5 Breakout Candidates: Defensive Back

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're continuing our series examining potential breakout candidates in North Carolina by moving to the defensive back position. Typically, we see plenty of players who come out of nowhere at defensive back since experience and body type are huge at the position. Here are five players who could have breakout seasons at defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Candidates: Defensive Back</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311161"],"_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-6696bcc3e8aa1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Adkins is no stranger to the field, he's expected to have a huge role on Clayton's defense this season. The rising senior can play multiple positions on the defense, but he's likely playing a hybrid safety/linebacker position in 2024, where he can maximize his effectiveness by matching up in the slot or watching the quarterback's eyes to make plays in zone coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1128511"],"_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-6696bcc3e8b31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barber has long had the skills to be a solid cover corner, but his body hadn't quite caught up until now. He recently received an FCS offer from Lenoir-Rhyne and should thrive as a senior as a hard-hitting, ball-hawking corner. He has better length than his height suggests and this could be a huge year for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["740869"],"_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-6696bf3ec4b19"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The very definition of a potential breakout player, Kelly's numbers were good on junior-varsity, but he was too small to get meaningful minutes on varsity. He's now transformed his body and will compete for a starting safety job for Providence. He has a high football IQ and can really hit, giving him a chance to be a great varsity player and breakout safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1159953"],"_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-6696bf3ec4b5d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Henderson played all over the field as a freshman, his real breakout didn't happen until the offseason, when he started to gain some traction on the recruiting trail. On the field, though, he hasn't quite broken through as the elite player he's capabale of being. That should happen this season as a sophomore. His versatility is one of his best traits, but he's best suited at defensive back, where he'll likely play in college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894199"],"_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-6696c45cd58c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 2-way player, Coleman's upside is probably highest at free safety where he's a big hitter with good ball skills. This year, expect him to make a bigger impact on that side of the ball for a Swansboro defense looking to improve from last season. Coleman's athleticism should help them do just that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->