Underclassmen Challenge: Ranking the DBs
DeSOTO, Texas -- The Rivals250 Underclassmen Challenge presented by Under Armour was the final event in the inaugural Rivals Camp Series. Rivals.com analyst Adam Gorney breaks down the top defensive backs from the event.
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RIVALS UNDERCLASSMEN CHALLENGE TOP DBS
1. CB Markale Moses, Broken Arrow, Okla.
Moses does not have any offers, but that should change soon. The smaller cornerback was exceptional, especially during one-on-one drills when he had at least three interceptions and a bunch of pass deflections and he made it generally difficult for receivers to get open. In drills, Moses showed good feet and a nice backpedal. He worked hard all day, never taking a play off.
2. CB Jamile Johnson, Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff
Johnson is a big, muscular cornerback who could grow into a safety or, if his physical maturation continues, move to linebacker in the years to come. Wherever he plays, Johnson is someone who makes a lot of plays, has excellent hands and vision to knock the ball down and runs well with receivers.
3. CB Ugo Amadi, Nashville (Tenn.) John Overton
Amadi is another prospect who does not have offers, but that could change any day. The Nashville recruit is a playmaker, and he was one of those players who seemed to do something positive during every rep in one-on-ones. Amadi is smooth, sleek and fast, and he breaks on the ball well and seems to know where it is going before the quarterback does.
4. CB Eric Lee, Highlands Ranch (Colo.) Valor Christian
Lee has excellent size and moves really well, especially during one-on-ones. The thing that stands out most about Lee is that he is never fooled by double moves and he doesn't seem to be at any disadvantage even without help over the top. Lee made a lot of nice plays and stuck by the receiver all day.
5. CB Ashton White, Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate Academy
White could be one of the next standout defensive backs coming out of Washington, D.C. He has good size, he's physically mature, and he is physical with receivers while moving well. White could stay at corner or move to safety. He made plays all over the place and was a leader during drills throughout the camp.
Thompson is a legit 6-foot-3 with a long and lanky muscular frame. He didn't take a tremendous amount of reps at safety but seemed to stick out during the camp. The AlabamaClick 6. S Deionte Thompson, Orange (Texas) West Orange-Stark Here to view this Link. commit knocked down a few passes because he's so rangy, and then he flipped to wide receiver and was unstoppable. There are many reasons the Crimson Tide took his pledge so early, and he showed them at camp.
Anderson is especially sticky in coverage, and he almost always makes a play on the ball. What stood out most about the Arizona StateClick 7. CB Avery Anderson, Colorado Springs (Colo.) Pine Creek Here to view this Link. commit is that, on deep routes, Anderson is right there the whole way, in the pocket of the receiver, and then he has the balance and athleticism to knock down the pass.
IllinoisClick 8. CB Kei Beckham, Trotwood (Ohio) Trotwood-Madison Here to view this Link. is the lone offer for Beckham, but it wouldn't be surprising if he lands many more Big Ten opportunities throughout his junior season. Beckham is productive. He knocks down passes, he's physical at the line, and he did everything possible to get known at the camp.
Antoine is a great-looking 2016 prospect who could earn SEC looks. The University Lab standout has great physical tools, and he was lauded by the coaches during drills because he listened to them and then did exactly what they said. He will visit FloridaClick 9. CB Malik Antoine, Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab Here to view this Link. and LSUClick 9. CB Malik Antoine, Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab Here to view this Link. soon, and things could pick up quickly.
The VanderbiltClick 10. S Donovan Sheffield, Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth Here to view this Link. commit is listed as a safety, but he could play cornerback because he's smooth and breaks on the ball well. Sheffield is also intelligent and seems to understand what the receiver is going to do even before he does it, which allows Sheffield to make plays on the ball. He had a bunch of knockdowns throughout the camp.
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