Clear Sky
2023 NFL COMBINE: DEFENSIVE BACKS FROM THE SUNSHINE STATE
PUBLISHED
Fri, Mar 3, 2023 2:30 PM
We take a look at players from Florida who have been invited to the 2023 NFL Combine. We track their 40 yard times, bench, and other measurables.
February 28, 2023 - March 6, 2023
Lucas Oil Stadium -- Indianapolis, IN
MARCH 3, 2023
40 yard times, bench press reps, and other measurables will be updated as the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine progresses from Indianapolis.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Alex Austin, Oregon State
Deonte Banks, Maryland
Jordan Battle
University of Alabama Crimson Tide
St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Class of 2019
View Profile
Starred in the defensive secondary under legendary Alabama HC Nick Saban.
Won 2016 Class 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Under Roger Harriott.
Played in HS with current NFL players Elijah Moore (NY Jets), Asante Samuel Jr. (LA Chargers), Josh Palmer (LA Chargers)
Unofficial 40yd
1st:
2nd:
View Profile
Jakorian Bennett, Maryland
Mekhi Blackmon, USC
Lance Boykin, Coastal Carolina
Brian Branch, Alabama
Julius Brents, Kansas State
Myles Brooks, Louisiana Tech
Cam Brown, Ohio State
Ji'Ayir Brown, Penn State
Sydney Brown
Illinois Fighting Illini
St. Stephen's Episcopal
Bradenton, FL
Class of 2018
View Profile
Unofficial 40yd
1st: 4.49u
2nd:
View Profile
Arquon Bush, Cincinnati
Kei'Trel Clark, Louisville
Chamarri Conner
Virginia Tech Hokies
Jacksonville Trinity Christian Conquerors
Jacksonville, FL
Class of 2018
View Profile
Starred in the defensive secondary under legendary Alabama HC Nick Saban.
Won BACK-TO-BACK Class 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Under Verlon Dorminey (2015, 2016)
Unofficial 40yd
1st:
2nd:
View Profile
Trey Dean, Florida
Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
Mekhi Garner, LSU
Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
DeMarcco Hellams, Alabama
Ronnie Hickman Jr., Ohio State
Brandon Hill
Pittsburgh
Wekiva
Apopka, FL
Class of 2019
View Profile
Second-leading tackler with 67 stops and added two pass breakups and one fumble recovery
From Pitt media guide:
One of the top defensive back prospects in Central Florida…had five interceptions and 12 pass breakups as a senior safety for Wekiva…averaged an amazing 28.4 yards per interception return…also collected 29 tackles and four tackles for loss…on offense, carried 36 times for 202 yards (5.6 avg.) and six touchdowns...helped Wekiva to an 11-2 record and back-to-back district championships…the No. 6-ranked player in the Orlando Sentinel Central Florida “Super60”…rated the nation’s No. 34 safety prospect by ESPN…played under Coach Rich Bedesem.
Unofficial 40yd
1st:
2nd:
View Profile
Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU
Jordan Howden, Minnesota
Anthony Johnson, Jr.
Iowa State Cyclones
St. Peterburg
St. Peterburg, FL
Class of 2018
View Profile
From Iowa State media guide:
Chose Iowa State over South Florida … three-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN … ranked No. 116 in 247Sports’ best cornerbacks … three-year starter and all-conference pick … two-time all-state selection … named to the Tampa Times All-Tampa team in 2017 … recorded 36 tackles, four interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2017 while playing half of the season because of injury … had 46 tackles, seven interceptions and 16 pass breakups as a junior … posted 31 tackles, 10 pass breakups and a team-high six interceptions as a sophomore … coached by Joe Fabrizio.
Unofficial 40yd
1st: 4.56u
2nd:
View Profile
Anthony Johnson
Virginia Cavaliers (ACC)
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
Hollywood, FL
Class of 2017
View Profile
From Virginia Cavaliers media guide:
A 2017 graduate of Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Fla., where he played cornerback for head coach Dameon Jones … earned all-state and All-Broward County honors in 2016 … made 30 stops with 10 passes broken up and three interceptions as a junior in 2015 … named a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … ranked No. 89 on ESPN’s top 300 safeties … considered one of the best defensive backs in the Florida … also participated in track & field at Chaminade-Madonna Prep … son of Sheniqua Johnson and Anthony Johnson…pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Psychology.
