Rivals Camp Series: Ranking the defensive backs

The 2022 Rivals Camp Series regional stops are finished and only the Rivals Underclassmen Challenge remains, and that event looms large in a couple of weeks. This week, we are taking a position-by-position look at which prospects impressed us the most at the regional events this year.

MORE FROM THIS SERIES: Ranking the QBs | RBs | WRs/TEs | OL | DL | LB

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CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State

CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State

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RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Info for 2022 series

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Terrell is silky smooth as a cornerback, flips his hips and runs and while he’s not the strongest cornerback ever the four-star from Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake is always in the hip pocket of the receiver. There’s no fooling Terrell who doesn’t bite on double moves, seems to know all the tricks and then has nice length to stick his hand in there to poke it away.

We will see if Snowden stays at cornerback over the long term or if he moves to safety because he definitely has the size to make an impact at other positions on the defense. The Roseville, Mich., standout has length, a smooth backpedal and then he can break on the ball to make it really difficult for receivers. Size is no issue, length is no issue and then Snowden has great timing and vision to either intercept the pass or knock it away from receivers.

Mack can mirror receivers, stay with them through their routes and then deflect the pass or step in front of it for an interception without being too handsy the entire way. The 2024 prospect from Marrero (La.) John Ehret can be physical when he wants to be but Mack is best when he can turn and run with receivers and then time his jump or turn his head at exactly the right time to make it difficult on receivers.

The 2024 four-star cornerback from Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph’s is never going to be a big, thick, physical player but there aren’t many prospects at his position with the bouncy athleticism Agard plays with. He can high-point the football so well and Agard also does a phenomenal job of letting the receiver get through his route and then step in front of the pass to pick it off. Agard plays with confidence, he’s physical when he needs to be without being over the top and he’s great at getting in front to make a play on the ball at the last second.

If there’s one thing that stands out about Cotman’s game it is unbridled intensity playing the position. The four-star cornerback from Chester (Va.) Life Christian Academy likes to chirp at receivers, likes to play with toughness, he seems to thrive off it, and Cotman is also really smooth as receivers get through their routes and then he makes a play on the ball. Cotman is not going to be quiet on the football field but he needs that type of play to reach his potential. As the success builds for Cotman, he only gets more confident and plays even better.

The Georgia commit is a physical cornerback who relies on moving receivers off their routes, driving them to the sideline and limiting their space to make a play on the ball. Rhett has good speed but the physical nature he plays with is his best attribute. In the SEC, Rhett should be able to be tough with receivers at the line of scrimmage and make every move down the field difficult. Once the ball gets there, Rhett always has the ability to get his hand in there to knock it away.

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The Houston (Texas) Mayde Creek four-star is not the tallest cornerback and doesn’t have elite length but Wilson is physical, knocks receivers off their path and then has an extra gear to catch up if he’s a step behind to make a play on the ball. Wilson also showed off his toughness and after getting injured during the camp coming back into the 1-on-1 session when it was not really necessary for him to show more.

Numerous times, the 2024 four-star safety was matched up against four-star receiver James Madison during the one-on-one session and Williams did an excellent job. If the receiver tried to go inside, Williams would step in front, on comeback routes, the 2024 recruit would break on the ball and poke it away or rip it out and on any deep ball that was even slightly underthrown, Williams would be right there to tip it away.

From a technical standpoint, from the backpedal, to breaking on the ball, to not holding but being able to reroute receivers, Snowden was excellent against some top-notch receivers in Los Angeles. Not only is his game sound on all levels but Snowden can make some highlight plays and he’s just a reliable cornerback who’s not going to take unnecessary chances or hold all the way through the route.

One of the best-looking athletes in the entire Rivals Camp Series, the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Chattanooga Christian School standout is a multi-positional player who looked very good during the Philadelphia stop. He’s thick and physical, he can run with receivers and since he also plays multiple positions on offenses he’s not fooled by what his opponent is trying to do. Carter has an extra gear that he can find when trailing the receiver to make up ground and knock passes away. In college, Carter wants to play receiver or corner but coming out of the backfield is a possibility, too.