Beehive Buzz: Defensive Backs

In this edition, we cover the back end of the defense, the ball hawks... the erasers...the defensive backs, We cover some key players you should know for 2025.    Dart is a big-time athlete for Corner Canyon. He is a two-way player that was impactful on both sides of the ball. As a defender, Dart is an eraser in the back half of the defense. Dart pops at field level and is a very instinctive player who deciphers plays quickly and eliminates big plays that come his way. He was a difference maker in Corner Canyon's big win over IMG Academy in 2024. Dart can play either Safety position but Free Safety is likely where his home will be due to his range, ball skills, and closing speed. Dart plays with his hair on fire and covers a lot of ground with each stride. He is a physical player who is not afraid to lay the wood to the ball carrier and make his presence known early and often. He is a fluid mover who changes direction on a dime and has great hips and vision. Dart is a tempo setter for Corner Canyon and a stellar safety. If Dart solely focused on being a receiver he would be a starting Power-Four caliber receiver. He has natural footwork and hands to play the position, showcases good route running chops, and creates separation after the catch. With his background as a defensive back, he understands the weak spot of a zone and will fill that void for easy completions for his quarterback. Dart projects as a high-level national recruit and should be coveted by the premium Power-Four programs.     Galea'i is a growing trend of just an athlete who isn't boxed in by the label of a position. He can play the WILL, SAM, and both Safety positions, agile enough to be a slot corner, and an EDGE rusher if needed. Galea'i is a player you get out there and have him impact the defense. His frame allows him to add on an additional 15 lbs easily, and he might naturally end up as a strong safety in a traditional defense that becomes a box safety that helps in run support. Galea'i is a playmaker who plays stronger than his weight would suggest. He will take on a blocker that outweighs him by 35+ lbs, hold his position in run support, shed his blocker, and make the tackle. Galea'i is a strong, physical player who uses excellent angles and techniques to make tackles. He plays at top speed on every play and that motor revigorates the defense. His style of play is infectious and reminds me of Michael Boulware, a player that outplays his weight and you find a way to get him on the field. Galeai also factored in on offense for Timpview and was an integral part as a Running Back. As a runner, Galea'i has good vision, is light on his feet, utilizes his cutback lanes, and knows when to be patient and when to explode. He has a nose for the endzone when on offense and one could argue, is the best pure runner on the team, with a blend of physicality and speed.     Rasmussen is an athletic mover who plays the boundary cornerback position. He showcases excellent recovery speed and change of direction. With loose hips, he's able to back peddle, turn and burn with ease, and has good instincts to stick to the receiver's hip pocket. Rasmussen has active hands, disrupts passes that come his way, and creates a lot of tip drills because of that. Rasmussen will fight through defenders, help out in run support, and isn't afraid to do the dirty work. He's a hard-nosed corner that coaches will love because of that effort. Rasmussen lines up exclusively as a boundary corner but is agile enough to line up as a slot corner to cover smaller, more elusive receivers. His active hands and closing speed help him be a nuisance to opposing receivers. Rasmussen's ability allows the defense to shade safety help elsewhere and he does well on an island as a cover corner.     Fale is a physical player who blends that physicality with excellent range and closing speed. As the deep safety and the hammer of the defense, he roams around and is an eraser. Fale is a heat-seeking missile, has excellent instincts, diagnoses plays early and often, and has the ball skills to create turnovers. He's not just a thumper on the back end, his range makes him an ideal free safety and frees up the defense knowing that Fale is there to cover up any mishaps. His range, instincts, and ball skills make him a fun prospect to watch and one of the best free safeties in the state.     Ellermeier has excellent ball skills and range. He is a ball-hawking Safety who can play both positions. Due to his skill set, being a free-roaming free safety is where his home will be. Ellermeier showcases good vision and instincts to go along with his closing speed but he isn't just an athlete playing the position. He is a physical player who will help out in run support and do the dirty work. Ellermeier takes good angles when coming up to make tackles and is not a defender who is only looking to make highlight reel plays.    Those are some high-level defensive backs in the state that you should familiarize yourself with. Next time, we go back on the offensive.

In this edition, we cover the back end of the defense, the ball hawks... the erasers...the defensive backs, We cover some key players you should know for 2025.