Defensive Backs That Can Cover at the College Level

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>*Use code Johnson30 for 30% off on an annual Prep Redzone subscription*</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is so difficult to find talented defensive backs who can carry over their talents to the college level and make an equal impact at the next level. That stands true for cornerbacks and safeties. So when you find a kid that can do it you have to go after them early. The time where we see a lot of these breakouts is during summer camps where kids are getting tons of reps and winning at a high rate. So as we head towards summer I wanted to take time to dive into the rankings and identify some under the radar kids who deserve to be on the radar of D2 and D3 level schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1620375"],"_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-69fa6b4727029"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Waterford's [player_tooltip player_id='1620375' first='Mason' last='Thoen'] checks the boxes of a three down safety. He has a strong frame that has proven over and over to be very stout when tackling. It is impressive watching his instincts on the back end. When he reads run you see the flip switch to being aggressive, closing quick, and looking to hit. Mason does a great job of finding the ball vs option teams and really any time the ball is hidden on fakes/misdirections. In coverage the long safety is best when he can play over the top in a deep half and read and react to route concepts. The Waterford safety is a well rounded athlete who can definitely play safety at the next level. Plus he is so good in the box I wouldn't be surprised if he was given time to bulk up and transition to more of an LB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2103546"],"_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-69fa6b4727129"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alex is going to be a riser for us here at Prep Redzone during our next update. I love the tape and I know college coaches are going to be impressed this summer. The 6'1" 180 lbs is so well equipped to shine at safety. Easy range to roam from centerfield to the sideline on time. Very quick mental processing and understanding of where he needs to be to make plays. Alex pairs the mental and athletic tools with the hard-nosed tackling necessary to provide the run support needed from a three down, three level safety. Hudson used in all over the field in 2025, so I'm excited to watch his encore performance as a senior. I'm sure he will have several offers by the time week 1 rolls around. Don't miss out on this kid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1718756"],"_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-69fa6b47271e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I believe Demetris is listed as a safety, but his tape shows a long, lean athlete who lines up over WRs pretty often and successfully. His long frame is built for CB. Vertical speed, quick feet and hips to turn and run, and the awareness to know when to look back for the football to break up the pass. Having Vance at safety has also put him in position to get to show off that he is a willing and able tackler too. His position versatility could help raise his stock for teams and staffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2090975"],"_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-69fa6b4727289"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This is another intriguing, under the radar prospect. Laythan plays primarily at the safety and slot CB positions. The 5'10" 180 lbs athlete has a compact frame that is strongly built and has a lot of explosive burst loaded into it. Burst that has made him a great blitzer and also really good at playing tight coverage vs quick routes. When Hurst does play deeper in coverage he gets to display how well he can read and close on the ball in front of him. Plus the 2027 also offers some big play ability as a kick returner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1331350"],"_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-69fa6b472732b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Max is an athlete that fits your prototypical safety role. He has a big frame and uses that size and length to tackle soundly and also to break up passes downfield. The '27 safety has solid range and really good awareness while playing deep zone. That mental side allows him to be in the right place to make big plays for his defense. Not only can you trust him to play over the top, but in the redzone Max has shown he can play man to man and win battles in the quick passing game. His impressive size and strength has also made him become a reliable run filler too. I think he could really impress this summer in front of coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2086247"],"_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-69fa6b47273ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This is a fun one right here! Jonah is definitely undersized as a safety, but I can't argue against the way he plays on tape. This kid shows the speed to be literally everywhere on a given play. He covers ground so quickly, he accelerates within a couple strides and that top end speed opens up a lot of the field to him. Especially if the ball ever hangs in the air. The '27 safety has that fearless mentality when it comes to tackling and run defense that you need to see from your last line of defense. I love that we see clips of him playing all over the field and in different roles throughout the tape too. Versatile. Smart. Athletic. Playmaker. Don't sleep on this kid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2103619"],"_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-69fa6b47274b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carter is a sleeper CB out of Wisconsin Rapids to keep an eye on. Throughout his tape you see the 5'10" 160 lbs 2027 CB on an island in 1 on 1 man coverage. Carter has the speed and quick twitch to be able to press and get vertical up the field with HS WRs. When he plays off coverage it is great to see how quick he can transition out of his backpedal and attack downhill to the football. Plus we see him playing on the edge vs the run when he doesn't have a WR to his side. In those situations we see him flip from the athletic tools to more of his physical side where he is sticking some stout tackles. Everyone loves to find a steal. This kid could be that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->