All-Underappreciated Team: Defensive Backs

As we wrap up our underappreciated series, we've reached the defensive backs. There are plenty of defensive backs across the state who don't get enough credit, especially because it's traditionally been a position littered with upperclassmen. Still, these five players have the stats, but not the recognition they deserve.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Five Underappreciated Defensive Backs</h2>    McDaniel isn't the biggest safety, but he has an extremely high football IQ and a nose for the football. McDaniel was extremely productive as a junior, racking up 81 tackles and six takeaways, in addition to forcing three fumbles. He lines up all over the defense for Cardinal Gibbons and gives the coaching staff a deployable chess piece against a variety of opponents.     Parker mirrors receivers well and isn't afraid to make risky breaks on the ball. He has the acceleration and speed to make those decisions count and he was rewarded with nine pass breakups and two interceptions as a junior. He operated mostly in the slot last season, but could see more action at outside corner as a senior.     A two-way player, we like Ford's upside better as a defensive back than as a receiver, because his length and athleticism are more difficult to find in prospects on that side of the ball. Ford had 51 tackles and six pass breakups on defense and he's able to use his acceleration and length to get to balls thrown to receivers right out of cuts. He can clean up his hips a bit but he's a solid defensive back prospect, especially after adding some weight in the offseason.     Parker has great length and recovery speed, giving him plenty of range at the safety position and making it difficult for quarterbacks to fit the ball into windows around him. If a pass is underthrown or floated, Parker is going to be there. His range in the running game is exceptional, as evidenced by his 98 tackles as a sophomore. He still has two years to showcase his talents and could easily move up our rankings with more solid film.     There are very few true ball-hawking safeties that can still be trusted to be left on ann island at corner, but Hines can do both of those things and has the full confidence of Myers Park's staff. He's got the athleticism, size and versatility to be a true FBS prospect and as that secondary continues to get more experienced, he will likely develop into a pure heavy-hitting safety with ball skills.

As we wrap up our underappreciated series, we've reached the defensive backs. There are plenty of defensive backs across the state who don't get enough credit, especially because it's traditionally been a position littered with upperclassmen. Still, these five players have the stats, but not the recognition they deserve.