2019 Defensive Backs

[Red Raider]

Will Warner (JR) 6’3” 205lbs Drake
One of the best ball-hawking safeties in the FCS, he had 3 interceptions in 2017 as a backup and exploded last year with an FCS leading 8 interceptions. He also led the FCS with 223 return yards on INT’s last year. Could be on NFL radar with 2 seasons left and great size.

 

[Leonardfan]

Week 2 accolades from PFF:

Tanner Muse, Clemson
Finishing the game with an interception in the red zone that thwarted a Texas A&M drive, Muse’s all-around performance garnered elite grades. He made two defensive stops in the run game and an additional pass breakup as he flew all over the field for the nation’s No. 1 team.

Nolan Borgersen, Boston College
On just 28 snaps, Borgersen was ultra-impressive with a strong performance in coverage. He saw two targets as the primary coverage defender, intercepting one and allowing one reception for just six yards.

Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State
Of his 14 total tackles, Rodriguez didn’t miss a single attempt, made seven defensive stops and even recorded a QB hurry on a blitz. It was an all-around strong performance for the junior.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

on Saturday against Purdue, Iowa cornerback, Riley Moss, saw his first extended action since returning from an injury earlier this season.

Moss was inserted into the game after Purdue’s talented (black) receiver David Bell repeatedly torched the starting corner. Moss was targeted 4 times, intercepting 1 pass, almost intercepting another, giving up a long reception over the top, and forcing an incompletion in the end zone. he also had a tackle for loss in run support. additionally, Bell ended up being moved to the opposite side of the field by Purdue, likely in large part because Moss was doing such a good job of taking him away.

all in all, it should be a VERY encouraging outing for the talented, but much-maligned, young athlete.

 

[Leonardfan]

Oregon junior S Brady Breeze earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors for his outstanding performance against USC.
The clear highlight to Breeze's day is the pick-six. Breeze's second-quarter pick-six put the Ducks out to a 21-10 lead, which ended up being 28-17 heading into halftime. Breeze (6'0/196) also posted a career-high and team-best seven tackles to help shut the Trojans out for most of the second half while Oregon's offense went on a scoring spree. Oregon, now with an 8-1 record, will face Arizona in two weeks.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

“Tre” Bugg, III for Air Force ... is he an “overachiever?” he looks pretty comfortable out there at corner, but he’s not very big and doesn’t appear to have elite speed. hard to think a “gym rat” with his measurements would get a shot at playing a verboten position ... that being said, again he looks very solid out there.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

by my (limited) observation, Iowa sophomore cornerback Riley Moss only gave up one completion in his extensive playing time today against previously undefeated #8 Minnesota. did anyone have a more focused report of his play?

he did get beat on a quick slant on another pass play, but the dynamic afflete dropped the throw. Moss also had a pretty pass breakup in the end zone and the game-clinching interception.

all in all, i’d say it was a strong performance for the young and oft-maligned talent.

 

[Shadowlight]

Two things from up above.

Air Force CB Milton Bugg is mixed.

You covered the Riley Moss performance very well. He was tremendous. They stayed away from him most of the game. Just a sophomore he was filling in for the starter. This was against a team that was throwing the ball all over the place coming into this game. Iowa and Moss snuffed them out.

We will have to wait and see how his career unfolds but make no mistake Moss is the closest one to becoming the Great White Hope. Meaning he has the best chance of a white CB of making it into the NFL. A lot of miles to travel for that but he is the leader of the pack at this juncture. Has all the tools. Time will tell.

 

[Shadowlight]

Clemson S Tanner Muse has been named to the 14 man semifinal list for the Thorpe award which is handed out to the best defensive back in the nation. See below nice article on Muse and his senior day experience yesterday.

https://www.postandcourier.com/spor...cle_a0718022-03fc-11ea-a2c9-f77fcd8c51c8.html

 

[Leonardfan]

Charlotte DB Ben DeLuca has been sidelined for most of the year with a shoulder injury. Hopefully he is able to get a redshirt and return next year as he only appeared in 2 games this season.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Iowa’s Riley Moss is projected to start this week against Illinois. hopefully, he will continue to trend upward, as his performance last week was strong.

 

[dwid]

Didn't see him here but when I was making a highlight of the tight end Adam Trautman I came across Brandon Easterling of Dayton, was a JR in 2019, listed at 6'0 203 he had 6 interceptions this year for a whopping 172 yards, as well as 140 tackles. One of those interceptions went for 100 yards. His 12.7 tackles per game ranks 2nd in the FCS, but if you go by solo tackles he is first in the FCS. He has more solo tackles than the number 1 guy Dante Olson (who looks like a promising White linebacker that I need to check out), who played in 3 more games than Brandon

 

[TwentyTwo]

Thanks dwid for the head's up on Easterling! Missed him when scouting big time TE Trautman (on Weekly Recaps regularly)
DB's are at a premium ...guys like Harrison Smith; Eric Weddle ; Jeff Heath etc can't play forever!

Was coming on to post about DB (Miami OH) Sterling Weatherford (Soph) 6'-4" 218! ...who slipped thru the cracks. #21 in tonight's Bowl game ; all over the field!

 

[Bucky]

Nice find on Easterling! It seems as if Dayton has been very white friendly to our Athletes over the year's! I've always cheered for them, had two former HS teammates that started there.

Nice! Weatherford is lanky tweener S/LB! Had 98tkls 2sacks and an INT on the year. Should put him on Draft Radar. Despite losing their Bowl Game. Miami(OH) seems to be trending up which is a positive sign their recent recruiting classes are paying off.

