Defensive Backs making noise in the offseason

In this edition, we talk about the secondary and five players who are making waves this offseason and will be impactful under those Friday night lights. Who are they? Let's find out!    Filitaula is an athletic chess piece on defense who will likely settle in as a Safety and hybrid on-ball backer versus spread offenses. That duality makes him a centerpiece of any defense as he showcases a great frame to grow into and should get to 215 lbs or more without limiting his skill set. Filitaula is a physical, hard-hitting playmaker with excellent speed. He moves well laterally and showcases a quick burst to make a play on the ball. Filitaula sheds blockers with ease and is excellent at anticipating, and when he plants that back foot, he attacks and finds ways to make a play on the ball. With his physicality and range, I like him as a strong safety where he can come down and help in run support, be a free mover pre-snap, and anchor to a defense. Filitaula has an immense ceiling and should be regionally recruited, and the upside of being a Power-Four starter.     Whitaker has a good frame and should add 10-15 lbs and get close to 185 lbs. He has good range and a good burst. Whitaker has the ability to play either Safety position and shows good physicality and is well-versed in run support, and is a willing tackler. He shows good coverage skills and displays good anticipation with active hands and good ball tracking skills. Whitaker is a good mover and showcases the ability to get small and weave through a cluster to get to the ball carrier. He is a player who should get regionally looked at in recruiting.     Fonua is an exciting two-way player and an athletically gifted playmaker. With his frame, I like him as a cornerback, and he eventually might slide in as a slot corner. Fonua shows good cover skills and twitchiness with good instinctive abilities to stick with bigger receivers. He displays good lateral quickness and physicality for his size. Fonua has good closing speed and tackling form. As a running back, he shows good athletic traits and works well in space with good speed. Fonua easily catches outside of his frame, and the ability to make defenders miss in the open space. He is an interesting prospect for the 2027 class, and his athletic traits should find him a home regionally in recruiting.     Mounga is a talented athlete with good size and frame. The versatile defensive back can line up at either Safety position and can cover slot receivers with ease. Mounga is a chess piece and blends physicality and good form tackling with range as a deep safety and closing speed to get to the ball carrier. In coverage, he shows good, active hands and good lateral movement to stick with receivers. Mounga is a good athlete and with another solid year should pick up steam in recruiting and will get looked at regionally.     Hunter is a two-way player with a frame to grow into. He's a lengthy player with good ball skills and hip mobility to move well laterally with a good quick burst. I like him as a cornerback. Hunter displays good cover skills and sticks to the hip of a receiver without any issues. He also has no issues in the open field and can turn and burn to run with a receiver and showcasing good ball tracking skills and active hands to disrupt the ball coming his way. As a receiver, Hunter showcases good hands and footwork and creates with the ball in his hands, and picks up chunk yards. He is a good athlete who is a good mover and an intriguing prospect in the 2027 class.    Those were five talented defensive backs that you need to know about and they will be players that make an impact for the upcoming season.

In this edition, we talk about the secondary and five players who are making waves this offseason and will be impactful under those Friday night lights. Who are they? Let's find out!