A Step Ahead: Jim Stefani's Underclassmen Football Recruiting Blog

Class of 2008: Some Elite Defensive Backs (Part III)

Victor Johnson DB/WR 6'1 174 4.55 Waco Texas

One of the best safety prospects in the nation……As a junior, he helped lead his team to the Class 4A Division II state championship game, registering 100 tackles, 5 INTs, 8 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries in earning First Team All-District honors……As a sophomore, he led Waco with 126 tackles (54 solo) and also tallied 1 INT in earning All-District honors……..Could play either safety position in college….....A hard hitter with a real nose for the ball……..Runs the sprints in track……Was already testing well at combines as a freshman: 4.77 forty, 4.47 shuttle, 31-inch vertical. As a sophomore he improved to: 4.61 forty, 4.16 shuttle, 33-inch vertical and 6 bench reps…..Baylor and Texas Tech were the first two schools to offer.


Janoris Jenkins DB/RB 5'11 167 4.69 Pahokee Florida


Jenkins is part of a very deep pool of talented DBs in the Sunshine State’s Class of 2008 and among the nation’s best…..One of the top overall prospects in Palm Beach County………As a junior, he earned First Team Class 2B All-State honors and was named First Team All-Palm Beach County as both a junior and sophomore………Led his team to the 2B state title as a junior……A two-way star at RB and CB…..As a junior, he rushed for 1,151 yards and 14 TDs…..As a sophomore, he rushed for 800 yards and 12 TDs on 104 carries and tallied 7 INTs……Projects as a CB in college due to his outstanding coverage skills. Has a great nose for the ball, is physical and has very good quickness…..…..Very impressive on the 2006 combine circuit (4.69 forty, 4.44 shuttle, 3-inch vertical, just 3 bench reps so he needs to get stronger)…..By mid-January 2007 he had early offers from Miami, Tennessee, Florida State and Clemson.


Brandon Harris DB/WR 5'11 182 4.62 Miami Booker T. Washington Florida

Another national-caliber DB out of Florida’s Class of 2008…..Harris is one of several talented Class of 2008 prospects at Booker T. Washington……….Son of Washington coach Tim "Ice" Harris………As a junior, he earned First Team Class 4A All-State and First Team All-Dade County honors from the Miami Herald after tallying 7 INTs, 2 defensive TDs, 3 sacks, and 21 solo tackles. He also had over 500 yards receiving and 7 TDs……A talented prep CB and WR who projects at CB in college….Has gotten a lot bigger since his sophomore season…….Excellent coverage skills and a real leader on the field. Has improved his tackling…….A Third Team All-Dade selection as a sophomore……Very impressive at the 2006 Miami summer camp, walking away with Defensive MVP honors after wowing onlookers with his coverage and playmaking skills…..A fine student (3.6 GPA) who ranks in the top 10% of his class and takes AP courses………By the end of 2006 he already had offers from Miami, Florida State, Rutgers, Maryland, Tennessee, and Virginia.


Daniel McCarthy DB 6'2 190 4.50 Youngstown Cardinal Mooney Ohio

Daniel is one of the nation’s top safety prospects and among the best overall prospects in Ohio (the second in his class to land an offer from Ohio State)…….A First Team Division IV All-State QB as a junior and also started at safety. Rushed for over 1,000 yards and pass3ed for over 800 yards in his first year at QB ………Recorded over 70 tackles and had 3 sacks as a sophomore safety……Being recruited by the major powers as a safety, where he is a real playmaker……One of three big-time juniors at Cardinal Mooney……Has ideal size for a safety and a real nose for the ball and making plays……A fine athlete who has started on the basketball team since his freshman year and also runs track…..280 bench, 435 squat…..Impressive at the 2006 Notre Dame and Penn State summer camps…..Fine 3.8 GPA….Older brother Kyle is a walk-on at Notre Dame…..Ohio State was the first school to offer.


Karnell Hatcher DB 6'1 180 4.79 Delray Beach Atlantic Florida

Hatcher is yet another talented national-caliber DB prospect out of Florida………As a junior, he was named Third Team Class 5A All-State and First Team All-Palm Beach County after registering 65 tackles, 1 INT, 2 fumble recoveries and a blocked field goal……As a sophomore, he also earned First Team All-Palm Beach County honors in addition to Third Team Class 5A All-State mention after tallying 65 tackles, 7 INTs and 6 fumble recoveries……A bone-crushing tackler who projects as a safety in college….As a sophomore making the combine rounds he recorded a 4.79 forty, 4.53 shuttle, 27-inch vertical and 8 bench reps……2.8 core GPA.......Plays basketball and was All-District in track as a sophomore.....One of the best safety prospects in the country.

posted by Jim Stefani @ 1:47 PM