Top-Ranked 2023 Athletes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of 2023 rankings has been updated, and there has been some movement among the position groups, a powerful testament to the hard work and dedication these athletes apply to their craft.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The athlete classification is typically reserved for a skills player who is equally dominant in two or more positions. It is not uncommon for the players listed as athletes to start in multiple positions on both sides of the ball and on special teams.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article will look at the top-ranked defensive backs from the incoming senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62defa503a4a3","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["22790"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eHolding onto the top-ranked athlete spot is Smedly, a fluid player who can line up at every level on the defense and easily fill each position in the secondary. His ability to fly to the football on defense and use his physicality to initiate contact is nothing less than elite. Offensively, he can line up as a number one receiver and stretch the field. The 6-foot-2 Smedly holds offers from Northern Colorado, Sioux Falls, Fort Lewis, and South Dakota Mines.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["150482"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eEvans III is an absolute stud who has secured the second-ranked spot and will be a nightmare for the Mountain West. The 6-foot-1, 180lbs Colorado State commit is a physical player with breakaway speed and raw playmaking abilities. Evans III is a monstrous receiver and dominant free safety who initiates contact with the type of strength and power that only comes from want-to and the weight room.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["22773"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eComing in at third is Rice, another outstanding player who plays as a safety on defense and wide receiver on offense. At 6-foot-3 and 195lbs, Rice can move fluidly while imposing his dominating talent over his opponents. Rice has finally started to see his recruiting pickup, earning offers from Black Hills State, Chadron State, Drake, Minot, and Hastings College.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["22762"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eSnagging the fourth spot is Gerlach II, a highly talented player who is no stranger to finding himself immersed in the prospect spotlight. At 6-foot-3 and 205lbs, Gerlach II is a prime candidate for programs on the hunt for a big-body receiver, safety, outside linebacker, or receiving tight end. There is no limit to his capabilities, making Gerlach II an ideal prospect who is on the verge of becoming a breakout recruit. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["22754"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eClosing out the top five-ranked athletes is Curby, a player who can fill multiple positions on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he can line up as a tailback, slot receiver, or number one receiver, which is a testament to his athleticism and versatility. On the defensive side of the ball, he possesses the ability to play at and position in the secondary. Curby is the type of athlete that coaches find ways to get on the field and get the ball in his hands.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Top Ten Athletes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id=’149300’ first=’Dre’Monti’ last=’Jackson’]</strong> | Far Northeast</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id=’150208’ first=’Jordan’ last=’Niesent’]</strong> | Poudre</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id=’247236’ first=’Brayden’ last=’Munroe’]</strong> | Chaparral</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id=’150479’ first=’Marcellus’ last=’Honeycutt Jr’]</strong> | George Washington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id=’335500’ first=’Lyam’ last=’Edwards’]</strong> | Ponderosa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->