Year of the DB….

One position that the state of Florida has never had a problem producing is defensive backs. The Sun-Shine state has produced some of the premier defensive backs over the past 30 years. From Sean Taylor to Deion Sanders, the state of Florida has never had a lack of talent at either cornerback or safety.

Here is a list of defensive backs from Florida who are in the NFL as we type this article. Charles Gaines (Miami Central), Marcus Roberson (Saint Thomas Aquinas), Nickell Robey (Frostproof), John Dowling (Bradenton Southeast),Xavier Rhodes (Miami Norland), PJ Williams (Vanguard), Mackenzie Alexander (Immokalee), Artie Burns (Miami Northwestern), Vernon Hargreaves (Wharton), Stanley Jean Baptiste (Champagnat Catholic), Jenoris Jenkins (Pahokee), Jabari Price (Ely), Damarius Randall (Pensacola), Keith Reaser (Killian), Josh Robinson (Plantation), Rashard Robinson (Ely), Keanu Neal (South Sumter), Brian Poole (Bradenton Southeast), Dominique Rodgers Cromartie (Bradenton), Kayvon Webster (Monsignor Pace) and Frankie Williams (Robinson) are just a few of the defensive backs that are from Florida.

When you look at the class of defensive backs for 2018 there may not be a more deeper or talented group then this year. Not only do you have to flight talent the depth is which is most impressive. It is going to be fun to watch this defensive back class as they enter college football next season. 

PROSPECTS LISTED BELOW ARE NOT BASED ON WHERE THEY WOULD BE RANKED STATE WIDE….Just a random list for both safeties and cornerbacks. 

Cornerbacks

1) Patrick Surtain -American Heritage Plantation-6’2-190- Been in the business for over 15 years only Patrick Peterson would rank higher coming out of Broward County. Surtain has the ability to start day 1 in college. 

2) Tyreke Johnson-Trinity Christian-6’1-200-If you evaluated him just off his finals appearance, Johnson would be ranked high. He has the size, speed and athletic ability to play anywhere in the secondary. He has been on the radar since he started in the state title game as an 8th grader. 

3) Tyson Campbell-American Heritage Plantation-6’2-190-If Campbell was not on the same team as Surtain, he would get more hype. He has great size and length to play in the secondary. He also has the type of demeanor you want in a secondary prospect. 

4) Asante Samuel-Saint Thomas Aquinas-5’9-165- Samuel has great feet and his technique is very good. He is not the biggest cornerback but Samuel plays big. He is one of the premier cornerbacks in the country. 

5) Isaiah Bolden-Wesley Chapel-6’3-170-(Committed to FSU)- Boldin is a tall, rangy cornerback. He also runs well. He is raw but the upside is there and that is a big reason why he holds so many offers. 

6) Al Blades Jr-Saint Thomas-6’0-170-There are so many things that go into evaluations. One thing that can’t be overlooked when evaluated is how much a kid loves the game and do they compete. One play has stood out to me with Blades. His offense was about to go into score a touchdown, a fumble happened and all Blades did was chase the defender down, strip them and recovered the fumble. You can’t teach a player to compete and no one competes more than Blades does. 

7) Gilbert Frierson-Coral Gables-6’1-180-(Committed to Miami)- Some players have IT….That is Gilbert. He has the IT factor. He plays the game with a ton of intensity. He is versatile enough to play safety or cornerback in college and have success. 

8) Jordan Minder-Wiregrass-6’1-180- Wiregrass is not a program known for producing a ton of D1 prospects. Minder will change that perception quickly. He has the type of size and speed you see coaches covet at the next level. 

9) Jalen Patterson-North Marion-5’11-180-(Committed to Miami)-Patterson is a prospect that can also play on either offense or defense. We project him more as a cornerback. Very good athlete that you just sign and find a position for them. 

 10) Sevyn Banks-Orlando Jones-6’1-180-Banks is starting to see his stock rise. You can’t teach what he has and that is size (6’1). 

11) David Wilson-Miami Northwestern-6’0-180-(Committed to Florida)- Wilson was a prospect we first saw play at Monsignor Pace. He wants to take his game to another level so he transferred to Northwestern. 

12) Kenih Lovely-Dwyer-5’10-175- Another tough, hardnosed football player. Lovely is not the biggest cornerback on the board but there are not many who are tougher. He is fluid for a defensive back. You watch him turn and run and it comes easy to this talented prospect. 