Unofficial 40yd
1st:
2nd:
View Profile
Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M
Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M
Nic Jones, Ball State
Tyreque Jones, Boise State
Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame
Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford
Darrell Luter Jr., South Alabama
Jartavius Martin
Illinois Fighting Illini
Lehigh Acres
Lehigh Acres, FL
Class of 2018
View Profile
Second-leading tackler with 67 stops and added two pass breakups and one fumble recovery
From Illinois media guide:
Played for head coach James Chaney at Lehigh Acres
87 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery as senior
38 tackles and two interceptions as a junior
Unofficial 40yd
1st: 4.46u
2nd:
View Profile
Kaevon Merriweather, Iowa
Cameron Mitchell, Northwestern
Riley Moss, Iowa
Gervarrius Owens, Houston
Clark Phillips III, Utah
Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
Eli Ricks, Alabama
Kelee Ringo, Georgia
Jammie Robinson, Florida State
Darius Rush, South Carolina
Daniel Scott, Cal
JL Skinner III, Boise State
Cam Smith, South Carolina
Christopher Smith II, Georgia
Terell Smith, Minnesota
Tyrique Stevenson
University of Miami Hurricanes
Miami Southridge Spartans
Miami, FL
Class of 2019
View Profile
From Miami Hurricanes media guide:
Played for Team East in 2019 All-American Bowl Game…247sports.com four-star prospect, No. 38 prospect nationally, No. 4 cornerback nationally, No. 6 prospect in Florida…PrepStar Magazine four-star prospect, No. 59 prospect nationally and member of the Top 150 Dream Team…ESPN.com four-star prospect, No. 100 prospect nationally, No. 9 CB prospect nationally, No. 14 prospect in Florida…Rivals.com four-star prospect, No. 37 prospect nationally, No. 6 cornerback nationally, No. 6 player in Florida…two INTs in final high school game – regional semifinals of 2018 FHSAA Class 8A playoffs…Selected to play on Team Overdrive at Nike Opening 2018 Finals, where he had two INTs and two PBUs in 7-on-7 play…Selected to play in 2018 Rivals Five-Star Challenge…Transferred to Southridge after attending nearby South Dade …Named to 2017 Miami Herald All-Dade Class 8A-6A Second-Team Defense…Had 69 tackles and four INTs in 2017.
Unofficial 40yd
1st:
2nd:
View Profile
Jason Taylor II, Oklahoma State
Rashad Torrence II, Florida
Cory Trice Jr., Purdue
DJ Turner II, Michigan
Carrington Valentine, Kentucky
Jay Ward, LSU
Garrett Williams, Syracuse
Devon Witherspoon
Illinois Fighting Illini
Pensacola Pine Forest
Pensacola, FL
Class of 2019
View Profile
From Illinois media guide:
Two-year letterwinner in football
Played for head coach Jason McDonald at Pine Forest
Help Pine Forest to the 2018 District 1-6A championship and advance to the second round of the state playoffs
2018 Pensacola News Journal Defensive Player of the Year
2018 Pensacola News Journal All-Area first team
74 tackles, nine PBUs, 2.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack, and an area-high seven interceptions as a senior
Scored two touchdowns as a senior, one on a fumble return and one on an interception return
65 tackles, nine PBUs, 2.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack, and four interceptions as a junior, his first year playing football
Also played basketball and ran track in high school, helping three Pine Forest teams to district titles as a senior
Standout high jumper and part of multiple championship relay teams, including a Florida Class 3A state runner-up finish in the 4x100-meter relay
2018 Pensacola News Journal Male Athlete of the Year for overall production in all three sports
Verbally committed to Illinois in July 2019, four days before training camp
Offers included Appalachian State, Georgia State, Massachusetts, Middle Tennessee, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Troy, Temple, and UAB
Originally committed to Hutchinson Community College (Kan.)
Unofficial 40yd
1st:
2nd:
View Profile
Rejzohn Wright, Oregon State
SPECIALISTS
Anders Carlson, K, Auburn
Christopher Dunn, K, N.C. State
Jake Moody, K, Michigan
Jack Podlesny, K, Georgia
B.T. Potter, K, Clemson
Chad Ryland, K, Maryland
Alex Ward
LS, UCF Knights
Fort Walton Beach Choctaw
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Class of 2018
View Profile
Earned third-team All-America honors and first-team all-conference accolades from Phil Steele
From UCF media guide:
Was the snapper for a team that went 10-for-12 on extra points and 2-for-2 on field goals during the 2016 season
Unofficial 40yd
1st:
2nd:
View Profile
Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan State
Paxton Brooks, P, Tennessee
Adam Korsak, P, Rutgers
Brad Robbins, P, Michigan
Michael Turk, P, Oklahoma
