With the start of the high school season quickly approaching, the Register has put together its lists of the top 10 players in the county at each position.
These lists are based on the observations of the Register’s reporters, the input of football coaches around the county and the amount of interest shown by college scouts.
Here is a look at the top defensive backs going into the season:
1. Ben Humphreys, Mater Dei, Sr.
Humphreys’ natural instincts and ability to always be in the correct position to make a play should pay dividends for the Monarchs’ secondary. He is making the transition this season from outside linebacker to free safety. Humphreys (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) pulled off a somewhat surprising decision when he committed to Duke in July.
2. Maurice Davison, Servite, Sr.
Davison, a 5-foot-9, 173-pound corner, was an All-County and All-Trinity League first-team performer as a junior when he picked off seven passes. Davison, who piled up 144 return yards on those interceptions, should earn similar accolades this season as he leads a loaded Friars secondary. ESPN, Rivals and Scout list Davison as a three-star prospect. He has offers from several schools, including Eastern Washington and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
3. Ethan Aguayo, JSerra, Sr.
In the ultra-competitive Trinity League, Aguayo was named first-team All-League for his performance as a corner in 2013, when he made 36 tackles and intercepted four passes. He also plays receiver. Aguayo checks in at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds and is expected to make some plays as a kickoff returner, too.
4. Quinten Pounds, Cypress, Sr.
A three-sport athlete, Pounds was an All-County competitor in football and track, and also played basketball for the Centurions. His size (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) and speed at the corner position helped him record seven interceptions as a junior. Pounds, who is also dangerous in the return game and at receiver, has Pac-12 offers from Washington, Washington State, Utah and Colorado.
5. Austen Christian, Garden Grove Sr.
When it came to pass thefts, there was nobody in the county last season more adept than Christian, who hauled in 11 interceptions. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound senior corner will have an impact through the air on both sides of the ball as he doubles as a corner and receiver. He caught 10 touchdown passes as a junior.
6. Jaylinn Hawkins, Buena Park, Sr.
Hawkins will probably play receiver in college, but he was second-team All-County as a defensive back last season. The ball skills he shows at receiver come in handy when he’s playing in the defensive backfield, where he strengthens the back end of the Coyotes’ defense at strong safety. Hawkins (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) is set to take an official visit to Oregon on Aug. 30.
7. Micah Croom, Servite, Jr.
Croom transferred to the Friars after spending last season at Long Beach Poly. The safety will come in and help solidify Servite’s secondary. Croom (6-foot-1, 188 pounds) has received an offer from Utah, and the talented junior was named to Cal-Hi Sports’ All-Sophomore first team last season.
8. Ben Sukut, Capistrano Valley Christian, Jr.
Eagles coach Eric Preszler says Sukut’s football IQ is the first thing that stands out when watching the junior play. Sukut (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) is stout and can fill gaps against the run, and he also has the range to make plays against the pass. The free safety is also one of Capistrano Valley Christian’s team captains.
9. Rick Ellison, Santa Margarita, Sr.
Ellison (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) is an aggressive player at strong safety, and it shows with the way he comes downhill and provides support against the run, and the way he breaks on passes thrown his way. He finished last season with 56 tackles, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
10. Schuyler Whitehead, Los Alamitos, Jr.
Whitehead has the size at 6-2, 193 pounds to be an imposing presence for the Griffins’ defense. The Los Alamitos coaching staff says Whitehead has the potential to be one of the best defensive backs the school has had in quite some time. He’ll split his time between safety and running back duties.
Others to watch (in alphabetical order): Nico Ament, Servite Sr.; Barrett Barbato, Corona del Mar, Sr.; Riley Brand, Orange Lutheran, Sr.; Jesse Carrasco, Century, Sr.; Adrian Contreras, Mater Dei, Sr.; Jake Favreau, Edison, Sr.; Adam Gordon, Capistrano Valley, Sr.; Trace Hobbs, Canyon, Jr.; Aaron Matthews, JSerra, Sr.; Jake Russell, San Clemente, Sr.; George Wilson, Tustin, Sr.
RELATED:
OCVarsity rankings: Top quarterbacks
OCVarsity rankings: Top running backs
OCVarsity rankings: Top receivers/tight ends
OCVarsity rankings: Top offensive linemen
OCVarsity rankings: Top defensive linemen
OCVarsity rankings: Top kickers and punters
Contact the writer: amorales@ocregister.com
