Florida dominates when it comes to producing five-star DBs

Over the history of Rivals dating back to 2002, certain states have produced more five-star prospects than others at certain positions. Today, we move to defensive backs: Which states have been most impactful and which ones have done surprisingly well?

*****

MORE IN THE SERIES: Five-star Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Offensive line | Defensive ends | Defensive tackles | Linebackers

CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series

*****

The names: Jaylon Jones, Craig Loston, Denver Harris, Tony Brown, Jeffrey Okudah, Edorian McCullough, Erick Young, Curtis Brown, Caden Sterns

Overview: Florida and California have dominated the five-star rankings of defensive backs through the Rivals era, but Texas is pumping out big-time players with many coming in the last few recruiting cycles. Harris is a five-star cornerback in the 2022 class; Jones earned his fifth-star late and is now playing at Texas A&M; Young was in the 2019 class, Sterns was in 2018 and Okudah was a star in the 2017 class before going to Ohio State and dominating there on his way to being the third overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Farrell’s take: Texas has produced many elite defensive backs over the years but recently that number has been on the rise. Okudah is probably the most successful of the group while Jones and Harris have tremendous potential. Once again it’s alarming to see how many got away from the Texas Longhorns.

The names: Tarvarus McFadden, Tyson Campbell, Akeem Dent, Kenneth Phillips, Lamarcus Joyner, Kevin Toliver, Karlos Williams, Leon Washington, Corey Collier, Dee Webb, Vernon Hargreaves III, Hasean Clinton-Dix, Shaun Wade, Jaheim Singletary, Leon McQuay, Pat Watkins, Matt Elam, James Williams, Tracy Howard, Devin Hester, Patrick Johnson (Peterson), Demetrice Morley, Tyreke Johnson, Patrick Surtain, Derwin James

Overview: There have been far more five-star defensive backs coming out of the state of Florida than anywhere else - California is in second place at 17 - and many of the top defensive players in the NFL started their careers in the state as well. It should not end anytime soon. The top two safeties in the 2021 class, Williams and Collier, are five-stars and Singletary is a five-star cornerback in the 2022 class. Also, the top two safeties in 2022 are from Florida although neither are five-stars yet.

Farrell’s take: Florida is by far the place for elite defensive backs and so many have gone on to success. Patrick Johnson is actually Patrick Peterson who is probably the most successful but Hester, James, Phillips, Washington, and Joyner have all gone on to great careers with a few at different positions. The first place you look for elite DBs is Florida.

The names: Janzen Jackson, Landon Collins, Tre’Davious White, Derek Stingley Jr.

Overview: LSU has earned the moniker DBU but either the Tigers have developed four- and three-star prospects or gone out-of-state to land a lot of those to cornerbacks and safeties. There have only been four five-star defensive backs in the Rivals era from that state and only two played at LSU in White and now Stingley, arguably the best defensive back in all of college football. Jackson picked Tennessee after being committed to LSU early in his recruitment and Collins picked Alabama over LSU at the Under Armour game.

Farrell’s take: Not a bad group, huh? It’s small but Jackson is the only bust and the others are all stars.

As stated, California leads the other states with 17 five-star defensive backs followed by Georgia with seven. Then there is a big drop-off to Alabama, Pennsylvania and Virginia with three each followed by Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio and Tennessee with two. Arizona, Arkansas, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Washington, D.C., have been represented with one five-star each.