Today we’re going to look at the top rated DBs in the 2007 issue of “The Forrest Davis Football Recruiting Annual”. We’ll look at the players that were chosen first, second and third team All-South. There were a total of twelve players on the first three teams, and we’ll try and hit each one briefly. As with the rest of the positions we’ve covered, these were considered the elite DB recruits in 2007, the best of the best.

At First Team All-South, the top four defensive backs were; Eric Berry, from Fairburn, Georgia, Michael McNeil, from Mobile, Alabama, Major Wright, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Mark Barnes, from Columbia, South Carolina.

At Second Team All-South, the four defensive backs were; Gary Gray, from Columbia, South Carolina, Stefoin Francois, Reserve, Louisiana, Marcus Gilchrist, from High Point, North Carolina, and Phelon Jones, from Mobile, Alabama.

At Third Team All-South, the four defensive backs were; Ryan Williams, from Mobile, Alabama, DeMarcus Van Dyke, from Miami, Florida, Harrison Smith, from Knoxville, Tennessee, and Ahmad Black, from Lakeland, Florida.

I’m sure everyone knows the name Eric Berry. he was an All-American at Tennessee, and now plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. Mike McNeil will be a senior safety for the Auburn Tigers in 2011, and has been a key player in the Auburn secondary. Major Wright now uses his talents at the next level, signing with the Chicago Bears in 2010. He was a good DB for Florida, with seven interceptions over his past two seasons. Mark Barnes was rated the #2 safety in the country in 2007. He signed with South Carolina, but was one and done with the Gamecocks. After not getting enough playing time with the ‘Cocks, he dropped out and decided to transfer to Florida A&M. He had a change of heart, and tried to return to South Carolina, and the football team, unsuccessfully. All in all, except for Barnes arrogance, the top class did very well.

Gary Gray signed with Notre Dame, where he went on to have a successful career. Stefoin Francois was moved to Inside Linebacker for the LSU Tigers, and has been an integral part of one of the best defenses in the SEC. Marcus Gilchrist signed with Clemson, and has been a star on defense, and as a kick returner. He was a senior in 2010. Phelon Jones signed with LSU in 2007, redshirted in 2007 and played one season with the Tigers before deciding to transfer to Alabama. He sat out the 2009 season, and played in only nine games with the Tide in 2010. Other than Jones, the second team also has performed well.

Ryan Williams signed with Auburn in 2007 but played little in 2007, and stayed in Tommy Tuberville’s doghouse in 2008. After the 2008 season, he transferred to Louisiana Tech. DeMarcus Van Dyke was a star for the Miami Hurricanes, both as a DB and also as a wide receiver in his senior season. Harrison Smith played bot DB and linebacker at Notre Dame. He was a very versatile player for the Irish and had a stellar career. Ahmad Black was a successful DB for the Florida Gators, earning second team All-American honors as a senior.

All in all, the picks at DB in 2007 were pretty accurate.