The 2021 crop of top area players in the secondary is a deep one -- and they are ready to take on the challenge of the pass-happy offenses around the area and state. But make no mistake, many them also pack a wallop in the run game as well.
As it’s proven to be a task every year to find out exactly who are the top returning players at their respective positions, Friday Game Night has put together a list of the top returning defensive backs/safeties in 2021.
(CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT TEAM PREVIEWS)
Some of these guys already have accepted college offers, some have offers on the table, and some are starting to blip on the radar.
Below are the top returning defensive backs/safeties across the area:
Buford — Sr. S Jake Pope -- 62 tkl, 2 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 FF, 4 PBU, 1 INT (Alabama-commit)
Buford — Sr. CB/S CJ Clinkscales -- 16 tkl, 1 TFL, 4 PBU (Boston College-commit)
Cherokee Bluff — Sr. S Sam Stribling -- 52 tkl, 1 TFL, 1 FR
Chestatee — Sr. DB Wyatt Goode -- 29 tkl, 2 FR, 1 FF, 4 PBU, 1 INT
Chestatee — Sr. DB Drew Knickle -- 66 tkl, 5 TFL, 2 INT
East Jackson — Sr. FS/SS Luke Lindsey -- 47 tkl, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 2 FF, 1 INT
Gainesville — Sr. CB Chamarion Bush -- 44 tackles, 1 QBP, 6 PBU, 1 Int
Habersham Central — Sr. S Caleb Wade -- 62 tkl, 7 TFL, 1 sack, 1 QB hurry, 1 FR
Lakeview Academy — Sr. CB Sam Perrott -- 32 tkl, 4 TFL, 14 PBU, 4 INT, 1 FR, 1 BLK Kick
Rabun County — Sr. S Corey Keller -- 114 tkl, 6.5 TFL, 8 PBU, 3 INT, 1 FF
Rabun County — Sr. CB Hunter Moore -- 46 tkl, 2 TFL, 9 PBU, 4 INT
Towns County -- Sr. SS Collin Crowder -- 46 tkl, 4 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR, 6 PBU, 2 INT
West Hall — Sr. CB Jaden White -- 72 tkl, 7 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 FR, 1 FF, 6 PBU, 1 INT
West Hall — Jr. FS Noah Legault -- 66 tkl, 1 TFL, 9 PBU, 1 INT
White County — Jr. DB Darius Cannon -- 24 tkl, 3 TFL, 1 FF, 5 INT
White County — Sr. DB Bryson Cronic (only 6 games) -- 32 tkl, 1 FR, 6 INT
(Guide: tkl--tackles, TFL--tackles for loss, FR-- fumbles recovered, FF--forced fumbles, PBU--pass breakups, INT--interceptions)
