Is Dix the top rated safety?
Last year Matt Elam was the consensus top safety in the state of Florida. This year that pick is even easier with Hasean Clinton Dix. We have covered football for a long time an Dix is one of those special talents that does not come around very often. The first time we watched his film as a sophomore at Edgewater, Dix stood out. Along with Dix are some other top flight safeties that should not be overlooked. Wayne Lyons, Karlos Williams, Marcus Roberson, Cortez Davis, Jabari Gorman, Jeremy Cash, Robenson Therezie Gerrod Holliman and Calvin Pryor round out the top ten. Once again this is a deep year in Florida for safeties. Look for as many as 30-40 to sign D1 scholarships.
1) Hasean Clinton Dix-Dr Phillips-6′1/200-(Committed to Alabama)-Dix is the top safety to come out of Florida since Reggie Nelson and Kenny Phillips were in high school. Dix is a better athlete then the prior two studs. He can play cornerback, safety and even some running back. Dix just makes plays when you turn on his film. There is not a better all-around defensive back in the country.
2) Karlos Williams-Ridge-6′2/210-(Committed to Florida State)-Williams is another very gifted athlete. He can excel both as a receiver or safety in college. Some want to move him to linebacker but Williams is fluid enough to play in the defensive backfield in college. He could eventually grow into a linebacker. Williams is already 6′2, 210 pounds and has the frame to get much bigger. He has all the physical skills you want to see in a football prospect.
3) Wayne Lyons-Dillard-6′0/190-Not only is Wayne a very good football player on the field, he is special off of it. Wayne has been one of the top safety prospects in Florida since his sophomore season. He had an impressive spring and continues to impress. We expect him to continue to get better once in college.
4) Jabari Gorman-Miami Pace-5′10/170- Even though Gorman is undersized don’t tell him. He is one of the more physical safeties you will see on a high school football field. He also showed his ability to drop back into coverage in his spring game as Gorman had two interceptions. He has been one of our favorite defensive backs for the past two years. Gorman may end up playing cornerback if he heads up north to the Big 10.
5) Cortez Davis-Mainland-6′3/200-(Committed to Florida State)-Davis plays cornerback but that is not going to be his natural position in college. He is big and can run. Davis does have pretty good cover skills. With his length, Davis can give receivers problems. He is more suited to playing free safety and be asked to be a center fielder. He can just go back into coverage and read the quarterbacks eyes. Davis also does not mind coming up and playing the run.
6) Marcus Roberson-Saint Thomas-6′1/180-Roberson has improved as much as any player in South Florida over the past year. He will be part of what could be one of the best secondaries in South Florida in 2010. Considering how much talent Saint Thomas lost this past off-season that is saying a lot. He can line up as a cornerback on some plays and outmuscle a receiver to the ball. He can also come up and help out in run support. Roberson continues to get better each time we see him play. That is not something we see changing anytime soon.
7)Gerrod Holliman-Southridge-6′0/185-What we like about Holliman is he has a knack for making big plays. He is very good in pass coverage. Against the run, Holliman is best at stretch plays. If the play is right in front of him, he can make a tackle. If you try and run away from him, Holliman is likely to take a ball carriers head off. He could play cornerback in some defensive schemes.
#8 Robenson Therezie-Miami Jackson-5′9/185-Therizie is without a doubt one of the more physical safeties you will see in Florida. He is not real big but Therezie plays big. He is built more like a running back then a defensive back. While he is a very good defensive back we feel Robenson would be one of the elite running backs in Florida this year. He will play on both sides of the football and excel.
9) Calvin Pryor-Port St Joe-6′1/190-Pryor is not talked about much but he could be one of the best safeties in Florida. He is a bigger kid who can play both on offense (RB) or defense (S). We like the versatile players who can go either way. He is a very good athlete and Pryor is on pace to have a big senior season. If he explodes on the scene like we expect look for Pryor to quietly move up this list.
10) Lamarcus Brutus-Treasure Coast-6′0/190-(Committed to Florida State)-When you watch him in person, Brutus is very confident in his ability to play the game. If he gets beat, Brutus will bounce back and make a play the next time. He is a leader on the field and that is something you need from a secondary player. He will most likely play safety in college.
11) Jeremy Cash-Plantation-6′2/185-(Committed to Ohio State)- On film you will notice that Cash is a pretty good athlete. He displays nice a combination of speed/quickness. What he needs to do is play with more consistency on the football field. He has the frame to eventually grow into a weak-side linebacker. He is better at stopping the run then going back into pass coverage.
12)Dallas Crawford-South Ft. Myers-5′10/185-One thing you can’t deny about Crawford is his ability to make plays. He had ten interceptions last season. Crawford is a big play guy. What we like about Crawford is he is confident in his ability to make plays. Crawford is St Ft Myers best athlete and that is one of the reasons why he plays quarterback as well.
13) Corey Tindal-Boyd Anderson-5′10/175-Last season when we watched Tindal play he put on a show. He has the ability to play on offense or defense. Tindal has the type of talent to excel at any level. As a safety he can come up and knock you out. He can also go back into pass coverage and stay with most any receiver. On offense, Tindal is a weapon as a running back or receiver. He is one of the better athletes on this list.
14) Jonathan Aiken-Chaminade-5′10/175-When you turn on Aiken film you may not see a better safety in run support. Aiken is very physical and does not mind playing the run. He tackles very well for a defensive back. He also makes a ton of plays on special teams. Where Aiken needs to improve is in pass coverage. If that part of his game improves look for him to shoot up this list.
15) Corian Hamilton-Olympia-6′2/200-Hamilton is a name that not many people talk about. He plays with very good range for a safety. You can put him on the hash and Hamilton can cover half the field. He may eventually grow into a linebacker. He has a nice frame and will end up one of the bigger safeties to come out of Florida this year.
Others to keep an eye on: Jermaine Reve-Northwestern-(Committed to UCF), Chris Garye-Lincoln-(Committed to USF), Terrance Floyd-Santaluces, Champ Lewis-Dunbar, Taylor Richards-Lake Mary, Khambrel Garland-Saint Thomas, Steven Montgomery-Miramar, Nick North-McArthur, Mike Easton-Winter Haven-(Committed to UCF), Joe Eason-Pahokee, Eric Farkas-Seminole, Larry Franklin-Vero Beach and Brandon Bragg-University-(Committed to UCF).
