Five DBs fired up from Northwest and Central Arkansas!

The Defensive Back position in Arkansas has evolved over the years due to the potency of spread attacks widely used everywhere. DBs must be cunning and somewhat predictive in what they do. The WR always knows where they are going but the DBs do not. 7V7 tournaments help DBs tone their skills during the summer because of the type of event it is and they have fun doing it. Though passing attacks are only half the puzzle for DBs and are just as important helping defend the running attacks. Sometimes the DB is the last line of defense in stopping a long TD run and I have seen several opportunistic DBs chase down the runner, strip the ball, and recover the ball when all hoped seemed lost on that play. I will be looking at several DBs over the next week but here are five I think are worthy of some attention by colleges everywhere soon. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="130975" first="Jackson" last="West"]- </strong>2022 CB Heber Springs Panthers Spending most of his time on defense in 2020, Jackson wreaked havoc for his Panther teammates. Jackson stands at 6’2 and weighs in at 185 pounds. During Jackson’s junior year he recorded 65 TT, 6 TFLs, and 2 sacks. Jackson has long legs giving him a great speedy stride that helps him take great angles when needed to make the tackle across the field. Jackson has great vision and game awareness to figure out an opposing offensive play as quick as I have seen. Jackson is aggressive never letting receivers hold him unnecessarily and can get off blocks well making the tackle easily in open field. Jackson has a lot to offer any collegiate level team and I am looking forward to seeing him at camps this summer and this fall on Friday Nights. Colleges should have him on their defensive lists. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="75094" first="Landon" last="Phipps"]- </strong>2022 FS Springdale Bulldogs Landon is a two-way player who excels at both. standing at 6’0 and weighing in at 190 pounds, Landon is a beast in the secondary using his long stride and 4.5 speed to make tackles pretty much anywhere he wants to. Landon is incredibly good at seeing a play and knowing how to react quickly. Landon speeds downhill meeting the ball carrier before he gains any footing past the Linebackers. He has great angle capabilities using his great speed. Landon also uses his skills as a QB to help him in coverage against the passing game. In his Junior Year, Landon recorded 6 TT, 4 solo tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 FF. Landon could defiantly help any college on the defensive side of the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138176" first="Lawson" last="Beavers"] - </strong>2022 CB Quitman Bulldogs Lawson is a DB who has so much capability. Lawson stands at 5’10 and weighs in at 160 pounds. Lawson is also a great defender on the kickoff team for the Bulldogs using his 4.9 speed to get down field making the tackles. At CB he keeps his eyes locked in and is there immediately when the receiver does catch the ball leaving the yards after catch small. During Lawson’s Junior Year he recorded 13 TT and 3 PD in only seven games. Lawson has good game awareness and field awareness never getting lost in the shuffle but instead he seems to always know where he is on the field. From the CB position Lawson can defend both the run and pass. Colleges need to have Lawson on their defensive lists soon and make plans to go see him play because I cannot wait to see him play this Fall in Quitman, Arkansas. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138184" first="JB" last="Andela"]- </strong>2022 FS Springdale Bulldogs JB stands at 5’11 inches and weighs in at 175 pounds. He has tremendous speed running the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds. JB spent his junior year hitting opposing offenses who dared to enter the middle of the field and he hits hard! He recorded 4 solo tackles and 10 TT in just three games in 2020. On film JB uses his speed to track him anywhere he needs to be fast and makes great open field tackles. JB is a hitter, like a rattlesnake coiled up but with no warning of the impending strike. I am excited to see JB this Summer and Fall causing problems for opposing offenses of all types. Colleges should be watching JB early and often! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134994" first="Eddie" last="Mcdade"]- </strong>2022 CB Jacksonville Titans Eddie plays big time football and is a great weapon on both sides of the ball for the Titans. Eddie stands at 5’9 and weighs in at 160 pounds. What makes Eddie so special is his speed, hands, and ability to jump up with any receiver no matter how much taller they may be. Eddie can run toe to toe with any opposing receiver and is aggressive in fighting for the ball. Eddie has great defensive potential and should be on colleges defensive lists. I am looking forward to seeing him play this fall.