Best I Scouted 2024: Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB play in the state of Michigan is really strong! Throughout the season, I took note of a number of DBs that looked very good. Below are some of the top performers at the DB position! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1135187"],"_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-6759d92fa6de2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">TJ really surprised some people this season, but I have been following him for awhile so his performance did not shock me. This kid can flat out ball. Defensively he impressed me a number of times with his quick reactions, great speed and ability to high point the ball. He's very natural in the secondary and you can tell he knows his stuff. When I saw him play this season, he was able to disrupt the receiver off the ball and mess up any timing routes the offense had planned. TJ is a very good player who I think would make a roster at the D3 level better! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Zefi Gjelaj","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Armada","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-675c603252faa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zefi was another impressive piece of the Armada defense. More often than not, he was coming up and making plays in the run game, while also doing a great job of covering some difficult receivers. He possesses great closing speed and the ability to make a play on the ball without being flagged. He plays a clean game and is constantly keeping good position. Zefi was no doubt one of the best DBs I got to see in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1312082"],"_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-675c603252ff9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Miami OH is getting an absolute baller! The first thing I noticed was his size. He's a lanky 6'3 with long arms an a great ability to use those long arms to deflect passes at a great rate. On top of the size, he also has an insane vertical to go up and get the ball over smaller or weaker receivers. His size and vertical make him nearly impossible to throw on with much success. On top of all of this, his technique is immaculate. Great feet, fluid hips and ability to change direction makes him an all around threat. Desmon is going to be a very successful player at the next level! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["603743"],"_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-675c60325303b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elijah really only played defense the night I got to watch him, but he was absolutely an impact player. Multiple times throughout that game, he was tested on screens and short routes, and he absolutely blew them up. Dotson has one of the quickest reaction times I have seen regarding play recognition and getting where he needs to be. He's fast, athletic and has the football IQ to give him a huge leg up on the competition. Elijah is a high D1 kid who I think will flourish at Michigan! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["329420"],"_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-675c603253079"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After seeing him twice now, I can confidently say this is one of the best DBs in the entire country. He's built solid and can switch between corner and safety with ease. He's built incredibly solid and has the speed and agility to pair with it to make him an incredibly versatile and gifted defensive back. Alex is extremely physical in the run game, commonly coming downhill and laying some big shots from the safety position. At corner, he is solid in man coverage and has the change of direction and physicality to wipe a receiver out of the gameplan USC is getting a true do-it-all athlete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["566857"],"_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-675c6032530b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cortez is still a super underrated player in the state of Michigan. This kid is just a flat out competitor. He loves being in man coverage and takes pride in being able to pick off and deflect everything coming his way. He doesn't get beat with double moves and doesn't get beat out with speed. He is physical enough to battle bigger receivers and make their life extremely difficult. When I saw him against Oxford, I noticed him more than once shed a block to make a play on the ground as well. I really like what Porter has to offer at DB for someone at the next level, should he decide to go the football route. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899554"],"_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-675c603253101"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaden could have been put in a multitude of spots for "Best I Scouted" but I settled on DB for one specific reason. I haven't seen someone with the nose for the ball like Jaden all season long. Seriously, he was in on almost every tackle in the run game, and when the ball went in the air, it always seemed like Jaden was the one picking it off or breaking it up. This kid is a flat out baller on both sides of the ball, and Army has to be thrilled getting him. </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-675c60325313e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Isaac is still one of the best DBs in West Michigan. Week after week, he showed off elite speed, athleticism and football IQ. When I saw him in week 1, I felt like he was he was absolutely a GLIAC kid, and it looks like that was correct now that he is committed to GVSU. On top of his value in the secondary, he has demonstrated multiple times that he can be a very good returner in the kick and punt game. Isaac has a bright future and I'm looking forward to his success at Grand Valley! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->