A Look at the Class of 2023: Top DB

With 20 Defensive Backs in the class of 2023 in the Prep Redzone Rankings, it is easy to see that there is a great abundance of talent at the position. Here are five very talented Defensive Backs who are looking to have a great Senior Season this fall. [player_tooltip player_id="274818" first="Jermaine" last="Mathews"], 6’0, 180, Winton Woods [player_tooltip player_id="274818" first="Jermaine" last="Mathews"] is the #1 ranked DB and the #4 ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. In 2021, he helped the Winton Woods Warriors to a 13 win season, held opposing offenses to 15.25 points per game and a victory in the Division II State Championship game. He plays as a CB. Against the run, he shows very good football intelligence as he quickly keys and diagnoses the play. He shows very good closing speed in pursuit and delivers a big hit to knock the ball loose causing a fumble. Against the pass, he is patient with his hands in press coverage and shows good quickness to match the feet of the WR at the LOS. He displays very good play speed and athletic ability to stay in phase with his man down the field. He exhibits excellent ball skills as he tracks the ball in the air and catches it at its highest point with very good hands as he comes down with the interception. [player_tooltip player_id="274821" first="Joshua" last="Fussell"], 6’0, 180, Lakota West [player_tooltip player_id="274821" first="Joshua" last="Fussell"] is the 2nd ranked DB and the 16th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. In 2021, he helped the Lakota West Thunderbirds to an 11 win season, held opposing offenses to 11.2 points per game and advanced to the 4th round of the playoffs. He plays as a CB. In off coverage, he effective uses his good quickness in his backpedal to keep WR in front of him. He quickly locates the ball, displays good closing speed to put himself in good position and displays good hands as he comes down with the interception and is also able to time his hands well to disrupt the trajectory of the ball for a PBU. Against the run, he uses his great acceleration to quickly penetrate the LOS while playing at good leverage before delivering a nice form tackle behind the LOS for a TFL. [player_tooltip player_id="274819" first="Cameron" last="Calhoun"], 6’2, 175, Winton Woods [player_tooltip player_id="274819" first="Cameron" last="Calhoun"] is the 3rd ranked DB and the 29th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. The future West Virginia Mountaineer along with his teammate [player_tooltip player_id="274818" first="Jermaine" last="Mathews"], form a dynamic duo at the CB position as they look to repeat as Division II State Champions in the fall. Against the pass, he shows the ability to stay in phase with XWR down the field with ease. Reads the QB well, tracks the ball in the air with great change of direction ability and shows good hands as he makes the interception. Against the run, he quickly reads the play and shows good play strength and tackling ability as he brings down the RB in the backfield for a TFL. [player_tooltip player_id="274820" first="Rasheem" last="Biles"], 6’2, 180, Pickerington Central [player_tooltip player_id="274820" first="Rasheem" last="Biles"] is the 4th ranked DB and the 43rd ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. In 2021, he helped the Pickerington Central Tigers to a 12 win season, held opposing offenses to only 9.3 points per game and advance to the 4th round of the playoffs. He plays as a SS. Against the pass, he reads the QB, shows good closing speed and delivers a powerful hit to the WR preventing a significant gain. Against the run, he squares his shoulders while displaying good explosiveness and play strength as he makes the tackle on larger RB with ease. [player_tooltip player_id="93338" first="Trevaughn" last="Jackson"], 5’11, 180, Washington [player_tooltip player_id="93338" first="Trevaughn" last="Jackson"] is the 7th ranked DB and the 82nd ranked player overall in the class of 2023. In 2021, his outstanding play was a bright spot in the 4-6 season of the Washington Blue Lions. He plays both Safety positions. Against the pass, he displays excellent range as he tracks the ball in the air and shows great hands as he easily makes the interception. Against the run, he uses his good play speed and instincts in pursuit while showing excellent explosiveness as he delivers a powerful hit knocking the ball loose for a fumble.