6/22/2016 football Edit

Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge: Top defensive backs

Josh Helmholdt • Rivals.com

National Recruiting Analyst

ATLANTA – The top three ranked defensive backs in the 2017 class highlighted a deep field at the position for the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge Presented by Under Armour, but a trio of underclassmen also made their mark.

Recruiting Wrap: Wade just returned from visits to Alabama, Mississippi State and Penn State. He also plans to see Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and UCLA this summer.

Performance: After just missing out on Defensive Back MVP honors at this event a year ago, Wade took home the hardware in 2016. His day started off slow when it looked like he tweaked a knee and lost a step during early one-on-ones. When 7-on-7 play began, though, Wade was arguably the most dominant player on the field, making a ton of plays on the football and leading his Team Armour to the title.

Recruiting Wrap: Samuel listed a top 10 of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Tennessee in April.

Performance: Were it not for a dominant 7-on-7 performance from Wade, Samuel likely would have walked away with the MVP trophy. He was arguably the most consistently impressive defensive back over the entire day. Wide receivers could not shake the rising junior, who led all competitors with two interceptions in 7-on-7 play.

Recruiting Wrap: Okudah plans to announce a final six on July 11. Ohio State has long been considered the team to beat in his recruitment.

Performance: As the No. 9 ranked prospect in the 2017 class expectations for Okudah were high, and he delivered. The safety showed outstanding man coverage skills in one-on-ones, then almost single-handedly delivered Team Armour their only loss in 7-on-7 play when he intercepted a pass and broke up three more in the end zone in the opening contest of the event. The Texas native is a true playmaking safety prospect.

Recruiting Wrap: Cook lists no favorites early in his recruitment, but has kept up the most contact with Baylor, Georgia and TCU.

Performance: Cook was another underclassmen who surprised with his high finish in this ranking. The Houston native came to Atlanta under the radar considering the talent at the position, but served noticed early that he was up to the challenge with an excellent morning session of position work and one-on-ones. He also had a solid 7-on-7 showing, recording an interception and a deflection while helping Team Spotlight to a second-place finish.

Recruiting Wrap: Redd landed his most recent offer earlier this week from Arizona. He plans to release a list of favorites soon.

Performance: Redd makes the list based on his performance on both sides of the football, though he was primarily in Atlanta to play defense. The No. 4 ranked athlete prospect in the 2017 class worked at both cornerback and receiver for Team Highlight and was a stand out from both positions, recording a touchdown on offense and three pass break ups and an interception on defense during 7-on-7 play.

Recruiting Wrap: Terrell has a top six of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

Performance: One mark of a great cornerback is not having your name called, and Terrell locked down his side of the field during 7-on-7 play for the victorious Team Armour. He did not make as many plays as Wade did on the other side of the field, but he was not tested as much either. The tall and rangy cornerback also had a very strong morning session and shows rare fluidity for a player with his height.

Recruiting Wrap: The rising junior remains open, but expectations are he ends up at Miami, a school synonymous with the Blades family name.

Performance: Blades did not make as many highlight reel plays as the defensive backs elsewhere on this list, but one of the reasons for that is quarterbacks did not try his side of the field often. Keying in on him during one-on-one and 7-on-7 play, it was very apparent that he is far ahead of the curve from a technique and football IQ standpoint, which can be expected from a player with the last name “Blades.”

Recruiting Wrap: Graham decommitted from USC this spring. He plans to take official visits in the fall to Notre Dame, Oregon and UCLA.

Performance: Graham was another cornerback who quarterbacks did not test often. The Rivals100 prospect showed out more during one-on-ones when quarterbacks had to throw the ball to the receiver he was covering, but in 7-on-7 play there were not many opportunities for him to make a play on the football. Graham has the quickness, agility and instincts that make him an exceptional cover corner.

Recruiting Wrap: Stevens has a top seven of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee and LSU, but plans to take his recruitment slow.

Performance: After a standout morning session where he showed remarkable change of direction and closing speed for a big safety, the Rivals Camp defensive backs coach called Stevens one of the most skilled big athletes in the country. For all the success Stevens had in the morning session, though, he was basically invisible during the 7-on-7 portion of the camp, otherwise he would have finished higher on this list.

Recruiting Wrap: Bandy is committed to Oklahoma, but continues to entertain interest from Miami, Maryland, South Carolina, USC and others.

Performance: One of the smallest players at the event, Bandy showed up big at several points during the Five-Star Challenge. His low center of gravity allows for explosive change of direction and a tremendous break on the football and he also has the long speed to run with receivers down the field. Although he lacks height, Bandy is a solidly built prospect who has no problem with the physical aspects of the position.