2021 Defensive Backs

[TwentyTwo]

DB's like Harrison Smith & Daniel Sorenson can not play in the NFL forever...eventually they will need to Retire and be replaced. Who will they pass the baton too?? Still miss watching Eric Weddle play....

Reed Blankenship (Sr.) 6'-1" 204 Middle Tennessee "Free Safety"
Really thought he would enter this years NFL Draft
309 career Tackles! 8 INT's ; 16.5 TFL; 2 Blocks
Bednarik Award Watch List
• Named to Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
• Senior Bowl Watch List
• Named to Bruce Feldman’s “Freak” List

Nolan Turner (Sr.) 6'-1" 205 Clemson "Free Safety"
announced that he will take advantage of the extra year of eligibility for a sixth season in 2021.
190 tackles (11.5 for loss), 17 passes broken up, six interceptions returned 76 yards, a sack and a forced fumble in 1,537 snaps over 55 career games (15 starts).
Former 2 Star HS Recruit
Dad Kevin played Fullback in the NFL

Jack Koerner (Sr.) 6'-0 204 Iowa "Free Safety"
Former WALK-ON now Preseason second-team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele
128 career Tackles ; 4 INT's ;


Nick Andersen (Soph.) 5'-11" 185 Wake Forest "Strong Safety"
Former WALK-ON = No more! Earned starting job as Freshman! Future Honey Badger-like instincts!
Preseason second team All-ACC status Athlon Sports and Lindy's Sports.
2021 Roster. not updated?..not sure if he is still 185lbs?
"Ultimate Caste story" who forced his way on team with try out
https://nsjonline.com/article/2020/...ck-anderson-earns-scholarship-after-big-game/

Riley Moss (Sr.) 6-1" 194 Iowa "CORNER BACK"
Preseason second-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele
6 Career INT's & TD..16 Pass Deflections
53 yard Pick Six vs Michigan State (also had 57 yard INT return vs. Minnesota)

Hudson Clark (rs Soph.) 6'-2" 180 Arkansas "CORNER BACK"
Former WALK-ON got the opportunity to Start as a Redshirt Freshman last season; after other players were forced to sit out COVID; splash debut ; then 3 INT's in only 3rd start vs. Ole Miss!
""Another Ultimate Caste Story"!

Scott Nelson (Sr.) 6'-2" 204 Wisconsin "Free Safety"
Strong bounce back last season after being injured most of '19....numbers would have been incredible had COVID been a full season! 3 INT's; 12 PD's; 7.5 TkFL & 1 FF
Surely worth a NFL Draft pick

Sterling Weatherford (RS Jr.) 6'-4" 221 Miami (OH) "Strong Safety"
143 career tackles ; 8.5 TFL; 2 INT's ; 17 PD's; 2 FF; 3 FR; Athlon's Pre Season MAC 3rd team
Versatile player makes plays all over field ; should be on NFL radar

Asa Turner (Soph or Jr? ) 6'-3" 210 Washington "Strong Safety"
Strong Safety did not play in Spring w foot injury; will have to regain starting spot; 2 INT's in 9 games started
Looking for him in the 2023 NFL Draft

Andrew Bird (rs Soph) 6'-1" 185 Rice "CORNER BACK"
11 career starts? 2 Career INT's ; 7 PD's ; C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll (2020, 2021)
Our Lads list him as a "Starter"; but Athlon's list him 2nd team

Will add some more later...be sure to chime in ; value your imput!

 

[TwentyTwo]

Finding starting white DB's at the P5/FBS Level not as many as hoped for.... some spots will be fought for in August Summer Camp

Collin Wilder (Sr.) 5'-10" 201 Wisconsin "Strong Safety"
2 INT's ; 49 tackles ; 8 PD's
Career started at Houston ; from Katy TX
Nice 1 - 2 punch @ Safety with Scott Nelson

Kevin Brennan (Sr.) 5'-11" 199 Navy "Free Safety"
Athlon's Pre Season 3rd Team All C-USA
2nd leading tackler on team last season w 68; 11 PD's ; 2 career INT's; 4 TFL

Alex Spillum (rs Sr.) 6'-2" 190 Coastal Carolina "Strong Safety"
2021 Phil Steele Preseason Sun Belt All-Conference 2nd Team; Athlon's Pre Season 3rd Team All Sun Belt Conf.
Started all 12 games last season; 60 Tackles ; 4 INT's for 101 return yards ..3rd in league; 8 PD's
Nice 1 - 2 punch with fellow Safety Brayden Matts

credit; Brian Foley

Brenden Schooler (Grad Transfer) 6'-2" 201 Texas "Strong Safety"
Athlon's has him as a "Starter"...but Our Lads list him 2nd team on Depth Chart
Last year Played in 9 games; started vs. Colorado … caught 12 passes for 140 yards & 2 TD's
....second-year player who is entering his additional year of eligibility and has played in nine games and made one start at WR before moving to DB in the the spring of 2021 … a graduate transfer who joined the Longhorns in the fall of 2020 … played four seasons at Oregon and had a brief stint at Arizona before coming to UT … twice earned Pac-12 All-Conference First Team honors for his contributions on special teams (2017-18).

