6/23/2015 football Edit

IMG Day 2: Top defensive performers

Rob Cassidy and Woody Wommack

Publisher

Recruiting wrap: Griffin is committed to Kentucky.

Performance: There's no doubting Griffin's physical gifts -- he's 6-foot-1 and 173 pounds with impressively long arms -- the type of attributes that pretty much every coaching staff looks for when identifying defensive back talent. And on Sunday, he did more than look the part of dominant defensive back, he also played like it. He made plays all over the field and was a big reason why Cam Newton's squad advanced to the championship game.

Shaun Wade (2017)

Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian

Recruiting wrap: Wade is committed to Ohio State but is still considering

Florida.

Performance: Wade is one of the best underclassman defensive backs in America. His long build, solid instincts and impressive quickness would make him a formidable 2016 prospect. The fact that he is a member of the

class of 2017 makes him even more interesting. As Wade matures as a football player, he will only get better. His upside is enough to make Buckeye fans downright giddy.

Auston Robertson

Fort Wayne (Ind.) Wayne

Recruiting wrap: Robertson is committed to Michigan State.

Performance: Robertson, who is listed in the Rivals.com database as a defensive

end, played linebacker on Sunday and played it particularly well. His long arms

and thick frame took away the middle of the field. Robertson carries decent size (6-5, 250)

and still manages to cover well in space, as he looks smooth moving laterally.

Julian Love

LaGrange Park (Ill.) Nazareth Academy

Recruiting wrap: Love is committed to Notre Dame.

Performance: Love was probably the best offensive player for the Chicago-area Boom squad that made a surprising run through the tournament but he also had plenty of success on the defensive side of the ball. The versatile athlete is just a playmaker, no matter which side of the ball he was on and his quick feet and terrific hands make him both a threat to score every time he touches the ball on offense or a threat to make an interception every time a pass comes his way on defense.

Henry Miller

Kissimmee (Fla.) Gateway

Recruiting wrap: Michigan State, Mississippi State, Kentucky and

North Carolina

are among the schools in the mix for Miller.

Performance: Miller was part of a loaded Pro Impact secondary that included Wade, Gardner as well as 2017 star Richard LeCounte. Miller managed to turn heads with his strength and showed good footwork and fluid hips for a player that measures 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds. Miller plays high school quarterback for his school and is still developing as a defender, but with his size and athleticism it's easy to see why so many schools are in pursuit.

LeAnthony Williams (2017)

Roswell, Ga.

Recruiting wrap: Williams is early on in his recruitment, but already boasts offers from Georgia, Alabama, Michigan and several other schools.

Performance: Williams continued his terrific month of June, helping lead his team to the championship game, just as he did at the Five-Star Challenge in Baltimore two weekends prior. Williams has terrific fundamentals and the technique of a much older player. With some more physical development still to come, he looks like a future national star at his position.

Steve Newbold

Miami Gardens (Fla.) Carol City

Recruiting wrap: Newbold holds an offer from Southern Illinois.

Performance: Newbold is a quick, aggressive defensive back with an ability to close in a hurry. Newbold (5-11, 170) was solid in coverage on Sunday but shined when he was tested over the middle. He jumped a number of routes to make vital plays on the ball.

Rodney Higdon

Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit

Recruiting wrap: Higdon is waiting for his first offer.

Performance: Higdon was among the most physical defensive backs at the event -- and that's saying something considering how chippy things got on Sunday. During one sequence, Higdon lined up opposite from a tight end and despite giving up at least 50 pounds, Higdon jammed him so hard he quit on the play before ever

passing the line of scrimmage. But it wasn't just his physicality at the line that impressed, Higdon also made several plays downfield, including a game-sealing interception.

Michael Hampton

Tampa (Fla.) Hillsborough

Recruiting wrap: Virginia, USF and Pittsburgh are Hampton's current leaders.

Performance: Team Tampa is known for having excellent defensive backs and Hampton carried the mantle for that group at this year's tournament. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound prospect has great size for a corner and he made several plays on the ball downfield in coverage. Ultimately Team Tampa came up short in it's quest for a third title, but it wasn't for lack of performance on Hampton's part.

ATH

Shyheim Carter

Kentwood, La.

Recruiting wrap: Carter is committed to Alabama.

Performance: Carter can play both ways but his focus was on defense for the Bootleggers team on Sunday and he was impressive in coverage. Even though the ball didn't come his way very often, his technique as a defensive back was impressive. Knowing Nick Saban's proclivity for turning impressive athletes into excellent defensive backs, it wouldn't be surprising to see Carter blossom as a full-time defensive back in college.

Monquavion Brinson

Atlanta (Ga.) Mays

Recruiting wrap: Brinson has several options, including Louisville and UCF.

Performance: Brinson was the most consistent defensive back for Cam Newton's other team at the tournament, a squad that nearly advanced to the finals as well. Brinson is known for his physicality, but his ability to cover down field was impressive as well. Once he's locked in and focused, Brinson's game fits the 7-on-7 format very well.

Jonari Brown

Fort Wayne (Ind.) Snider

Recruiting wrap: Brown is waiting on his first offer.

Performance: It was a terrific day for Brown as he played a major part in his team's undefeated run to the tournament title. He's a bit of a tweener between linebacker and safety, but his versatility is actually what helped him as he roamed the field making several key defensive plays, including a game-clinching interception.