Last line of defense: Here are 35 defensive backs to watch in District 10 this season
Cornerback, nickelback, safety, hero back ― defensive backs play under a number of position titles based on the defensive scheme their football team uses.
All of them have the same skill set to varying degrees, high among them speed and the ability to break up passes and make interceptions. Yet the very best might have the fewest statistics to show for their skills ― opponents just know better than to throw or run their way.
Preseason prep: Everything you need to know for the 2023 District 10 football season
D-backs can save touchdowns by running down receivers and running backs trying to break free. They could turn momentum with a big interception or sack in a key situation. And they're counted on to clean up plays if a ball carrier gets through the defensive line and linebackers.
Here is a look at 35 defensive backs to keep an eye on in District 10 this season while they're keeping their eyes on the ball:
Caullin Summers, Sharpsville
Senior, 6 feet, 165 pounds
Summers was voted to the all-region team as a linebacker last year, but he is moving to free safety for the Blue Devils this fall. Summers had 53 tackles last year to go with five interceptions and five pass defenses. He is a leader on both sides of the ball for the Blue Devils.
Simeir Wade, Farrell
Senior, 5-11, 195
Wade had to do it all for Kennedy Catholic last fall. He never left the field in any phase of the game and finished with 55 tackles for the Golden Eagles. He also had one interception as a standout on the Farrell defense.
Gavin Lutz, Grove City
Senior, 6-0, 165
Lutz has the speed to cover a lot of ground for the Eagles. He recorded 39 tackles as a junior to go with one interception and seven pass defenses. As a coach's son, Lutz has an understanding of what offenses are doing each play and has a keen eye on knocking down passes as well.
Brandon Chambers, Farrell
Senior, 6-1, 194
Chambers is another standout on the Farrell defense as he pulled down two interceptions last fall as a junior. He also knocked down 11 passes, forced one fumble and recovered three fumbles as he managed to stand out on a defense loaded with talent.
Julius Phillips, Farrell
Junior, 6-0, 180
Phillips put together a breakout sophomore season as he led the Steelers with four interceptions. He also forced two fumbles and knocked down two passes as well. Phillips had 13 tackles and could be a big part of Farrell's defense, once again, this fall.
Nic Williams, Meadville
Senior, 6-1, 175
Williams is a big-time playmaker for the Bulldogs in all aspects of the game. On defense, Williams was a ballhawk with 53 tackles, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries as a junior. With several athletes gone to graduation, Williams will be counted on as a senior leader.
Nathan Greer, Grove City
Junior, 6-1, 165
Greer had a breakout sophomore season, but it was for more than just his impressive receiving numbers. Greer was fourth on the team with 82 tackles and led the Eagles with three interceptions. Greer also forced two fumbles and recovered one as a solid two-way player for Grove City.
Landon Lacey, Butler
Senior, 6-0, 170
Lacey is a solid safety for the Golden Tornado. He was third on the team last fall with 40 tackles, while he also had one sack and led the team with four interceptions. Lacey has the closing speed to affect the opposing passing game every week.
Cole Buckley, Franklin
Senior, 6-1, 170
Buckley is another speedy two-way player that can lock down receivers each week. He is a difference-maker on offense and a leader on defense. Buckley is part of a solid senior class looking to win some games this fall.
Nolan Seabury, Seneca
Senior, 6-1, 185 FS
Seabury led the Bobcats' offense at quarterback last year but also contributed on defense. The free safety had 34 tackles to go with three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two pass defenses. With big graduation losses, Seabury could be counted on again as a leader on both sides of the ball.
Danick Hinkson, Lakeview
Senior, 6-1, 170
Hinkson is always one of the fastest players on the field when he steps on the field for either offense or defense. He is a track star that has explosive speed in football for the Sailors. He had three interceptions last fall and is a definite difference-maker for Lakeview on both sides of the ball.
RJ Roberts, Cathedral Prep
Senior, 5-10, 176
Roberts put together a breakout junior season to be voted to the all-region team. On a defense full of athletes, Roberts collected 58 tackles, which ranked fourth on the team, to go with three sacks and four interceptions. He also forced a fumble and returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown to complete his impressive season.
Ja'son Ellman, Mercyhurst Prep
Senior, 5-8, 140
Ellman was voted to the all-region first team after an impressive junior season. He recorded 46 tackles and recovered one fumble. Most quarterbacks were afraid to throw his way, and when they did, Ellman made them pay for it.
James Zigler, McDowell
Junior, 5-11, 160
Zigler is one of the few returning players on McDowell's defense with experience. He recorded 22 tackles last fall as a sophomore and pulled down an interception. Zigler could be counted on as a leader for the Trojans.
Lamont Austin, Sharon
Senior, 5-9, 160
Austin is another athlete for the Tigers who can make a difference on both sides of the ball. He had 37 tackles as a junior to go with two interceptions, two pass defenses and one forced fumble. Austin will be counted on as a senior leader for the Tigers this fall.
Kolton Sutter, Northwestern
Senior, 5-8, 140
Opposing offenses never learned when playing against the Wildcats. Sutter not only had 25 tackles, but he had seven interceptions as well. With a new coach in place, Sutter will be counted on as a leader on both sides of the ball for Northwestern.
