Listed below are defensive backs who are ranked at the top of the Texas 2023 players. The players below have made huge impacts for their teams and stood out on film. Each are capable of changing the momentum of a game with major plays and all have shown that they are more than just defensive backs, but true athletes on the field showing much versatility.
These are names that you will hear often during the upcoming season and some that you should get familiar with. Every single one of these athletes has the potential to play at the next level and contribute early. These players are just an example of the extraordinary talent the state of Texas produces and we have plenty more coming in the near future!
Javien Toviano | 6’0″ 185 | Martin
2020/21 Season Stats: 41 Tackles | 11 Pass Break Ups | 2 Forced Fumbles
On film, Toviano shows why he is highly recruited. He is physical, has great hips, and has an excellent jump on the ball. Toviano has great size at the corner position and has an excellent feel for the game. He displays great awareness and is an overall athlete on the field, which he shows when he is taking handoffs and kick returns for touchdowns. Toviano was named Defensive Newcomer of the Year of this district and the ceiling is extremely high for him.
Jamel Johnson | 6’1″ 175 | Seguin
Johnson is a baller who you can line up anywhere on the field and he will make a play. He shows much versatility, displaying the ability to line up as the outside corner, slot corner, safety, and even receiver! Johnson is a longer defender who does an excellent job of reading and reacting. He shows great hands-on both offense and defense and plays with much physicality. If you are not familiar with his name by now, it is time to do so because you will be seeing and hearing it throughout the upcoming season.
Jacoby Davis | 5’11” 170 | North Shore
Davis is a ball hawk at the corner position. He seems to be in the right place at the right time, all of the time. Davis excels in man coverage and does an excellent job of staying with opposing receivers. He gets rough with them in press coverage and shows the speed to shadow their every move. Davis also happens to be an exception open-field tackler. He shows no fear running to the line and making plays in the backfield. Davis shows much skill at the position and has a very promising future.
Brenden Jordan | 6’0″ 185 | Mansfield
2020/21 Season Stats: 55 tackles | 3 pass breakups | 3 forced fumbles
Jordan is the definition of a thumper. When he hits you, he leaves a mark. Jordan plays the safety position how it’s supposed to be played, fast and physical. Jordan is decisive on his reads and does not make false steps. He is fast coming downhill and is a secure tackler. Jordan covers much ground in coverage and shows very good ball skills. Jordan is a tremendous talent who we will soon see gain much more attention with his play on the field.
Braxton Myers | 6’1″ 185 | Coppell
Myers is an another excellent man corner who uses his length to his advantage. He is a long corner who uses his hands well and shows incredible recovery skills. Myers is a physical corner who jams up receivers at the line and can throw off their entire route. Myers is a disruptive corner who has great vision and plays the ball tremendously in the air. Keep an eye on him and see how he locks down his side of the field this upcoming season.
Peyton Bowen | 6’1″ 185 | Guyer
The Guyer Wildcats have a special player in Bowen. He is an absolute dawg on the field and a true playmaker. At the safety position, he shows scary speed, acceleration, and physicality. He just makes plays for his team! Bowen shows great hips and change of direction, especially when the ball is in the air. His speed, once again, really stands out. Bowen covers so much ground in so little time and shows it off when running downhill to make a play in the backfield. Big things are to come for this skilled player.
Daniel Demery | 5’11” 195 | Parish Episcopal School
2020/21 Season Stats: 62 Tackles | 5 Pass Break Ups
Demery played a key part in his team’s success this past season. Demery saw snaps in all phases of the game and contributed in every way. At his safety position, Demery is a hard-hitting sure tackler. He displays an excellent burst and shows no false steps. He plays the pass extremely well, reading the opposing quarterbacks and making excellent breaks on passes. Demery provides tremendous support in the run game and is the best option as your last line of defense due to the field that he can cover with his speed.
Ryan Yaites | 6’1″ 180 | Guyer
Yaites is a long, rangy corner for the Wildcat defense who excels in zone coverage. With his eyes on the quarterback, Yaites reads and reacts to the ball with great quickness. He jams up receivers and gets his head back around to diagnose what is happening. Yaites plays one on one situations with much confidence and does not get beat often. When locked into man coverage, he is just as good as he is in the end-zone. Yaites shows great ball skills and awareness. He is an excellent talent who will only continue to get better, which is a scary thought for his opponents.
Honorable Mentioned:
Caimon Mathis | 5’10” 150 | DeSoto
Deldrick Madison | 5’11” 175 | Duncanville
Lamodrick Spencer | 6’1″ 160 | South Oak Cliff
Xavier Le Jeune | 6’0″ 160 | Skyline
