5 interceptions and 2 touchdowns to his credit.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1212870"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":1234029,"_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1212870' first='Cory' last='Holleran'] really made a name for himself as a Junior with 79 tackles and 4 interceptions; earning him 1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e team All-League and 2u003csupu003endu003c/supu003e team All-State honors as well as being a Big 30 All Star selection. Holleran is a sound tackler with good hands. He is fast and his football instincts are impeccable. He is a fierce defender and is seemingly always around the ball.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["648843"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":1234034,"_player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='648843' first='Gavin' last='Dundon'] is an extraordinary athlete; in addition to his Safety duties, Gavin earned 1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e team All-League and 2u003csupu003endu003c/supu003e team All WNY honors as a Kick Returner. He has an unique combination of speed, agility and toughness. Dundon loves contact. As a Safety, he plays a lot of deep zone but he is at his best when he comes down to make a tackle. [player_tooltip player_id='648843' first='Gavin' last='Dundon'] has accumulated 156 tackles in just 18 career games.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["806808"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_player_featured_image":1234036,"_player_evaluations_6_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='806808' first='Ben' last='Hansen'] is the quintessential Free Safety. He rarely gets beat deep and loves to play the ball as shown by his 6 career interceptions. Hansen will come down and make a tackle when needed with 82 tallies recorded in 2 seasons. [player_tooltip player_id='806808' first='Ben' last='Hansen'] has a slender build so he will need to bulk up to compete at the next level. He does have the talent to do so. As a three sport athlete, he should get quite a bit of collegiate attention in his senior season.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660dccd3367f5"} /-->