Preseason all-Bay Area News Group high school football 2023: Defensive backs

PRESEASON ALL-BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

DEFENSIVE BACKS

(Listed in alphabetical order)

Sefanaia Alatini, St. Francis,  6-2, 185, sophomore

Hasn’t compiled the numbers many players on this list have, but has all the measurables: size, speed, tough to tackle. Lancers coach Greg Calcagno is working him at WR and DB. Alatini lists himself as a safety. Has offers from Power-5 schools Arizona and BYU.

Joseph Bey, Serra, 6-0, 185, senior

One of two Padre defensive players committed to San Jose State. The other is LB Jabari Mann. Three-year varsity starter was WCAL Defensive Back of the Year last season. Plays safety. Three-star recruit had seven offers including Arizona State and Pittsburgh. 

Amari Bluford, Christopher, 5-9, 150, senior

First-team all-BVAL Mt. Hamilton at cornerback in 2022. Also plays running back and returns kicks. Beginning to attract attention from colleges. Has offers from Lewis and Clark, Pacific-Oregon and Oberlin College in Ohio.

Tim Daugherty, Campolindo, 5-9, 170, senior

A star on the Campolindo golf team, the sport he’s expected to play in college. Good football player, too, and will be vital to whatever success the Cougars have this fall. Second-team all-DAL Foothill DB in 2022, had 58 tackles and two interceptions. Caught 33 passes for 567 yards and six TDs.

Marley Filson, St. Mary’s-Berkeley, 5-9, 170, senior

First-team all-TCAL Stone DB last season. Mostly plays FS. Had three interceptions for the league-champion Panthers. Will be a key target at WR as St. Mary’s breaks in a new QB. Long-snapper on special teams.

Johnathan Guerrero, De La Salle, 5-11, 165, senior

One of three DLS DBs with college offers. Guerrero earned all-EBAL Mountain first-team honors in 2022. Picked off six passes, twice more than any other Spartan. Doubles as WR. NorCal Preps 2-star recruit. Has offer from University of San Diego.

Jadyn Hudson, Pittsburg, 6-2, 175, junior

Four-star recruit. Top-rated DB in Bay Area. Has over 20 offers from Power-5 schools. On3 recruiting site lists USC, Oregon, Oklahoma, Michigan as top four. Two-year starter at safety. First-team all-BVAL last season. Had 71 tackles. Plays WR on offense. 

Kamani Jackson, El Cerrito, 6-0, 180, senior

Expected to announce college commitment in September. San Diego State, San Jose State and Washington State appear to be the frontrunners. Three-star recruit with seven offers. All-TCAL Rock DB last season. Talented WR as well.

Jaden Jefferson, De La Salle, 5-8, 150, sophomore

Youngest of the stud DBs in the Spartan secondary. Appeared in all 14 games DLS played last season. Made 40 tackles and earned 2nd-team all-EBAL Mountain honors at DB. Only freshman on the team. Has offers from Oregon State, San Jose State, UNLV. Also plays WR.

Robert Mendez, James Logan, 5-9, 160, senior

Safety was a ball-hawk in the Colts’ secondary. Logan’s 2022 stats on MaxPreps are incomplete, but they showed Mendez with a team-leading four interceptions. Was first-team all-WACC Foothill DB. 

Darren Miller, South San Francisco, 6-0, 175, junior

The Warriors have big expectations this season, thanks to players such as Miller, who was the PAL Lake Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore free safety. He will play wide receiver when SSF has the ball.

Marques Polk, Washington-Fremont, 5-11, 145, senior

Picked off six passes in only five games last season. Averaged over 10 yards per return. Named first-team all-WACC/MVAL-Mission DB. Good WR as well. Caught 12 passes for 332 yards and three TDs, according to stats on MaxPreps.

Robert Santiago, De La Salle, 6-2, 170, junior

Free safety missed much of 2022 season with injury. Still had 41b tackles and three interceptions. Up to 10 offers, including Oregon, Washington, UCLA, Miami, Oklahoma. Cal showing heavy interest.  

Zach Shapiro, Burlingame, 6-3, 210, senior

First-team all-PAL Bay DB last season. Strong safety had 61 tackles, including 8.5 for minus yardage. TE on offense. Led Panthers in receiving yardage. Five Ivy League schools showing interest. Excellent student. Scored 1,530 out of possible 1,600 on SAT.