Mike Palmer (Grad Student) 6'-1" 195 Boston College "Free Safety"
In 2020 played in seven games before suffering a season-ending leg injury ... started four games with 25 tackles; had 70 yard INT vs. Texas State(started all 11 games in '19)
Listed 2nd team in pre-season publications ; hopefully can stay healthy regain starting spot!

Landon Guidry (RS Sr.) 6'-0 195 Mississippi State "Strong Safety"
Projected Starter in Athlon's
Started one game last season; looking for a break out DB to step it up in prime time!

Corvan Taylor (Sr.) 6'-2" 205 Air Force "Free Safety"
3rd on team w 33 tackles in COVID shortened season(12 vs. Army); 2 INT's for 82 yards...23rd nationally

Henry Blackburn (Freshman?) 6'-0 200 Colorado State
Rams only played 4 games ; so gets extra year of eligibility ; 23 tackles ; 1 Pass Deflection

Ross Elder (Sr.) 6'-1" 189 Kansas State "Free Safety"
Saw action in 9 games with 7 starts last season...41 Tackles ; 1.5 TFL
Athlon's & Our Lads currently list him 2nd on Depth chart...he needs to step it up; will be under the microscope

 

[Leonardfan]

@TwentyTwo - Ethan Bonner CB Stanford is still around. I remember watching their opening game last year and he was beat for a TD and then did not see anything from him the rest of the season. I do hope he re-emerges this year.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Yep Leonardfan.... saw CB Ethan Bonner listed 2nd Team on the Depth Chart. Thanks for refreshing my memory on him getting burned for the TD. Not as much margin for error for the white DB's; under more scrutiny because of bias/ignorant perceptions

Luke Masterson (Wake Forest) & Trevor Denbow (SMU) listed in 2020 DB's thread have transitioned to the Hybrid OLB position

Ethan Bonner (rs Jr.) 6'-1" 190 Stanford ""CORNER BACK""
Hopefully he can have a break thru season!

• Played in two games with one start
• Totaled eight tackles and one tackle for loss
• Made first career start and finished with a career-high five tackles (four solo) at No. 12 Oregon (Nov. 7)
• 

Stu Head (Sr.) 6'-4" 210 App State (Transferred from Stanford) opted out of 2020 season
Will have to wait n see in August Summer Camp if he can gain a "Starting" Role
https://appstatesports.com/news/2021/4/13/football-app-state-adds-stanford-transfer-stu-head.aspx
He is NOT on App. State 2021 Roster for some reason

 

[jacque]

Too my knowledge Riley Moss is the best chance at a white corner being drafted in the past 10 years maybe longer

 

[Bucky]

We SHOULD have several DBs drafted next season!

 

[Red Raider]

Tanner Davis (SO) 6’1” 203lbs UMASS
Former walk-on earned playing time as a true freshman in 2019 before starting all 4 games in 2020. 34 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FR, and a blocked punt for a safety so far in his young career. Will be interesting to see how he does with a full season! Here’s a cool picture from his blocked punt.


Nate Bauer (SO) 6’0” 197lbs Toledo
2021 Preseason All-MAC. 2020 2nd Team All-MAC. 65 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 INT in his career. Plenty more football left for him in college.


Jordan Hansen (FR) 6’1” 198lbs Northern Illinois
Started 4 of 5 games in 2020 as a true freshman.
23 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and 2 INT.


Brayden Matts (SR) 6’1” 190lbs Coastal Carolina
Teams up with Alex Spillum who was mentioned above to form a rare white safety duo. In 20 career starts he has 92 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INT, 4 PD, 3 FF, and 2 FR. Has a knack for turnovers!


Jordan Helm (SR) 6’2” 191lbs Florida Atlantic
Became a starter in 2020, back for extra year. 76 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT, and 1 FR in his career.


Grayson Cash (JR) 6’0” 200lbs UAB
Missed 4 games in 2020, looking to become a full time starter in 2021. Career totals of 62 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 INT, 4 PD, and 2 FF.