13) DJ Ivey-South Dade-6’1-180-(Committed to Miami)-Ivey has flown under the radar. He committed early to Miami and has been one of the forgotten players in this year’s class. He plays on a defense that will be one of the best in Dade County this season. 

 

Others with D1 offers.…Ken Montgomery-Hillsborough-6’1-155, Jeremy Trebbles-Venice-5’10-175, Teja Young-Palm Beach Lakes-5’11-170, Tomas Burns-Miami Northwestern-5’9-160-(Committed to Miami), Denadre Hollins-Tampa Jefferson-6’2-180, Montrae Braswell-Avon Park-5’11-180, Tyrone Collins-Braden River-5’11-180, Jarvis Ware-Wekiva-6’1-175 and Jermaine McMillian-Miami Edison-6’1-190, Timarcus Simpson-Sickles-6’0-180, Marquis Williams-Cardinal Gibbons-5’9-165, 

Safeties

1) Joshua Jobe-Columbus-6’0-180-(Committed to Miami)-Jobe is one of the best football players in Florida this year regardless of position. He is a big, physical defensive back that can match up against another team’s best receiver. He can play cornerback or safety in college. 

2) CJ Smith-Oxbridge-6’3-190-Smith is one of the better players people just don’t talk much about. He has the size and length that you want in a secondary prospect. 

3) Gurvan Hall-Palm Beach Lakes-5’11-175-Turn on Hall film and there may not be a more physical defensive back in Florida this year. He will try and take your head off. Hall is one of our favorites this season. 

4) Nadab Joseph-Miami Edison-6’2-180-(Committed to LSU)-Joseph is another kid who committed early before anyone really got the chance to watch him play. The one game we went to Joseph had three interceptions. You put him on the hash and have him cover half the field. 

5) Trenell Troutman-Saint Thomas-5’11-175-(Committed to Louisville)- Troutman is another prospect on this board that can play either safety or cornerback. 

6) Jamien Sherwood-Jensen Beach-6’3-200-Sherwood provides size that not many of the other safeties on the board do. It would not surprise us to see him grow into a linebacker in college. 

7) Cameron Jonas-Dwyer-6’1-190-Jonas plays receiver but it is as a safety we feel his greatest potential is at. He looks like a defensive back when you walk onto Dwyer practice field. 

8) Houston Griffith-IMG Academy-6’0-180-IMG has some gifted players and Griffith fits the bill. He is a big, athletic defensive back that is primed for a big senior year. 

9) Maxwell Worship-Cardinal Gibbons-6’2-190-Worship has not gotten a ton of hype. That is about to change as we expect him to have a monster spring. He looked very good at the UA Camp last month. 

10) Randy Russell-Carol City-5’11-180-Russell is a prospect we have liked for the past couple of seasons. He comes from a program that produces tough football players. He may not be the biggest or fastest prospect but there are not many who are tougher. 

11) Armani Adams-Lakewood-5’11-180-Every few seasons Lakewood will produce a top rated prospect. That could happen again this year with Adams. 

 12) James Anderson-South Dade-6’2-175-(Committed to Louisville)-Anderson has not gotten a ton of hype. He gives South Dade another big, physical defensive back. He committed to Louisville early but we expect after spring football there will be more teams fighting for his services in the fall. 

13) Sammy Faustin-Naples-6’2-175- Saw Faustin at the Miami Nike Camp. He is a big defensive back. He has the size and length that college coaches are looking for. He also comes from a program where their players are coached up. He just started drawing a ton of interest and we expect that to continue through spring football. 

 Others with D1 offers….Avonta Crim-Vanguard-6’0-190, V’Lique Carter-Oxbridge-5’11-162, Chamarri Corner-Trinity Christian-6’0-180-(Committed to Virginia Tech), Dequan Walker-Dwyer-5’10-175, Jaylen Key-Godby-6’1-180, Dyllon Lester-American Heritage Plantation-6’0-190, Jake Collins-Park Vista-6’2-190, Jordan Manning-Winter Park-6’1-190, Jalen Norwood-North Florida Christian-6’0-180, Amari Burney-Clearwater Central Catholic-6’1-210, Jakari Starling-American Heritage Delray-6’0-180, Hunter Goetz-Flanagan-6’1-170, Jarquez Dunmore-Godby-5’11-170