Top DB Jack Tarkowski Leads the Way for State's Top DBs

DB is one of the toughest positions in the sport. Either out on an island or covering a deep zone and trying to read and react and provide run support. The spotlight is bright on these athletes through the good and the bad moments. For the athletes in today's article the good far surpassed any weaknesses. We have a strong representation of the safety position and CB with legitimate college talent. They are a versatile bunch too, making plays in coverage and also getting involved against the run game. Let's dive in. Coaches, make sure to check in on the uncommitted seniors and the 2027s.    Stats: 7 Tackles   My top DB of state was Arrowhead's safety [player_tooltip player_id='533179' first='Jack' last='Tarkowski']. The senior is an athlete that you can plug and play and trust to be in the right place at the right time. He is a high IQ player who can diagnose plays and instantly trigger to the ball, closing quickly. He has an excellent balance of traits to shine in run support or pass coverage. The range, ball skills, football IQ, and tackling are perfectly molded for the safety position. Jack is committed to play at Youngstown State next fall. Good luck, Jack! Pumped for your future!     Stats: 12 Tackles 2 TFLs, .5 Sack   What a day for the junior safety out of West De Pere. Productive, clutch and showing off his high level traits while doing it. Cooper has an excellent frame to continue to build upon. The junior is a legitimate three level player. By that I mean you can ask him to roam the back end of the secondary as help over the top. You can ask him to play in the slot. You can also lean on him to be a powerful run supporter. Cooper even got after the QB in this game. He legitimately did a bit of everything in this game. He was also clutch, making multiple 4th down stops. Cooper had his breakout season in 2025. Big things ahead for him.     Stats: 2 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU   Jack has worked his way towards an impactful role in the Arrowhead secondary. That effort came together on an INT he made that would set up Arrowhead's first points of the game. The junior also got his hands on another pass to break it up. No doubt the athletic 2027 DB can play in space and run with receivers. When the moment comes he can compete at the catch point. The role should continue to grow for Jack as Arrowhead will see plenty of graduation in back end of the defense.     Stats: 6 Tackles   Alex is such an experienced athlete at CB. He earned all that playing time because of his gifts. Speed, agility, reactive athleticism to route breaks, and ball skills all have shined over the past two seasons. Alex also checks off the physicality box. He is a willing and able open field tackler. Alex proved that he is a kid that could be trusted out on an island in man to man coverage with no help over the top. On top of it, Ciak has several offers to play Lacrosse at the next level. He is an intriguing uncommitted prospect in this senior class.     Stats: 3 Tackles   It wasn't a crazy statistical night for 2027 DB Rex Helms, but the rising junior needs to be put in the spotlight for what he has done all season. Rex set the Bay Port school record with an elite 8 INTs this season. Rex is outstanding at reading the QB and/or route and closing at the perfect time. He did a great job this season baiting QBs into bad decisions and Rex has the ball skills to not only get his hands on the ball but also create those turnovers. Rex also is a high motor player that you can trust in the secondary to make that last line of defense tackle. I'm excited to learn more about this athlete over the next year.     Stats: 7 Tackles   Jonah was all over the field making his tackles during the D2 State Championship. He has the natural athleticism to play out in space and corral RBs/WRs in the open field. Jonah also made some flash plays in run support. Particularly the inside run game where he was quick to attack through gaps without hesitation and make stout tackles on the RB. We even saw the junior line up as a traditional LB to make some of those run support stops.     Stats: 7 Tackles, 2 TFLs   Facing off against a run heavy team like Mayville doesn't give you many chances to make traditional plays at CB. That was fine with Bryer who still was able to make his presence felt. The senior CB used his speed to fly through gaps on the edge to make tackles in the backfield. Bryer was just as aggressive closing on the ball as he was carrying it on offense. The senior was fearless in run support and made sure to get involved every chance he could.     Stats: 3 Tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 FR TD   It was a tough draw for Dylan and the C-FC defense in the D7 Championship. That didn't stop the junior from making a splash. Late in the game he made strong stop, and before he could go down ripped the ball away from the ball carrier and took it all the way in for the score. The junior was also a playmaker in the exciting Level 4 playoff game that I attended. When it comes to small schools, Dylan will be a defender to watch over this next year.

DB is one of the toughest positions in the sport. Either out on an island or covering a deep zone and trying to read and react and provide run support. The spotlight is bright on these athletes through the good and the bad moments. For the athletes in today's article the good far surpassed any weaknesses. We have a strong representation of the safety position and CB with legitimate college talent. They are a versatile bunch too, making plays in coverage and also getting involved against the run game. Let's dive in. Coaches, make sure to check in on the uncommitted seniors and the 2027s.