Gage Kreski (SR) 6’1” 205lbs Central Michigan
63 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 3 INT, 2 PD, and 1 FF over 3 years. Also looking to become a full time starter.


Bryson Powers (SR) 6’1” 202lbs Tulsa
Powers isn’t a flashy player but he’s been a contributor for Tulsa for a while. 99 tackles, 3 FF, 2 FR.


Updates on a few players:
Jack Fagot (Louisville) now listed at LB even though he’s 195 lbs??
Harrison Taylor (Western Michigan) now listed at LB as well at only 205 lbs?? Started every game at free safety in 2020.
Nate Ritchie (Utah) fantastic true freshman season in 2020 and is now taking a 2 year mission trip (I hate when they do this honestly)

 

[TwentyTwo]

Thanks for the additions Red Raider! Will have to follow MAC more closely!A shame they were put on the back burner getting such a LATE START due to Covid guidelines(poor Big 10 leadership) on the back end of the season! Like Bauer's potential @ Toledo!

And ...THANKS for the reminder! Utah's Nate Ritchie Stood-Out! as a Freshman last season! He has the makings of a future NFL talent!
I saw that looking at depth chart....Former walk-on Jack Fagot who started a few games at Safety ...now a LBer! What a JOKE!

Nate Ritchie (Soph.) 6'-2" 200 Utah (currently on a two year mission)
A skilled playmaker Coach compared him to Chase Hansen!
2020: Started all five games at strong safety.
....Led the secondary with 28 total tackles (4.0 TFL, 1.0 sack), adding one fumble recovery and a pass breakup.

• Career-high seven tackles against Washington.
• Six tackles (1.0 TFL, 1.0 sack) against No. 21 Colorado, also recovering a fumble in the game … five tackles (1.0 TFL against Oregon State and USC.
• Five tackles (1.0 TFL) and a pass breakup against Washington State.
• https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020...gham-lds-mission-chase-hansen-pac-12-pandemic
• 

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Iowa cornerback Riley Moss has been named to the Senior Bowl watch list (one of three Iowa players, all on defense). while it doesn’t mean much at this stage of the season, at least he’s on the radar ...

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

i will be attending the Rice @ Arkansas game this Saturday, so i will report back on the play of cornerbacks Andrew Bird of Rice and Hudson Clark of Arkansas (if they see the field, that is).

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

sadly, a scheduling conflict has arisen, and i won’t be able to attend this game. hopefully, someone else on the board can either attend or watch the game on its subscription channel (which i refuse to pay for) and give us a report on these two caste-breakers.

 

[Leonardfan]

Iowa defensive back Riley Moss was named the Walter Camp defensive player of the week.
Well deserved as Riley Moss (6'1"/194) had two pick sixes in Iowa's win against Indiana.

His first pick bounced off the hands of WR D.J. Matthews Jr. and into the chest of Moss for the 30-yard score. On the second, he read the play immediately and jumped in front of the pass for 55-yards.

Iowa will travel to play in-state rivals Iowa State this Saturday.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

here are a couple of very complimentary articles after Moss’ big day:

https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/s...ball-win-against-indiana-hoosiers/5720488001/

an excerpt:

Moss was still trying to fathom what he’d just accomplished after becoming the first Hawkeye defensive back to return two interceptions for touchdowns in the same game since Josh Jackson did so at Wisconsin in 2017. Moss idolized Jackson during his all-American season, he said.

And now he had mimicked him.

https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/s...nterception-touchdowns-pix-six-iu/5733819001/

Riley Moss had his fingerprints all over Iowa football’s first half vs. Indiana. Literally.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

earlier in the season, all the usual suspects had been talking about Purdue’s David Bell (a legitimately talented wideout) matching up with Iowa’s Riley Moss and mocking the Hawkeye player’s chances of covering Bell.

well, they were correct about Bell’s blowing up. Bell shattered records with his performance against Iowa on Saturday, but it wasn’t due to Moss’s “stiff hips, lack of athleticism,” etc., because Moss wasn’t even on the field. the “experts” got what they wanted, and it turns out (again!) that they were wrong. Bell destroyed Hankins (11 catches, 240 yards, and 1 touchdown).

seriously, Bell is good. but how much worse do “they” think Moss would’ve done?

 

[Leonardfan]

Miami (OH)'s DB tandem of Sterling Weatherford and Matthew Salopek have been flying under the radar. Weatherford had the game sealing INT in yesterday's game vs Ball State (along with 5 tackles and a sack) and DB Matt Salopek has been a tackling machines - he had 17 tackles yesterday.

