2019 Defensive Backs

[TwentyTwo]

Last year Linebacker preview was started on May 6th ....is it ever too early ?

Here are just some of the Nations Top DB's for 2019! Recent NFL Drafts have not been kind to White DB's; too few & far between. But the ones that have gotten the opportunity have produced!

Tanner Muse (Sr) 6'-2" 230 Clemson...24 career starts on National Championship team; opted to forego NFL Draft ;hopefully will not outgrow position to hybrid OLB.....
164 career tackles (4.5 for loss), 10 passes broken up, 2.0 sacks, three interceptions for 89 yards (including a 64-yard return for a touchdown), a forced fumble and a 63-yard fumble return for a touchdown

Reed Blankenship (Jr.) 6'- 1" 195 Middle Tennessee..Athlon's said Ball Hawking Free Safety is "NFL Caliber".... First Team All-C-USA honors • Led defense with a career-best 107 tackles on the season to go with a personal high 8.0 TFLs, four interceptions and seven pass breakups

Justin Tranquill (Sr.) 5'-11" 190 Western Michigan ....Time flies ..Remember him being a Highly Ranked CB coming out of HS; Of course he was moved to Safety(knee injury set him back Soph. season/ 3 in his career) ....brother Drue was Drafted by the NFL Chargers

Scott Nelson (Soph.) 6'-2" 197 Wisconsin... Rangy Free Safety/Future Star/ reminds me a bit of Harrison Smith..Started 8 games last season as a Redshirt Freshman (missed 4 due to injury); had an INT & 6 Pass break-ups

Jeremy Fejedelem 5'-10" 185 (Sr.) Air Force...Athlon's Pre-Season 2nd Team All MWC...Free Safety that could play Corner Back if he were not so pale.....brother Clayton plays safety for the Cincinnati Bengals

Brody Hoying 5'-11" 203 (Sr.) Eastern Michigan ...3rd Team All MAC

Mike Palmer 6'-1" 195 (Jr.) Boston College...projected Starting Free Safety; Athlete produced when he played last season

Austin Lee (Sr.) 6'-0" 200 BYU....can play Both Safety positions..look for him to have Break out season

Andrew Bird (RS Fr.) 6'- 1" 177 Rice ...one of the few projected Starting White Corner Backs in the FBS

Riley Moss (Soph.) 6 '- 1" 191 ...Speedster Had 5 Starts; Only 1 of 3 Freshman that did not Redshirt last season ; Big 10 Fr. Player of Week vs. Minnesota w 2 INT's & nearly a TD/ currently 2nd team on Depth Chart...but look for him to Start before the season is over!

Chance Cook (Grad Transfer) 6'-0" 190 New Mexico State...Hard Hitting Strong Safety/ Projected Starter/ former Walk-on at Oklahoma State where he was Special Teams Captain & Started One Game ...too much talent to waste away. Good move!

Much like Taylor Rapp last season..there was question on whether or not to include Ashtyn Davis (Cal)??

Feel free to Add to the List anytime...i'm sure to be looking for some Under the Radar DB's during the Summer months

 

[Red Raider]

Bart Baratti (SR) 6’1” 202lbs
Miami (OH) safety got his first starts last year and produced with 40 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 INT. Plays like an in the box safety and makes lots of plays in the backfield. He only started 3 games last year so those stats should jump this season.


Trevor Denbow (JR) 6’0” 225lbs SMU
Started a few games at LB last year then made the rare move for a white player from OLB to S. He is a bigger guy but should be penciled in as a starter. 42 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and 1.5 sacks for him last year.


Nolan Turner (JR) 6’1” 200lbs Clemson
Played very well in national championship game and playing time increased as the season went on. Son of former NFL player Kevin Turner. Had 33 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and an INT in 2018.


Justus Parker (SR) 6’0” 210lbs TTU
Had a MONSTER sophomore year at Texas Tech and was named 2nd Team All-Big 12. Started to disappear some in 2018 because he split time with black DB Douglas Coleman and was typically avoided when on the field. Career totals are 61 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1 sack, 4 INT, 9 PD, 4 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD. New coaching staff and new defense, should maintain starting nickel role.



