Rivals continues to roll out its updated rankings for the 2022 class, and our focus today moves to defensive backs. We touch on who is off to a hot start, what team is trending for big names early and a top player that will have a lot of eyes on him as we move into a new year.
2021 rankings: Cornerback | Safety
RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK SCHEDULE:
Monday: Five-Star Countdown
Tuesday: New Rivals250 | Big movers | Where five-stars stand | Five-star watch
Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released | Players on cusp of R250
Thursday: Defensive position rankings released
Friday: State rankings released
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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TEAMS WITH TOP COMMITS: Georgia and LSU
It is early, but two schools that have been consistently reeling in top defensive backs are doing it again early this cycle. LSU has three top defensive backs committed: cornerback Khamauri Rogers, a top 50 player, and safeties Bryce Anderson and Bryan Allen, two highly ranked four-stars in Texas.
Georgia, like it often does, has gotten off to a hot start in its home state. Deyon Bouie is from Kirby Smart’s alma mater (Bainbridge, Ga.) and Marquis Groves-Killebrew is a versatile defensive back from Brookwood, which is about an hour from Athens.
Expect these two SEC powers to add more talent to this position over the next year and battle for a top spot in the recruiting rankings.
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TEAM TO WATCH: North Carolina
Mack Brown has come in and quickly changed things in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels are recruiting at a much higher level already and are expected to sign a top 20 class, maybe top 15 when all is said and done in 2021.
They are likely to get things off to a very good start in 2022 as well. Virginia four-star cornerback Tayon Holloway is committing Christmas Day, and the Tar Heels are favored over Florida State, Maryland and Penn State. Holloway is the No. 60-ranked player in the country. If Brown, cornerbacks coach Dre Bly and those in Chapel Hill land Holloway Dec. 25, it would give them major momentum rolling into 2021.
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PLAYER TO WATCH: Jaheim Singletary
Singletary is the No. 3-ranked cornerback and the No. 7-ranked player, so he is a player that could basically go wherever he wants. He is down to Clemson, Florida, Georgia and Ohio State, with a decision coming Jan. 2. Most feel the Jacksonville (Fla.) native is likely to stay home with the Gators, but the Bulldogs have been talked about as a competitor over the last few months. He will have a lot of eyes on him early in 2021.