For the season Salopek has 72 total tackles and 3 PD as a Freshman. Weatherford has 44 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs and 3 PDs so far. Miami OH is certainly a team to check out when they start playing weeknight MACtion games.

 

[Bucky]

Miami (OH)'s DB tandem of Sterling Weatherford and Matthew Salopek have been flying under the radar. Weatherford had the game sealing INT in yesterday's game vs Ball State (along with 5 tackles and a sack) and DB Matt Salopek has been a tackling machines - he had 17 tackles yesterday.

For the season Salopek has 72 total tackles and 3 PD as a Freshman. Weatherford has 44 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs and 3 PDs so far. Miami OH is certainly a team to check out when they start playing weeknight MACtion games.

Definitely! They are at 4-4 right now. I hope they finish strong so we can see them come Bowl Season!

 

[Leonardfan]

Definitely! They are at 4-4 right now. I hope they finish strong so we can see them come Bowl Season!

Gabbert played for them yesterday too. Not sure why they have been going between Mayer and Gabbert all year. Sorenson having a monster year at WR for them too!

 

[Bucky]

Gabbert played for them yesterday too. Not sure why they have been going between Mayer and Gabbert all year. Sorenson having a monster year at WR for them too!

Noticed that as well.. I think Gabbert has been banged up. Sorenson has had a stellar under the radar career! They also start a DL from Wisconsin in Austin Ertl, who is getting good playing time as a Sophomore.

 

[Leonardfan]

Noticed that as well.. I think Gabbert has been banged up. Sorenson has had a stellar under the radar career! They also start a DL from Wisconsin in Austin Ertl, who is getting good playing time as a Sophomore.

Ball St is also a decent team from the MAC. Carson Steele has looked good as a freshman and emerged as the lead RB

 

[Bucky]

Wisconsin Safety Collin Wilder had 7tkls, a forced fumbles, and an INT yesterday!

Backup FS John Torchio is a ballhawk in his limited playing time. He had a nice 37yd INT return. Fell a yard short of a pick 6!

 

[Leonardfan]

Texas DB Brenden Schooler had 12 solo tackles yesterday. Didn't watch the game but I am assuming the Texas swiss cheese front seven allowed for Schooler to save the day on some of those tackles.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Middle Tennessee Free Safety Reed Blankenship still Leads the NATION @ #1 Total SOLO TACKLES for all DB's with 62!
Matthew Salopek Leads the NATION for "Total Tackles" for all DB's with 94
Hopefully Iowa CB Riley Moss will be ready to roll for the end of the season!

Matthew Salopek (Soph.) 6'-1" 215 Miami OH
Solid 1 - 2 Punch @ Safety with Sterling Weatherford! (listed above)

Gage Herdman (Sr.) 6'-3" 225 William & Mary
Big Safety at the FCS level! 4 INT's so far this season for 111 Return Yards & TD(78 yards!) 45 tackles ; Fumble Recovery ; Sack & 1.5 TFL
Younger brother of former Purdue starting TE Cole
https://twitter.com/WMTribeFootball/status/1436842566134087680

 

[Red Raider]

Nice find on Herdman, he looks like a beast! I remember Salopek when he committed to Miami a couple years ago and then I kinda forgot about him, glad to see him become a starter and play great. I’m gonna guess that Salopek (6’1” 215lbs) & Weatherford (6’4” 215lbs) are the biggest safety duo in college.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Thanks Red Raider! It's very possible Weatherford & Salopek are the biggest Safety-duo in College!

Can not believe this player was not included in the DB thread starting today on the 4th ranked team in the Nation....What's wrong with me???

#17 Bryson Shaw (Soph.) 6'-0 195 Ohio State
If he is good enough to start for the Buckeyes this early in his career ...his future has a NFL trajectory

 

[Red Raider]

Thanks Red Raider! It's very possible Weatherford & Salopek are the biggest Safety-duo in College!

Can not believe this player was not included in the DB thread starting today on the 4th ranked team in the Nation....What's wrong with me???

#17 Bryson Shaw (Soph.) 6'-0 195 Ohio State
If he is good enough to start for the Buckeyes this early in his career ...his future has a NFL trajectory

Yes I’m excited to see Shaw’s progression over the next couple years. If I remember correctly one of their starting safeties had a season ending injury early in the year and Shaw has started ever since. I’ve seen a lot of their games and Shaw hasn’t been impressive yet, but it’s nice to see that they’re sticking with him instead of giving him the Daniel Sorensen treatment. He’s young and this year will be great for his development no doubt!