For me Ashtyn Davis and Boise State DB Kekoa Nawahine look as white as possible for non white players. I believe Ashtyn is 1/4 black and Nawahine is part Poly from his dad but has a full white mom. Still are outliers based on looks but not fully white.

 

[Shadowlight]

Thank you gentleman. Both TwentyTwo and Redraider are like a star safety tandem here at CF. I can't say star CBs. People will think you are black. Ha.

I would draft Tanner Muse on his looks alone. If that isn't a classic football mug then I don't know what is. Ha.

And his sterling teammate Nolan Turner has all the goods to become an NFL player. ESPN is unveiling this new ACC network and I might be out of luck. I am not shelling out big bucks to Comcast to move up a tier if they decide to put it there like they did the SEC network. Bad enough I extra pay for the sports package. So some Clemson games could end up there.

Two other players that popped into my mind to consider. Kansas State CB SR Johnny Durham #6 who was mentioned in a recent post.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct...aw2sVGhUrDKiXjIVPiZCjz9t&ust=1558551156635235



Also Wake Forest sophomore Luke Masterson who is often listed as a FS but plays in the box a lot. Seems like a DB but I am not 100% certain. Any thoughts?

Thanks again.

 

[Bucky]

Excellent! As always, the player threads are among the best this site has to offer!

 

[Red Raider]

An article I saw said Luke Masterson filled in at LB last year due to injuries but returned back to safety this spring with the possibility of filling in at LB again, so I think he definitely fits the criteria for a DB. I’ve noticed a trend of white DB’s being a lot bigger recently, like Masterson who is 6’2” 220lbs.

 

[Red Raider]

Brennan Thieneman (JR) 6’1” 200lbs Purdue
Brother of injured Giants UDFA Jacob Thieneman. Brennan got to start alongside Jacob during 3 games in 2018. He finished with 33 tackles and 4 PD. Should be able to earn a starting role this fall with his brother gone from the team.


UTSA starting SS in 2018 Andrew Martel has been moved to LB, Memphis hybrid Austin Hall is also listed at OLB now. Both are 215lbs.

Also I’m not sure why my pictures become small because they look normal when I post them at first.

 

[Leonardfan]

Great stuff guys! Hopefully I can count on you all to assist with the college write ups - it’s almost that time of year again!

 

[Heretic]

There's also Northwestern's Travis Whillock, who assumed the starting role against Iowa late last year and is projected to be the starter in 2019.

It was a long-awaited debut for Whillock, a high school teammate of Paddy Fisher, who sustained a season-ending injury his redshirt freshman year and didn’t play a snap his first two years on campus. It took him a few games to be healthy this season, but once on the field he was a reliable stalwart for Pat Fitzgerald and played a critical role as safety in the bend-don’t-break defense. In his first-career start at Iowa, he recovered a fumble, and while his solid play festered underneath the headlines, he took over the front page at Minnesota when he made 15 tackles, 11 of them solo, as the ‘Cats defense stifled the Gophers. He also recovered a fumble during the magical stretch of the third quarter of the Big Ten Championship.

 

[Red Raider]

Chase Kuerschen (JR) 6’1” 210lbs Tulane
Burst onto the scene as a true freshman and started most of the season due to injuries. Relegated to backup duty in 2018 as the starter returned. I don’t know too much about Tulane but Kuerschen should have a chance to earn a starting job or keep his rotational job. Career totals are 83 tackles, .5 for loss, 2 INT, 2 PD, 2 FF.

 

[Leonardfan]

Ben DeLuca S Charlotte

 

[Red Raider]

Brady Breeze (JR) 6’0” 195lbs Oregon
Was the top rated white safety in 2016, the last 2 seasons has seen lots of special teams duty and as a backup safety. Right now he appears to be the 3rd safety for Oregon but could find himself in the starting lineup with solid play and injuries to starters. Career stats of 33 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PD.


Collin Wilder (JR) 5’10” 195lbs Wisconsin
Transfer from Houston redshirted in 2018 while sitting out at a year. 4 year starter in high school should be on the 2 deep behind Scott Nelson. Only has 11 career tackles but Houston isn’t usually too friendly to white players and he had 13 offers coming out of HS.


