2025 Rankings Update: Defensive Backs You Don't Want to Challenge

A new configuration of the top five defensive backs highlights our Class of 2025 rankings update.    Moving two top-five players to new schools also changed the dynamics, some. But what remains is a group of safeties and corners who have played a major role in the state of South Carolina's defensive backfields over the course of the last few seasons and will continue to do so for one more fall.   This group has some star power, some major commitments already out of the way and a few more to follow.   Let's start by taking a look at all of the defensive backs we have ranked in this class.    BREAKING DOWN THE TOP 5   [player_tooltip player_id='276660' first='Christian' last='Henderson'] Hillcrest   As a junior at Greenville, Henderson put up a pair of interceptions and eight pass deflections to go along with 32 tackles and a couple tackles for loss. Part of his offseason included a transfer to nearby Hillcrest, where he steps in as a day-one starter. The Rams still have questions to be answered, but one of the corner spots is locked down.    [player_tooltip player_id='390438' first='Ramani' last='Bruton'] JL Mann   Like Henderson, Bruton also departed Greenville in the offseason. He landed with a JL Mann roster that is already strong but only gets that much better with him in tow. He was a Prep RedZone Fab 50 selection last fall and was a lock for our Preseason All-State squad, as well. Very few teams even tried to test him last year; oddly enough, one of his five interceptions came against the program he now calls home.    [player_tooltip player_id='1012606' first='Elgin' last='Sessions'] Dutch Fork   A near-perfect embodiment of the Dutch Fork culture, Sessions is a flexible cover and part-time safety who reads the ball extremely well whether it's in the air or in an opposing receiver's hands. He breaks up passes, picks off others, forces fumbles and blocks punts. He's in a constant state of pursuit within a matter of feet and he parlayed it into spot at West Virginia for next year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1249733' first='Onis' last='Konanbanny'] Heathwood Hall    Konanbany capped off an exciting recruiting cycle for him by verbally committing to Tennessee (over other finalist Florida State) on Friday. The corner had offers from all over the country from some of the biggest powerhouses at the college level. In the meantime, he's continued to prove he's among the top coverage players in the state.    [player_tooltip player_id='272699' first='Da'Marion' last='Coe'] Hartsville   After three years as a starter, Coe held on to the top overall positional spot in our rankings because of everything he's done despite everything that's been thrown in his direction. Despite role tweaks and missing teammates, he's piled up 247 career tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five interceptions. He boosts his stock with 35 career kickoff returns for 1,062 yards and six touchdowns.     TEN RISING STARS   [player_tooltip player_id='1360154' first='Namair' last='Anderson'] Blackville-Hilda   Anderson adds value to the Hawks by finding ways to stay on the field. No matter what an offense brings to the table, Anderson (42 tackles, tackle for loss, two interceptions, three pass deflections, forced fumble) moves back and forth between a traditional corner and a supporting safety from one play to the next. He's starting to attract some attention because of it.    [player_tooltip player_id='464891' first='Johoava' last='Williams'] Berkeley    The one-time Goose Creek Gator transferred over to Berkeley and then missed a good chunk of all of last year after the fact. Now, he's going to start at safety for the Stags and made some solid headway during the 7-on-7 slate. He's one of a relatively small number of seniors on the team and will slide into a leadership role for a team full of talent from that class down into the younger ranks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1254200' first='Freddie' last='Gillens'] Cardinal Newman   Gillens had one of the biggest jumps in our rankings between updates. Let's tell you why: His stats aren't all that great. But upon further review, we discovered that opposing quarterbacks were simply not targeting anyone in his general direction more often than not. His reputation precedes him and offensive coordinators typically just cut the field down and work passing lanes elsewhere.   [player_tooltip player_id='1249778' first='Jordan' last='Joe'] North Central   We bumped Joe 11 spots to No. 93 overall in our Class of 2025 rankings after some solid showings as a two-way threat during the offseason, specifically at the Carolinas Coaches Combines. He's a good receiver for a team that doesn't throw it a ton. He's a standout safety for a team that has four winnable games kicking off the 2024 season.    [player_tooltip player_id='1359126' first='Tyler' last='Washington-Broomfield'] Lakewood   It won't be long before Washington-Broomfileld's name start popping up more and more in college recruiting cycles. He reminds those in the state of Zeke Marshall - the Westside standout who helped the Rams win a state title last fall before moving out of state. Washington-Broomfield is long and rangy and brings some smoke to Lakewood's secondary.   [player_tooltip player_id='1012621' first='Devin' last='Geronomi'] White Knoll    Geronomi's responsibilities with one of the state's top defenses from last fall increase following a number of graduations. Let's cut to the chase: He's getting better at just the right time. The University of Richmond commitment brings a mean streak to the cornerback position and is flexible enough to drop into a safety spot and contribute against the run.    [player_tooltip player_id='1249747' first='Zach' last='Rogers'] Lewisville   Alongside defensive backfield mate [player_tooltip player_id='1165159' first='Jordan' last='Strong'], Rogers (pictured) helps form one of the better one-two tandems in the positional group in all of Class A ball. The senior is going to be tested early and often with the Lions' schedule (Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, Fairfield Central and Andrew Jackson are all on the non-region slate). Those games might just show how good Rogers can be on defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1249802' first='Damarcus' last='Leach'] Abbeville   We've known Leach as a tough-as-nails safety for some time. He's one part centerfielder, one part battering ram. He's a lock for all-state honors (again). In the months since Leach verbally committed to South Carolina, another development is what appears to be an even bigger role in the offensive backfield. In Abbeville, 2024 is going to be the Leach's season.   [player_tooltip player_id='272710' first='Malik' last='Mozone'] Silver Bluff   Mozone was part of a group of players who departed Aiken after some of the team's offseason uncertainty revolving around a late coaching change. For Mozone, it equated to a return to the team he played for last year. He's a physical safety who can cover near the line or blitz off the edge when the time arises. Like others on this list, we'll see him on offense a good bit, too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157893' first='Jordan' last='Crim'] Camden    The player known as “JoJo” didn't shoot up our rankings 33 spots overall because of his whimsical nickname. He's the team's top returning receiver (10 catches, 206 yards, three touchdowns), but we're more focused on his skills at corner. After all, we saw him pick off two passes in the season opener a year ago and he hasn't stopped getting better ever since.     FIVE DARK HORSE CANDIDATES   [player_tooltip player_id='1360393' first='Ty'Keylan' last='Campbell'] Blue Ridge   The corner was asked to do a little bit of everything in the defense last year, from corner to safety to even occasionally getting behind the line. His role becomes a little more defined this year with more help, and it might allow him to stand out even more.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360396' first='Davon' last='Evans'] Whale Branch   Often mislabeled as a full-time linebacker because everything is packed so tightly, Evans is definitely feeding into the misconception by how hard he tackles and how many different ways he can disrupt an offense's flow - from coverage to spying tailbacks to anticipating everyone on the field.    [player_tooltip player_id='1332044' first='Israel' last='Brown'] Myrtle Beach   After putting up 71 tackles, two picks and a fumble recovery as a sophomore, Brown missed all of the 2023 season. For obvious reasons, he dropped considerably in our rankings. But now he's back in pads and moving into one of the starting corner spots ready to make up for lost time.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360333' first='Carson' last='Haines'] Hilton Head    Haines will likely find himself in a situation where he can challenge his four interceptions from his junior year pretty early in the season. If things go the Seahawks' way, some of the teams on the schedule will be forced to throw more than they like. That's where Haines could make a huge impact.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360286' first='Tre' last='Shepard'] Hanahan    We see two things happening this year that put Shepard into a much higher tier. First, he's going to float between safety and corner given opposing scheme. Second, Hanahan probably won't be a run-heavy as they've been, leading to more possessions on both sides of the ball.

A new configuration of the top five defensive backs highlights our Class of 2025 rankings update.