Notes from NY: Takeaways from the Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another offseason, another round of talent to evaluate. This time I headed north to New York to attend the Prep Redzone NY Showcase to see the best players the state had to offer. I was not disappointed one bit with the talent that was on display in the Empire State. Starting off my coverage, I began the day evaluating the defensive backs. While it was a smaller group compared to the QBs and WRs, there were gems within and they really shined when it came to the one on one's against the receivers. Here are my biggest takeaways from NY's defensive backs this past weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Follow me on X at <a href="https://x.com/JonDavalosFB">@jondavalosFB</a> to keep up to date with the Showcase series. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1285143"],"_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-693ff60c59475"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Omar was one of the clear standouts of the combine. Even though he took some reps with the wide receivers during individual drills, it was in the one on one battles where he really made his mark as a defensive back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Omar was extremely sticky in coverage, giving receivers no room to separate and leaving quarterbacks with very tight windows, if any at all. Time and again, Omar completely erased his matchup, effectively blanketing receivers throughout the session. He put an exclamation point on his performance by going over the top of a receiver to come down with an interception, showing strong ball skills and great instincts. Overall, Omar showed the confidence, competitiveness, and coverage ability you want to see from a high level defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1367178"],"_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-693ff60c594e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Darren was the top performing defensive back at the NY Showcase and consistently stood out throughout the day. He really shined during positional drills, showing sharp cuts, excellent change of direction ability, and a low pad level when driving back upfield. His footwork was clean and active at all times, allowing him to transition smoothly and get his hips around without losing balance or speed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In one on one situations, Darren mirrored receivers extremely well and stayed in phase throughout the route. He showed off his defensive back skills with a strong pass breakup, swatting the ball away in coverage and reinforcing his ability to make plays on the ball. Overall, Darren proved why he is the #1 DB and #10 overall prospect in the entire state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2066977"],"_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-693ff60c59529"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anthony is a lean, athletic defensive back who brought clear speed to the field and was one of the faster DBs at the event. His acceleration in a straight line stood out, and he showed impressive vertical ability by high pointing a ball in coverage. While his lateral movement isn't quite as polished yet, and his feet got caught a few times at the line of scrimmage, he never panicked. His recovery speed allows him to make up ground quickly and get back into the play, especially on underthrown balls. Overall, Anthony showed high upside traits with his speed and athleticism, and with continued refinement in his footwork and press technique, he has the tools to be a very effective defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2067634"],"_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-693ff60c5956f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Theodore is a taller defensive back with a high ceiling and a build that projects well, especially at the safety position. His long legs and stride give him the potential to cover a lot of ground quickly when playing over the top. During drills, he did a good job chopping his feet and coming back upfield, showing solid body control for his size. He had a tougher time in one on ones against some of the quicker, speedier receivers, but that didn't take away from his overall projection. With his length and range, Theodore looks best suited as a safety where he can read the play, stay deep, and use his athleticism to flourish in coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->