Position Preview: Defensive Backs To Watch In 2024 (Part 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Part 3 of a series, here are 10 more defensive backs you need to know for the upcoming 2024 season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137110' first='Jake' last='Angel'], Socorro</strong>: Angel showed plenty of promise last season as a sophomore with 42 tackles. Socorro reached the 3A quarterfinals in last year's playoffs and aspire to greater heights this season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266545' first='Amin' last='Cooper'], Albuquerque High</strong>: Cooper is still largely unproven at the varsity level but he may be one of the most intriguing defensive backs in the Albuquerque Metro Region. His speed&nbsp; stands out, which is not surprising considering he's the younger brother of former AHS DB Jabulani Cooper, who signed with Eastern New Mexico a couple of years ago. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259079' first='Jacob' last='Diaz'], Hobbs</strong>: Hobbs may have one of the top LB corps in the state this season but their talented on the back end as well with Diaz leading the way. He had 59 tackles and 3.0 TFL in 2023. Diaz and [player_tooltip player_id='1137893' first='Javen' last='Hernandez'] will be a formidable DB duo for the Eagles. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bradley Franco, Kirtland Central</strong>: Franco returns to safety for the Broncos after posting three interceptions in 2023. Kirtland Central looks to bounce back after failing to make the 4A playoffs in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1258085' first='Haden' last='Harcrow'], Artesia</strong>: Harcrow and the Artesia defense were a major reason the Bulldogs won a second consecutive Class 5A title in 2023. Harcrow and [player_tooltip player_id='1258083' first='Brody' last='McDonald'] are a talented safety duo for Artesia. The Bulldogs defense has next level talent at all three levels. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137902' first='Quintenn' last='McKinley'], Rio Rancho</strong>: The experienced offensive line is creating a buzz at Rio Rancho but the Rams secondary is pretty good too. As a sophomore in 2023, McKinley had 32 tackles, 3 INT and 11 passes defended. Those numbers mean McKinley made a lot of plays for Rio Rancho in 2023. Expect the same in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259065' first='Kinjii' last='Natonabah'], Newcomb</strong>: The Skyhawks have quietly built a solid program as they've bounced between Class 3A and 2A over the past decide. Natonabah enjoyed an outstanding junior season with 69 tackles and 8 QB hurries. His speed allows him to disrupt opposing offenses behind the line of scrimmage. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599919' first='Roman' last='Quintana'], Taos</strong>: Like most other outstanding players in northern New Mexico, Quintana is flying under the radar largely due to geography. But as a sophomore in 2023, he made 30 tackles with 2 passes defended. He'll be a major contributor on the Taos defense this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118058' first='Alex' last='Serrano'], Farmington</strong>: Serrano is competing to become Farmington's starting QB, so there's a chance he might not end up playing defensive back for the Scorpions, but he was certainly one of the top DBs in the Four Corners last season with 4 interceptions and 6.5 TFL. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137120' first='Finn' last='Thompson'], Albuquerque Academy</strong>: Thompson, a junior, proved to be a valuable playmaker for the Chargers defense in 2023 with 6 interceptions and 3 passes defended. Albuquerque Academy is looking to take the next step after a 6-6 campaign in 2023. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/FinnThompson_12/status/1717280343999582403","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/FinnThompson_12/status/1717280343999582403 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->