1A/2A DBs To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the season, realignment is at the top of my mind. For the first time, North Carolina is going to an 8A system, which will further stratify the schools. Over the last few weeks, I've been breaking down some of the players in the lower classifications.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're at the end of our series, and we're hitting the back end of the defense. Given that most teams run fluid schemes that put their best playmakers all over the field, I'm keeping the players in the secondary in a single "defensive backs" category, rather than separating them into safeties and corners. Here are some of the best 1A/2A DBs in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other 1A/2A Positions:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/1a-2a-qbs-to-know/">QBs</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/1a-2a-rbs-to-know/">RBs</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/1a-2a-wrs-to-know/">WRs</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/1a-2a-3a-4a-tes-to-know/">TEs</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/1a-2a-ol-to-know/">OL</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/1a-2a-idls-to-know/">IDL</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/1a-2a-edge-rushers-to-know/">Edge Rushers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/1a-2a-lbs-to-know/">LBs</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1A/2A DBs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1580029"],"_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-687f9e09912b5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vines does a little bit of everything for Wilson Prep, running for over 750 yards last season, catching seven touchdown passes, and making 40 tackles on defense. He's a natural athlete and football player, making huge plays in the secondary while being a focal point of his offense. That all-around ability makes his defensive contributions even more impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1721116"],"_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-687f9e099131d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Often operating out of the slot, Nance was a big-play machine last year for a talented Mountain Island Charter defense. He has a natural feel for route concepts and where the quarterback wants to go with the ball, leading to a number of pass breakups and interceptions that came when he'd peel off of his man and adjust to a ball thrown to a different receiver. That feel for the game should help him continue to get better as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1721126"],"_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-687f9e099136e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Murphy is no stranger to having talented athletes on the back end of the defense and Williams fits that mold. He can play multiple positions in the secondary and isn't afraid to hit people in the running game. He also had good ball production last season, with three picks and several pass deflections. All of that while being among the state leaders in tacklers in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1721132"],"_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-687f9e09913b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Morrow's instincts make him a perfect fit at free safety, where he can square up to the quarterback and read and react to the game in front of him. He flashes coverage skills in the slot, but he's at his best when he can watch the whole route tree develop and make plays with the ball in the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1721167"],"_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-687f9e09913f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams has been a long-time contributor at West Columbus, but improved his ball production as a defensive back in 2024, picking off four passes and doing some damage on the runback. That coincided with an increased role on the offensive side of the ball and as a senior, he has the look of a guy who could have a huge 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->