2013 OC Football Watch List -- Defensive Backs

Jalen Watts-Jackson – Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

One of the best pure cover corners in the state of Michigan, Watts-Jackson is as good as it gets when it comes to shutting down receivers and can step up and make a big play at any time in the secondary.

Tyson Smith – Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

One of the more underrated defensive backs in the area, Smith has been extremely consistent when it comes to matching up with receivers and making big plays and hits from the secondary.

Jason Alessi – Birmingham Brother Rice

A true ball-hawk, Alessi has proven to be one of the best at tracking down balls in the secondary and uses his return skills to show he can take it back for six points at any turn.

Chris Carter – Birmingham Brother Rice

Pairs with Alessi to make arguably the best safety tandem in Oakland County, Carter is capable of making big plays in run support, but has also proven to be rock solid when it comes to defending the pass.

Tim Cason – Clarkston

One of the premier shutdown corners in the state, Cason makes quarterbacks think twice when it comes to throwing in his direction with his ability to pick off almost any pass at any time in the secondary.

Caine Watlington – Clarkston

Gives opposing offenses all sorts of fits when it comes to trying to pass against the Wolves as he is as good of a No. 2 cornerback you will find in the area and has proven to be a very good tackler in the open field.

Johnny Kelly – Oak Park

A rising star on both sides of the ball, Kelly has quickly emerged as one of the state’s best cornerbacks after a breakout season as a sophomore and should continue to be one of the best cover corners this fall.

Carterris Carter -- Southfield
One of the most verstaile players in the area on either side of the ball, Carter will see time all over the field defensively thanks to his athleticism and ability to rush the quarterback and stop the run at linebacker or play in coverage at safety

Ray Buford – Southfield

Another high rising incoming junior, Buford is as good of an athlete as you will find in the secondary and has become one of the best at finding the ball anytime it’s thrown in his general direction.

Curtis Brunson – Farmington

One of the best pure playmakers you will find from the safety position, Brunson has proven to be a ball-hawk on deep passers, but is also a big time hitter who makes receivers pay when they go over the middle.

Josh Craven – Farmington                            

One of the most versatile players you will find, capable of playing a number of different positions on both sides of the ball and defensively will be one of the best back seven players in the area against the run and pass.

Sean Scullen – Stoney Creek

Another very versatile game changer in the secondary, Scullen has the coverage skills to play corner, and is also good when it comes to stepping up against the run and playing from sideline to sideline.

Joe Cox – Stoney Creek

A devastating hitter out of the secondary, Cox can make big plays on receivers going over the middle and can stop the run as well if a back makes it to the next level.

Matt Almany – Bloomfield Hills

Another well rounded safety Oakland County has to offer, Almany can make big time plays against the pass and can also come up with big hits at almost any time in any game.

Dylan Kanaan – Birmingham Seaholm

Yet another punishing hitter from the safety position, Kanaan is one of the premier hitters in the area and is also a well-rounded player against the run and the pass as well

Aaron Ware – Birmingham Seaholm

A good, shutdown corner to pair with Kanaan, Ware is capable of shutting down receivers in almost game and is more than capable of stepping up to help against the run as well.

Kevin O’Malley – Walled Lake Central

One of the unquestioned leaders of the Central defense, O’Malley has proven to be very good at limiting opposing receivers and is one of the best when it comes to making tackles in the open field.

K.C. Caldwell – Waterford Mott

Will be a key two-way player for the Corsairs in 2013 with his ability to make big time catches on offense and that carries over into his ability to intercept almost any ball thrown his way on defense.