Mid-Atlantic: Former five-star DBs now shining on Saturdays
There are more than 20 former five-stars from the Mid-Atlantic in college right now, five of which are defensive backs. Nearly all of them have been impact players since they first stepped on campus. Check out how they’ve quickly made their presence felt and become key contributors for their team.
Blanding was the headliner of Virginia’s 2014 recruiting class and could quite possibly be its most successful defensive player since Chris Long. After an outstanding freshman year in which he started all 12 games, Blanding was named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and All-ACC second team. Even more impressive was that Blanding finished second in the ACC and 12th nationally in tackles. Blanding finished second in the ACC in tackles again his sophomore year and earned spots on the USA TODAY All-American second team and All-ACC first team. He began this season as the unquestioned leader at Virginia and was named to multiple award watch lists in the preseason.
There was a lot of debate about whether Fitzpatrick was deserving of his lofty ranking during the evaluation process. Rivals had him ranked highest of the major recruiting services and he has proved us right so far. The highlight of his freshman year was the Texas A&M game as he helped limit the Aggies' passing attack and came up with two interceptions. Fitzpatrick had a tough start to the national championship game against Clemson but bounced back in the second half. Freshman All-American and All-SEC Freshman honors capped a productive first year in Tuscaloosa.
It’s hard to remember a time when Peppers wasn’t a media sensation. He won four state championships in high school and was the most dominant player on the field for every high school game he played. At the Under Armour All-America Game, Peppers secured the top spot in the cornerback rankings.
Once in Ann Arbor, Peppers battle through injuries but broke out in 2015, earning multiple awards including Big Ten Freshman of the Year, All-Big Ten first team and All-American second team.
The 2016 season has started off very well for Peppers. He’s already earned multiple weekly awards and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week after the Colorado game. Peppers is the only Big Ten player to ever win both of those awards in the same week.
Tabor worked hard in high school to perfect all areas of his game and it paid off in the form of his five-star ranking. As a freshman Tabor played in every game en route to being named a Freshman All-American.
“Teez,” as he is known now, had a great 2015 season. He broke up 18 passes, returned two of his four interceptions for touchdowns and was named to the All-SEC first team. Tabor’s quotable personality has gained him lots of notoriety off the field and the media has taken advantage of that at every turn. He is a projected first-round pick for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Just starting his freshman year at Florida State, Taylor has already made some waves. During the preseason, he saw time working as the slot cornerback and even more time on special teams. Taylor saw significant time in Florida State’s first games of the year, logging four tackles. With star defensive back Derwin James out for a few weeks, look for Taylor to see more time each week this season and become a regular contributor.