 

[Bucky]

Will Warner (JR) 6’3” 205lbs Drake
One of the best ball-hawking safeties in the FCS, he had 3 interceptions in 2017 as a backup and exploded last year with an FCS leading 8 interceptions. He also led the FCS with 223 return yards on INT’s last year. Could be on NFL radar with 2 seasons left and great size.
View attachment 2518

Another nice mention by Red Raider. Warner followed up his breakout Sophomore campaign with another 4 Interceptions. Should be squarely on NFL Radar. 6'3 205lbs. Ballhawking Safety now up to 15career INTS...

 

[Bucky]

Oregon junior S Brady Breeze earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors for his outstanding performance against USC.
The clear highlight to Breeze's day is the pick-six. Breeze's second-quarter pick-six put the Ducks out to a 21-10 lead, which ended up being 28-17 heading into halftime. Breeze (6'0/196) also posted a career-high and team-best seven tackles to help shut the Trojans out for most of the second half while Oregon's offense went on a scoring spree. Oregon, now with an 8-1 record, will face Arizona in two weeks.

Breeze had a good National Showing in The Rose Bowl against a quality team in Wisconsin. Another glimmer of hope for next generation of White Safeties.

 

[dwid]

Nice find on Easterling! It seems as if Dayton has been very white friendly to our Athletes over the year's! I've always cheered for them, had two former HS teammates that started there.

Nice! Weatherford is lanky tweener S/LB! Had 98tkls 2sacks and an INT on the year. Should put him on Draft Radar. Despite losing their Bowl Game. Miami(OH) seems to be trending up which is a positive sign their recent recruiting classes are paying off.

Yes they are very White friendly and appear to have a bunch of good players. Any clue as to why some players change numbers for some games?

 

[dwid]

Yes they are very White friendly and appear to have a bunch of good players. Any clue as to why some players change numbers for some games?

Just watched a Trautman interview and found out why they are so White friendly, Dayton doesn't offer athletic scholarships. Crazy because many of the guys on the team look like they would do well for an FBS team.

 

[Bucky]

Another good Athlete from The Ivy League. Cornell CB David Jones. 6ft 195. 9career INTs.

https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2020/01/david-jones/

 

[Red Raider]

Another good Athlete from The Ivy League. Cornell CB David Jones. 6ft 195. 9career INTs.

https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2020/01/david-jones/

Great find!

 

[Bucky]

Few updates on some of the above guys.

EMU's Brody Hoying capped off a tremendous career in The MAC. 81tkls, 1.5sacks and 4 Interceptions as a SR. Over 240tkls in his career and 6INTS for 210yds!

Miami OH Bart Baratti had 93tkls and an INT for a 35yd TD as a SR. 150tkls and 2INTs. Real long shot, ran a 6.82 3cone according to his Twitter.

Another underappreciated MAC Safety is Justin Tranquill. Another tackling machine with over 250+tkls and 3INTs in his career.

NMSU's Chance Cook was smart to transfer. Doesn't seem like much with only 42tkls but better than just playing special teams. 6ft and 210lb JR has another to improve.

 

[Red Raider]

Few updates on some of the above guys.

EMU's Brody Hoying capped off a tremendous career in The MAC. 81tkls, 1.5sacks and 4 Interceptions as a SR. Over 240tkls in his career and 6INTS for 210yds!

Miami OH Bart Baratti had 93tkls and an INT for a 35yd TD as a SR. 150tkls and 2INTs. Real long shot, ran a 6.82 3cone according to his Twitter.

If Brody Hoying was black he would’ve been invited to the combine... he had a great career as a 3 year starter.

Baratti’s fantastic senior season included 11.5 TFL as well which is impressive for a DB. I hope both of them attempt to continue their football careers.

 

[Bucky]

If Brody Hoying was black he would’ve been invited to the combine... he had a great career as a 3 year starter.

Baratti’s fantastic senior season included 11.5 TFL as well which is impressive for a DB. I hope both of them attempt to continue their football careers.

Agreed! I know @Shadowlight has griped about no love for IVY League skill players, same can be said for The MAC!

Finally found some pro day numbers for Hoying.
5'11 210lbs
40:4.62
Vert: 30inch
Broad: 9.5ft
SS: 4.1
3cone: 6.8
BP: 13reps

*Excellent agility, rest of his times/size/speed is on par for the average NFL Strong Safety despite the usual claims he's a below average athlete. His vertical is probably the most disappointing.

https://dailystandard.com/archive/2020-04-10/stories/40239/next-stop--nfl

 

[Bucky]

Good article on Reed Blankenship!

https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2020/05/reed-blankenship/

A white safety, we have not seen a great white safety in years. Eric Weddle and Harrison Smith come to mind, but neither have the athletic ability that Reed Blankenship possesses. The 6015, 196 pound safety has great ball skills, and is not afraid to hit you. He takes some of the best angles in all of college football. Reed Blankenship is a special player, and I think he will hear his name called in the 2021 NFL Draft. Remember this! – Damond Talbot, NFL Draft Diamonds Owner

 

[Red Raider]

Reed Blankenship is a monster. In a fair world he would be a 1st or 2nd round pick. Here’s his career stats even with missing about half of the 2019 season.
233 tackles
15.5 tackles for loss
2 sacks
8 INT’s returned for 148 yards and a TD
10 pass deflections
1 forced fumble
1 fumble recovery
8 punt returns for 104 yards

 

[Bucky]

Reed Blankenship is a monster. In a fair world he would be a 1st or 2nd round pick. Here’s his career stats even with missing about half of the 2019 season.
233 tackles
15.5 tackles for loss
2 sacks
8 INT’s returned for 148 yards and a TD
10 pass deflections
1 forced fumble
1 fumble recovery
8 punt returns for 104 yards

Impressive career thus far. Fingers crossed he's one of a few White Safeties drafted next season.