Which area team is poised to have the best secondary in 2022?
Our area featured some of the best secondaries in the state this past season. Unfortunately, graduation is hitting programs like Lakewood, Jesuit, and Venice hard. We also see some rising stars taking center stage around the area. Wharton 2023 CB Dijon Johnson has been blowing up lately. Gaither 2023 DB Eugene Wilson III isn’t far behind. Over at Lakeland, 2023 DB Dontay Joyner has been receiving his fair share of attention also. As a whole, Polk County has some serious defensive back talent. Here are some of the top secondaries in the area.
Lake Gibson
The Braves have some special talent coming back with the number one ranked 2023 defensive back in the nation, Cormani McClain. He had 6 interceptions and 29 tackles this season while also showing off some receiving skills with 447 yards and 4 touchdowns. 2024 free safety Brayshon Williams has become a star also and he has plenty of time to continue to develop his game. In addition to 40 tackles, Williams had 2 interceptions this season and he returned one for a touchdown.
Lakeland Christian
The Vikings went 11-1 this past season. Unfortunately, they ran into a talented Berkeley Prep team in the playoffs who brought their undefeated season to an abrupt end. However, Berkeley kept the ball on the ground that game as QB Troy Reader was limited to 2 completions for 29 yards. Lakeland Christian’s two gifted 2023 defensive backs, T.C. Bell and Dre Hughes, gave team problems all season and the duo has the ability to get their team back to the playoffs in 2022. Bell pulled in 5 interceptions and 61 tackles as a junior. Hughes had 3 interceptions and 40 tackles.
Lake Wales
2023 DB Jaremiah Anglin Jr. is a versatile athlete who has great size and blazing speed. He had 5 interceptions and 83 tackles in 2021. He returned 3 of those interceptions for touchdowns. He also played receiver where he had 358 yards and 3 touchdowns (900 all-purpose yards). Understandably, Anglin is quickly becoming a top DB prospect for the 2023 class. 2023 CB Amani Brown has some speed of his own. Brown also plays some receiver for the Highlanders. He has some good awareness and is a physical player who does not shy away from contact. He had 3 interceptions, 19 tackles, and 239 all-purpose yards as a junior.