’25 Breakout Defensive Backs – Pt.1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2025 Rankings being a week away, here are five defensive backs who could have a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["298951"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a0ffca44dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chris is someone I've been covering for a long time. I cannot believe this guy has zero offers posted on Twitter! For the past three years, he's been a superstar two-way player on a widely unknown GR Union team. Now, at East Kentwood, Chris is looking to showcase his abilities on a grander stage. <br><br>On the Rankings he's a DB, but he's a two-way player. As a defensive back, Chris's fundamentals are solid, but admittedly not top-tier (still well-deserving of D2 offers IMO). What is top-tier is his reaction time, twitchiness, and playmaking skills. On top of that, he has fluid hips and can change direction on a dime. At the receiver position, Chris is a good route-runner. Plus, he can make plays running just about any route at any point of the field. I've been pounding the table for Chris for a long time, and I believe he's in for a major breakout season with East Kentwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["602426"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a0ffca4532"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Isaac is someone else who I've been impressed with for a while. A year ago, I loved his sophomore season tape and liked what I saw from him at the GVSU Prospect Camp. This year, I admittedly liked his Junior tape a little less. Though, I still know he's an extremely valuable asset to the Rockford defense. On top of that, Isaac earned a Ferris offer, which is right at the level I expect him to play at.<br><br>I haven't watched Isaac in person for a while, but I've seen him be a vocal leader as a Safety. Defending against the deep ball, Isaac can cover a ton of ground very quickly, oftentimes leading to a PBU. Next season, I'd love to see him gain another step and turn those PBUs into interceptions. Isaac also returns kicks and can play offense when asked. He's 100% a GLIAC prospect and I think the whole GLIAC could be after him if he has a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1298664"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a0ffca4571"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaheem is a relatively new prospect to me. I've seen him 3-4 times in person over the past 50 or so days, and I've liked what I've seen from him each time. Often running with a pack of Rouge DBs, I've consistently liked Jaheem's game the best. Compared with several other great DBs, Jaheem is a step faster and more reactive than most. On top of that, the stellar DB coaching at River Rouge makes me confident that Jaheem can play press, off-man, zone, etc. Lastly, Jaheem is amazing when the ball is in the air, being very good at breaking up passes. I'm frankly surprised to see Jaheem with only one offer from Wayne State. So, I fully expect him to be a great GLIAC prospect as the season rolls around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["244599"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a0ffca45ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Man, I've been watching Irving for a while now. When he was a freshman at Renaissance, I really liked his athleticism, work ethic, and overall natural talent. Now at Rouge, he's settled into a role and has undoubtedly improved as a defensive back. <br>In the times I've seen Irving in person, he's performed well. I don't think he has that top-tier athleticism needed to be a Division 1 athlete, but I also don't think he's a D3 prospect. His hips can be a little tight, fundamentals a little inconsistent, and can't recover as well as some of those D1 guys. That said, 90% of the time he does everything right on his reps. In addition to similar ball skills to Jaheem and co. Rouge has an extremely difficult schedule next season. If Irving performs as well as I think he can, he'll be a GLIAC prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1290446"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667a0ffca45e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'm sort-of taking a shot in the dark with Mhakai, but hey, sometimes you just get a gut feeling. Last season, I watched the entire Muskegon defense consistently improve and step up as the year went on. Mhakai was no exception, as I watched two amazing games from him in the playoffs against Mona Shores and De La Salle (State Championship). I admittedly didn't look too hard at his early-play fundamentals. But I did see him lock up several very good receivers and make good plays on the ball. He's a player I need to see more of, and as strange as it sounds, I believe there are several Muskegon players who are way under-recruited right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->