Adrien Tate, Erie
Senior, 6-1, 180
Tate has been a big part of the Royals' program throughout his career. He is a leader on offense and the last line of defense in the secondary. Erie has more athletes ready to step up this year but Tate is an all-district defensive back ready to step up as well.
Keon Somerville, Erie
Senior, 5-7, 130
If Somerville's size makes you underestimate him, he'll burn you with an interception each time. Somerville had multiple interceptions last year to lead the Erie High defense. His quickness and instincts make him a dangerous player in the secondary each game.
Dan Oblich, Cathedral Prep
Senior, 5-11, 165
Oblich quietly put together a big junior season for the Ramblers. He is the top returning tackler from last year with 71, which ranked third on the team, to go with three interceptions and six pass defenses. Oblich was voted to the all-region team after being a big-time defender for Prep last fall.
Dominic Stearns, Fort LeBoeuf
Senior, 5-11, 165
Stearns is a solid last line of defense for the Bison as he is a senior leader on defense. He can play up near the line of scrimmage to stop the run and has the speed to stay back and help take away the pass as well.
Will Allen, Corry
Junior, 5-11, 140
Allen had a solid sophomore year to be voted to the all-region second team. He is a leader of the Corry defense and can be a game-changer with his ability to track the ball in the air and on the ground.
Damian Blose, Fort LeBoeuf
Junior, 5-11, 160
Blose is another strong defender for the Bison as he had 37 tackles as a sophomore. Blose also had two sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and four pass defenses as opposing quarterbacks struggled to get the ball by him.
Conner McChesney, Fort LeBoeuf
Senior, 5-10, 180
McChensey is a strong run stopper from the secondary as he recorded 41 tackles as a junior, which was fourth on the team. He also recovered five fumbles, forced one fumble and knocked down seven passes throughout the season.
Ethen Knox, Oil City
Senior, 6-1, 190
Knox is already an impressive weapon on offense for the Oilers, but as a free safety, he can cover a lot of ground on defense. He was voted to the all-region first team as a junior after collecting 63 tackles, one sack and pulling down six interceptions.
Tommy Nyquist, Warren
Senior, 5-9, 165
Nyquist is a standout at running back for the Dragons and also a force on defense as a cornerback. He led the Dragons with two interceptions last year and had three pass defenses. Nyquist never leaves the field and is a solid leader for the Dragons.
Ryan Reichel, Meadville
Senior, 6-1, 170
Reichel was voted to the all-region second team as a defensive back last fall. He was third on the team with 64 tackles and he pulled down one interception and recovered three fumbles for the Bulldogs. With Meadville losing a lot to graduation, Reichel could be a key player to their success.
Kalvin McCullough, Sharpsville
Sophomore, 5-11, 152
McCullough wasted no time making a name for himself on the varsity level. As a freshman, McCullough recorded 28 tackles and tied Caullin Summers for the lead on the team with five interceptions. He also knocked down 12 passes and returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown.
Timmy Krivosh, Hickory
Senior, 5-8, 160
Krivosh patrols a lot of field for the Hornets as a free safety. He led Hickory with 79 tackles last fall to be voted to the all-region first team. He also intercepted two passes, knocked down three passes and forced one fumble.
Daemyin Mattocks, Mercer
Senior, 5-10, 150
Mattocks was voted to the all-region second team after a solid season as a cornerback. Mattocks is a playmaker on both sides of the ball for the Mustangs and can help slow down offenses with his speed.
Sam Schwartz, Slippery Rock
Senior, 5-10, 170
Schwartz was voted to the all-region second team last year after recording 28 tackles and intercepting two passes. He also had one forced fumble as the Rockets had a solid defense. Schwartz is another senior leader for Slippery Rock this fall.
JJ Ganska, Mercyhurst Prep
Senior, 5-11, 165
Ganska is another athlete for the Lakers who flies all over the field. He had 71 tackles last fall to be voted to the all-region second team. He also had one sack to go with two interceptions, nine pass defenses and one fumble recovery.
Shawn Pascuzzi, Eisenhower
Senior, 6-0, 150
Pascuzzi is a leader on offense as a quarterback and is an all-region player on defense for the Knights. He had 32 tackles to go with five interceptions and five pass defenses last year.
Steve Grayson, Mercyhurst Prep
Senior, 6-1, 180
Grayson came up with several big plays last year on defense. He was voted to the all-region second team after collecting 68 tackles, three interceptions, one forced fumble and 10 pass defenses as well.
Paul Johnson, Mercyhurst Prep
Sophomore, 5-11, 170
Johnson put together a breakout freshman season on defense to be voted to the all-region second team. He had 22 tackles to go with two interceptions and five pass defenses for the Lakers. He could play a big role on offense and defense this fall.
Jake Hower, McDowell
Junior, 6-1, 182
Hower has experience from last year, but he is ready to take the next step and have a big year on defense this fall. Hower had 30 tackles as a sophomore to go with one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for the Trojans.
Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @ETNreisenweber.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: District 10 football is loaded with talented defensive backs this fall
