By Mike Lilly
Secondary depth and versatility are important in modern-day college football. Finding a lockdown corner or a hard-hitting safety isn’t by any means easy, making talent evaluation and recruiting good fits for a program important. Here are some defensive backs that need to be getting more attention as we go down the stretch on the recruiting trail:
Jovan Clark
Chicago, IL (Morgan Park)
#565 NAT, #45 ATH, #15 IL
Seen by many as a safety at the next level, Jovan Clark is an athlete who has a knack for making plays whether he’s stacked in the box or back in coverage. Clark recorded 61 tackles and 3 interceptions as a junior.
The 6′, 195-pound junior holds 20 offers including from Georgia, Missouri, Kansas, and Georgia Tech. With a handful of visits slated for the spring, including a March visit to coach Lance Leipold and Kansas, Clark’s recruitment appears to be wide open. I would give an early edge to the Jayhawks, even if it’s not by much.
Early Prediction: Kansas
https://twitter.com/__JC23/status/1761793710558204319
Omari Gaines
Newark, NJ (Malcolm X Shabazz)
#441 NAT, #36 S, #14 NJ
A defensive back who is versatile in playing corner or safety can make an impact on any team. Standing in at 6’2″, 175 pounds, Omari Gaines is that kind of player. Gaines currently holds 15 offers, including offers from West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Stanford, and Rutgers.
After recently breaking off a commitment to coach James Franklin and Penn State, Gaines’ recruitment will be interesting to watch as there is not a clear frontrunner. Gaines has plans to visit a variety of schools including West Virginia and Stanford, with no exact dates set in stone.
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Early Prediction: West Virginia
Files🗂️😤 #Technique 6’3, 185 Playmaker! c/o 25’ pic.twitter.com/4IcBxMUKHl
— OmariGaines🎸 (@omarigaines_) January 20, 2024
Josh Johnson
Ironton, OH (Ironton)
NR NAT, #52 S, #31 OH
One of the most underrated players in the 2025 class, Josh Johnson can line up at any position in the secondary. The talented defensive back stands in at 6’3″, 185 pounds, and holds 22 offers, including Iowa, Penn State, Boston College, and Missouri.
Johnson had an impressive junior season alongside teammate and Notre Dame Wide Receiver commit Shaun Terry, racking up 68 tackles and 4 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns). Fresh off a visit to coach Eli Drinkwitz and Missouri, it will be interesting to see if Johnson trims down his list of schools soon.
Early Prediction: Penn State
Shamar Arnoux
Carrolton, GA (Carrolton)
#419 NAT, #38 CB, #44 GA
The Georgia high school product standing in at 6’2″, 180 pounds, currently holds 27 offers including offers from Texas A&M, Michigan, LSU, and South Carolina. Shamar Arnoux possesses elite ball skills and isn’t afraid to get physical with wide receivers at the line of scrimmage.
Once a commit to coach Josh Heupel and Tennessee, Arnoux was recently on campus with coach Kirby Smart and Georgia. Look for this recruitment to tighten up into the spring as Arnoux had a top 8 before schools before committing to the Vols last April. This one feels too early to make a prediction, but with a seemingly mutual interest with Georgia, I think Arnoux stays close to home.
Early Prediction: Georgia
Persistence,Consistency and Preparation 🎯@dareu_I Let’s Wake Em 🆙 #monsterville 🧟♂️ pic.twitter.com/xDHI7SNpdN
— Shamar “Dudie” Arnoux (@ShamarArnoux) February 4, 2024