Braxton Gunther (JR) 5’10” 185lbs Ut. State
Hasn’t played much in his career but is listed as a starter throughout spring football. Almost had a pick 6 during the spring game.

 

[Shadowlight]

Mentioned above but want him to have a photo op too. So here is SR CB Johnny Durham of Kansas State.

 

[TwentyTwo]

THANKS so much for all of the feedback from all of you!

LOL Shadowlight! Free Safety & Strong Safety. Who knows ...getting that itch! Maybe just maybe Corner Back!
Luke Masterson(Wake Forest) is Starting Strong Safety(Athlon's) ..but he & the other starter would have to fend of some challengers that had strong Spring's.
Yes Leonardfan...always good for a few College team previews.
Glad to see Travis Willock Starting! Heretic...

Many of those DB's listed above where sure to go on my next post! Ben DeLuca(Pre-Season 1st Team All Conf. USA )w Blankenship should have prolly gone on 1st post; Nolan Turner & Muse make Clemson FUN to watch!

Justus Parker & Chase Kuerschen(post him on Radar last season after strong Freshman season); are almost in the same boat ...BARELY ever saw them on the Field watching Texas Tech / Tulane games on TV...Hopefully they make IMPACT like their Soph. & Fr. seasons respectively!

Hope this is the Break-thru Year for Brady Breeze (Oregon)...he was Ranked fairly high coming out of HS. Transfer Collin Wilder would make for a nice Duo w Nelson at Wisconsin!

Coming out of HS in NOLA thought heavy hitting Garrett Wallow could possibly be an All SEC Safety one day; compared favorably to Craig Steltz
However this new breed HYBRID Linebacker position has really emerged; he's only 212lbs. ....I still consider him a SAFETY! (Chase Hansen; Dru Tranquil etc ; hopefully not Tanner Muse)

Garrett Wallow (Jr.) 6 '2 " 212 TCU ....3rd in Tackles ;among the team leaders with 5.5 tackles for a loss and 3.0 sacks..Started Seven Games (ONE at Safety vs. W.Va)

Grayson Cash (RS Soph.) 6'-0 190 ...UAB ...Projected Starting Free Safety ; 24 7 HS Recruiting listed him as Corner Back & Running Back; Athletic ; stay away from Baseball

Garrett Kaupilla (Sr.) 6 - 2 " 205 Air Force ..Starter at Strong Safety .makes for lethal Duo w J Fejedelem;( injury ended last season early) ; drawing comparisons w former All American DB Weston Steelhammer who should have gotten the chance at the Pro's

Stuart Head (Soph.) 6'-4" 201 Stanford...Listed as 3rd Safety (backing up BOTH Safety positions) like Breeze at Oregon' ; Bright Future! ; Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention

Ethan Bonner (Soph.) 6'- 1 181 Stanford ...another rare Corner Back; played in last 4 games as Freshman; youngster not yet in 2 Deep ..if any team gives him a fair shake ; it's this one! Hopefully will have an impact

 

[Red Raider]

I wonder if we’ll have a token FCS starting corner this year? 4 year starting CB at Colgate Tyler Castillo exhausted his eligibility, I’m hoping another white corner can emerge for a small school.

 

[Bucky]

I wonder if we’ll have a token FCS starting corner this year? 4 year starting CB at Colgate Tyler Castillo exhausted his eligibility, I’m hoping another white corner can emerge for a small school.

Raider that's the 1st I've heard of Castillo! Looks like he had quite a successful career at Colgate. 13 career INTs. I'll be on the hunt for the rare White CB at the FCS level as well.

 

[Red Raider]

Another DB to watch is Colorado State’s Quinn Brinnon as a true freshman he had 21 tackles 1 for loss and a FF while getting to start in 1 game. Likely not a starter this year but should be a starter by 2020.

 

[Red Raider]

Found some FCS gems from Lehigh. Both of their starting safeties the past 3 years have been white guys who are back for their senior years! 5th year senior Sam McCloskey (5’10 195lbs) has 183 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 INT, 11 PD, and 2 FF in his career and he also returns punts and kicks sometimes. His safety partner Riley O’Neil (6’0 205lbs) has been slightly more impressive with 164 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 3 INT, 11 PD, 2 FR, and 2 blocked kicks. Both being 4 year starters should hopefully get them tryouts next year in the NFL, but they very well could get no love.

