Top DBs on my 2023 Watchlist
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The defensive back is arguably the toughest and hardest position on the field due to the lateral quickness that you need to keep up with wideouts. You either can keep up with the players on the field or you get…
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Continue ReadingThe defensive back is arguably the toughest and hardest position on the field due to the lateral quickness that you need to keep up with wideouts. You either can keep up with the players on the field or you get left in the dust, so let’s look at some players that I am watching going into next year.
Henry Theobald Henry Theobald 6'0" | 160 lbs | DB Sioux Falls O'Gorman | 2024 State SD – 6’0″ 160lbs, SF O’Gorman
Theobald is everything you want and more in a starting DB and more for the coverage that he provides on the field. Theobald is universal in what he can guard on the field, that being he can match up and guard just about anyone that he comes up against. His tenacity is what is truly second to none that is compared to others in his field of DBs. He can play any kind of set at a high level which makes him very appealing to scouts and colleges alike with what he gives to his team. He zips around the field with great speed, not to mention his excellent use of hands that makes a threat to any wideout that tries to get past him. Overall, Theobald showed to be a solid player and someone that you should be watching next year.
Evan Haug Evan Haug 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2024 State SD – 5’11” 170lbs, SF Jefferson
Huag will be a part of a new group in a secondary losing some of its top players and I have no worries that they have the talent to fill in the key pieces that they have lost. Haug is someone who plays hard and works harder, you can see that with the snaps that he takes on the field with his wanting to always outwork anyone. With that being said, I think with him getting more snaps and time on the field as a mainstay defensive back, I think he will quickly show to be one of the top defensive players on his team with his wanting to win. It is easy to find players who have talent and who can play at a high level, but it is even harder to find someone who has a work ethic and willingness to be better than his contemporaries. Watch out for Huag and see what he can do when he has the chance to play.
Manny Schmaus Manny Schmaus DB Sioux Falls Jefferson | 2024 SD – 5’11”, SF Jefferson
Like his aforementioned teammate, Schmaus will be getting more playing time next year with the loss of its senior players, I think we will see a big break in him. Schmaus can do just about anything you want in DB but he really seems to excel specifically in packages of man coverage where he can stick to his man and not give them any amount of breathing room. He has both a high floor and ceiling with his talents now due to his great ability to cover top wideouts and only has the ability to go up with his talents. I find him to be someone that colleges should start looking at now before someone can recruit him. His college-ready talent is what is most attractive to me compared to other prospects, his ability to play great coverage and not allow an inch of space is truly what makes him a top player to watch.
Boas Yoweli Boas Yoweli 5'7" | 145 lbs | DB Sioux Falls Lincoln | 2024 SD – 5’7″ 145lbs, SF Lincoln
Yoweli is someone on who I have not seen much coverage and I think he needs some more coverage because of the talents he has. What he brings to the table is someone who can play as a slot CB or ranging safety who can lurk defenders along with being someone who can shift the game in the favor of his team. Not only is he a fast and agile DB but he also can use some of his physicality to overpower slot wideouts who can try to break open and instead get jammed by Yoweli. He can stifle plays not only by disrupting the wideout at the line of scrimmage but also by being able to zip past the line of scrimmage to break up screen passes and other plays alike. The best way to describe Yoweli is a fast and agile disrupter who can benefit defenses with his hard playing and ability to cause chaos for an offense.