Comparisons are at all times a part of recruiting protection, so throughout our two-week Subsequent Up sequence we have a look, position-by-position, at who may very well be one of many subsequent superstars in school soccer by evaluating them to a present school or NFL participant. We transfer on to defensive backs.
Javien Toviano is the subsequent Kelee Ringo
Very similar to discuss round Ringo when he was at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro and a few thought he would develop into a security in school, the identical discuss is round Toviano. He’s so easy and strikes so properly that there’s an excellent likelihood he can keep at cornerback very similar to Ringo has at Georgia.
The Arlington (Texas) Martin standout is about 15 factors lighter than Ringo however as soon as he continues to develop bodily he ought to fill out much more and be proper round Ringo’s measurables. They’re each quick, nice in one-on-one and their dimension/athletic mixture can solely be replicated in a lab.
*****
Desmond Ricks is the subsequent GaQuincy McKinstry
Ricks reclassified from the 2024 to the 2023 class not too long ago and he’s not one to again down towards any opponent, very similar to McKinstry early in his profession at Alabama. As a substitute, the Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy five-star cornerback is aggressive, will get locked up with receivers, talks so much and desires to be challenged.
McKinstry got here to the Crimson Tide and virtually instantly made a big effect within the secondary. He performs with confidence, he has athleticism and size. Ricks, who has LSU, Alabama and Florida as his prime three, might observe go well with someplace within the SEC.
*****
Caleb Downs is the subsequent Donovan Wilson
There are some safeties who virtually see what’s taking place on the sphere earlier than it occurs after which have the athletic skill to make a play on the ball. After being a three-star in highschool, Wilson performed that method at Texas A&M and he’s constructed upon that with the Dallas Cowboys as probably the greatest safeties within the recreation.
Downs, a excessive four-star who can be mentioned for five-star standing, performs the identical method. Possibly Wilson is a bit more bodily however the Alabama commit is phenomenal at leaping routes, diagnosing performs after which selecting off passes or making it actually problematic for receivers to do something.
*****
Cormani McClain is the subsequent Eli Ricks
Ricks went to LSU as probably the greatest cornerbacks popping out of the 2020 class and whereas there have been some stumbles, he confirmed flashes of greatness due to his size, his playmaking skill and belief in his personal abilities taking part in alongside Derek Stingley Jr. and others. He then transferred to Alabama and has form of gotten misplaced within the shuffle however there’s no questioning his skill.
McClain would possibly or won’t observe the identical path however his talent set may be very comparable. The five-star Miami commit from Lakeland, Fla., has lengthy arms like Ricks, he glides throughout the sphere, steps in entrance of passes and has a knack for pick-sixes. Will they observe the identical path on the collegiate stage? No technique to know. However they play the place very equally.
*****
Peyton Bowen is the subsequent Minkah Fitzpatrick
At this level, Fitzpatrick is way thicker than Bowen by about 25 kilos however in highschool, Fitzpatrick was virtually the identical dimension, performed some nook and a few security. Greater than something, each he and Bowen have an unbelievable skill to be a playmaker on the again finish.
Bowen can come up and hit similar to Fitzpatrick did at Alabama and now with the Pittsburgh Steelers. What makes him actually particular – and why Fitzpatrick was a five-star and why Bowen will get severe consideration for that rating – is playmaking skill from the secondary and simply how productive they each are.