 

[McCaffrey Dude]

This is pretty dire news but by my count we are down to around 16 total corners in the NCAA right now that MIGHT get playing time and I am counting 3 that are now safeties or used to play corner earlier in their careers. 2 new ones I dug up are Senior second team corner Brandon Ezell from San Jose State who probably will not see much action and one who looks really good in old video is junior transfer Will Brochinni who is second string right now at Old Dominion. He probably will wind up starting as he is very good on tape. He went to the same JUCO as Ryan Graham the Arkansas State 2nd string rb. To go off on a cb tangent I think Graham will proably wind up starting this year as his Sierra JUCO highlights are off the chart.
Not to sound like a troll here but backup rb , Cole Dubots of Washington State may be blazing fast but he has no wiggle whatsoever . I hoope Max Borghi takes % 100 of the snaps this year. Not quite Mccaffreyesque but he is going ot be the best hope we have in garnering Heisman mention.

 

[Red Raider]

This is pretty dire news but by my count we are down to around 16 total corners in the NCAA right now that MIGHT get playing time and I am counting 3 that are now safeties or used to play corner earlier in their careers. 2 new ones I dug up are Senior second team corner Brandon Ezell from San Jose State who probably will not see much action and one who looks really good in old video is junior transfer Will Brochinni who is second string right now at Old Dominion. He probably will wind up starting as he is very good on tape. He went to the same JUCO as Ryan Graham the Arkansas State 2nd string rb. To go off on a cb tangent I think Graham will proably wind up starting this year as his Sierra JUCO highlights are off the chart.
Not to sound like a troll here but backup rb , Cole Dubots of Washington State may be blazing fast but he has no wiggle whatsoever . I hoope Max Borghi takes % 100 of the snaps this year. Not quite Mccaffreyesque but he is going ot be the best hope we have in garnering Heisman mention.

I’ve been wondering what happened to Brandon Ezell, he was supported to be a starter last year and was listed 1st the entire offseason on the depth chart and as soon as the season started then BOOM he wasn’t on the roster anymore and didn’t play at all last year, I’m not sure what happened but it’s good to see that he’s back. Hopefully he can see the field and make a name for himself. His bio says that he was redshirted but I feel like it’s deeper than that because he was completely off the roster last year.

 

[Leonardfan]

Just saw that Justus Parker was suspended for the year and is collegiate career is over.
Unbelievable.

 

[Red Raider]

Just saw that Justus Parker was suspended for the year and is collegiate career is over.
Unbelievable.

That’s some pretty terrible news. It’s too bad he missed the supplemental draft. I wonder if he will continue to pursue a football career, has NFL size and 1 NFL worthy season in the Big 12. Interested to see if they will ever release the reasoning for the suspension.

 

[Red Raider]

Justus Parker revealed it was a banned substance he used to gain weight because he was going to play a more linebacker role in 2019. Extremely unfortunate.

 

[Leonardfan]

Justus Parker revealed it was a banned substance he used to gain weight because he was going to play a more linebacker role in 2019. Extremely unfortunate.

Should of just kept him at DB - alas the caste system strikes again.

 

[Red Raider]

I can’t believe I forgot about this guy!

Malcolm Rodriguez (JR) 6’0” 205lbs Ok State
First year starter in 2018 recorded 83 tackles, 5 for loss, and 1 forced fumble. He only had 1 pass deflection last year, it would be great to see him make more plays on the ball in the future. He’s known as one of the hardest hitters on the team and is very solid in the box too. Lets hope he can get some turnovers in 2019! In high school he was a 2 way starter at QB/DB and also was a state champion wrestler in addition to playing baseball, he’s a pure athlete.

 

[Red Raider]

Grant Stuard (JR) 6’1” 210lbs Houston
Houston will finally have a white defensive starter in nickelback Grant Stuard. As a sophomore he had 31 tackles with 2 for a loss. He also saw time at RB last season due to injuries. He reminds me of Justus Parker.