The Puget Sound’s Top 2023 CBs
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We’re less than a week away from high school football kicking off in Washington, meaning that we’re starting to finish up the Puget Sound Senior Standouts series. But that doesn’t mean the players we’re covering are getting any less talented;…
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Continue ReadingWe’re less than a week away from high school football kicking off in Washington, meaning that we’re starting to finish up the Puget Sound Senior Standouts series. But that doesn’t mean the players we’re covering are getting any less talented; if anything, the cornerback position int he area might be the strongest I’ve evaluated yet. Between a plethora of Power 5 commits in the area that will be suiting up for their finale season this fall and several others with multiple D1 offers, it is not hard to find talent at the position throughout the region. The Seattle area has been spoiled with defensive backs, between the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom in the early 2010’s and the University of Washington’s impressive turnout of top corner prospects, and the high school scene in the area is starting to repeat history. With that in mind, let’s break down some of the top senior prospects who will be playing on fall Saturday’s very soon.
Presley is a true do-it-all playmaker in the back end of Rainier Beach’s defense, and he is already set to take his talents down to Eugene once his high school playing days are finished. The first thing that stands out when you watch Presley’s film is how twitchy he is as an athlete. He is very quick to react to both ball carriers coming his way and receivers navigating their routes, allowing him to be around the ball and make plays consistently. He is very sticky in coverage without being too handsy and drawing flags, truly locking down whichever receiver he is matched up against. He also adds a physical element to his game; while some corners are afraid to come up and make tackles, Presley revels in being able to put his hat on a guy in the flat. There are not a lot of weaknesses in Presley’s game, and I fully expect him to turn in an excellent senior season and take that momentum to Oregon next fall.
Wagoner may not have elite size, but he makes up for that with exceptional athleticism and body control that makes him a player that the offense needs to account for on every play. A two-way star for Spanaway Lake, Wagoner is able to showcase his exceptional speed on offense, but it is his work on the defensive end that has him locked into the Oklahoma Sooners for college. When the ball is in the air, there is always a chance that Wagoner will come down with it, as he does a fantastic job of following the play and making a play even when he is out of position. He is also not afraid to come up in run support, something which Brent Venables will love as he continues his streak of developing top corners. Wagoner is another special player coming out of the area in 2023 and one that will be a playmaker for years to come.
Bound for Corvallis next fall, Jordan represents one half of a formidable cornerback tandem for the Eagles that will make passing on the team very difficult this season. It’s hard to watch Jordan and not be impressed by his body control and quickness, as he always finds himself in the right spot on the field and in position to make plays on the football. He has really good size and length for the position, which in and of itself makes him tough, but he combines that with plus athleticism and strong coverage techniques. When the ball is in the air, he looks like a receiver out there with how well he is able to track and play it, and he has enough physicality to make running in his zones a tough ask for opposing receivers. None of that is to speak on his return ability, another element of the game where Jordan has been able to excel. Along with Jaylon Jenkins Jaylon Jenkins 6’1″ | 180 lbs | DB Federal Way | 2023 State WA and junior Rahshawn Clark Rahshawn Clark 6’0″ | 180 lbs | ATH Garfield | 2024 State WA , Jordan will help Federal Way have one of the best secondaries in the area this coming season.
Chen is a swiss army knife in the defensive backfield for Mountain View, making plays at the cornerback and safety positions at a very high level. While Chen does hold Power 5 offers from schools like Penn State, Colorado, and Minnesota, he gets a little bit less attention than some of the other top defensive backs in the region, but I expect that to change this fall. Chen is a very physical player that has no problem ranging from either side of the field to make a play, and when he hits you, you feel it. He does a great job of recognizing the play at the snap and being in the best position possible to make an impact, whether that means catching an interception or coming up and making a crucial tackle. Chen is a guy that will stuff the defensive stat sheet with his play, and with another strong season, college evaluators should start flocking.
Daniels measures in at 5’11” 165, and while those numbers may scare off some schools, the talent is clear when you turn off the tape, and a number of FBS programs are hot in pursuit. It starts with his recognition and tracking ability, which allows him to always be in a position to make a play on the ball while it is in the air. However, the thing that stands out the most about Daniels is his pure speed. He looks like a track star in the open field, which helps him keep up with opposing receivers but also makes him extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands. His tackling technique is also impressive, as he keeps a low frame when he comes up to stop guys; his technique makes up for his lack of size and allows him to really pop offensive players that challenge him in space. Daniels is a really impressive athlete that will definitely be a playmaker at the next level, and I am looking forward to seeing how he performs for the Wolverines in 2022.
Brady is another guy that isn’t getting a ton of national attention right now, but make no mistake, this guy can fly. With a handful of offers already on the table, a big senior season on the stat sheet will go a long way towards building that number up prior to National Signing Day. West Seattle has designed ways to get the ball in his hands on offense and special teams, and he has paid that plan off handsomely, as he is consistently able to break big plays as a returner and receiver. However, offensive playmaking is not the reason that schools are looking at Brady right now; rather, it is his exceptional playmaking on the defensive side that makes him so dangerous. He thrives in the slot corner role, as he is equally proficient in coming off the edge and stopping plays in the backfield and shutting down opposing receivers deep down the field. No matter what Brady is doing on the field, you can see that he is a special athlete with impressive explosion and twitch, and whichever school he attends next fall will get an immediate playmaker.
Another part of Federal Way’s elite defensive back room, Jenkins brings excellent size and toughness to the position which allow him to make his mark on the field. Jenkins can lay the lumber on opposing ball carriers, consistently forcing turnovers in the form of both interceptions and fumbles. He has great range as well, especially when he lines up at safety, with the ability to make plays all over the field and consistently be around the ball regardless of his alignment. He is exceptionally smart as well, reading the field and reacting efficiently to consistently be in the right place at the right time. Jenkins holds a number of DI offers and could certainly see more with a big senior season. If Federal Way can turn in a strong 2022 from a team perspective, the senior Jenkins will certainly start to catch the eyes of college scouts.
Another player who will be teamed up with an elite fellow senior ( Caleb Presley Caleb Presley 6’0″ | 175 lbs | DB Eastside Catholic | 2023 State WA ), Robinson is in a position where he can seriously boost his stock on the recruiting trail with a big 2022. While Robinson does not boast elite size, I really like his feet and body control working in the backfield, as he does an excellent job of breaking on balls when they are in the air and making his presence felt on the field. With the ball in his hands, Robinson can truly exhibit his impressive athleticism; he boasts awesome speed and agility in open space which makes him tough to contain. What’s most impressive about his game though is just how well he reacts to the ball in the air, as he consistently gets his eyes in the right spot and makes plays. Robinson is a guy I will have my eye on this fall in terms of boosting his stock, as he has exceptional upside that I anticipate he will show off this season.