Palos Verdes cornerback Jalen Flowers is a

Eighth in a collection of tales profiling top high college soccer gamers by place. Today, Jalen Flowers, Palos Verdes defensive back.

Jalen Flowers made a spectacular one-handed interception in a one-on-one drill during the spring. He didn’t run off the sphere waving his arms wildly or proclaim he’s the best lock-down cornerback since Deion Sanders.

“I’m not really a talker,” he said. “I let my game show it.”

He offers Palos Verdes High a 6-foot-2, 175-pound sophomore defensive back with the uncommon talent of having the ability to stick with any and all receivers. They could make strikes, they’ll run their best patterns, but escaping Flowers doesn’t occur very often.

His instincts, lanky body and data from enjoying receiver come into play at a place in which misjudgments or a failure to respect an opponent can go away the defender getting burned for a landing.

“He’s got a knack,” coach Guy Gardner said of Flowers’ skill to cowl receivers. “We coach him the best we can, but most of the things he does we didn’t coach. The way he carries himself, covering guys, running routes, things came naturally.”

He confirmed up during the summer time of his freshman season and immediately received seen as somebody with expertise. “It was pretty obvious,” Gardner said.

A 16-week season that led to a Division 2-A state championship noticed Flowers catch 4 passes for 58 yards and one landing in the ultimate. He completed the season with 26 tackles and one interception in his first full season enjoying defensive back and was actually growing taller every month.

“We didn’t think about him being a freshman from the midpoint of the season,” Garner said.

Flowers has performed soccer since he was 6, so nothing an opponent tries to do on a soccer subject ever surprises him.

“He really enjoys playing,” Gardner said. “You can see it when he plays. And he has some God-given ability.”

There are so many defensive backs with school soccer scholarship gives this season in Southern California that you’ll get a different reply every time you ask, “Who’s best?”

Madden Riordan, a USC commit from Sierra Canyon, had 11 interceptions last season. Isala Wily-Ava of St. John Bosco had 72 tackles as a sophomore security along with seven interceptions. Aaryn Washington, a junior at Mater Dei, had 23 tackles and three interceptions during a 13-0 season. Gardena Serra has a trio of defensive backs headed to the faculty ranks in Wesley Ace, Marcellous Ryan and Duvay Williams.

There are faculties with a number of top defensive backs, including St. John Bosco, Serra, Sierra Canyon, Mater Dei and Santa Margarita. No one is good. Even the best give up a landing on event.

But listen to what Flowers accomplishes in his sophomore season. Prepare for the bandwagon impact when people notice his present for sticking close to receivers and start determining he’s no fluke.

And Flowers warns he’s not completed growing.

“I might have an inch or more in me,” he said.

Said Gardner: “He’s putting in the work ethic with that ability and keeps getting better.”

Wednesday: San Pedro kicker Dylan Moreno.

Defensive backs to watch

Davon Benjamin, Oaks Christian, 6-0, 170, Sr.: Oregon commit returned three interceptions for touchdowns last season

Havon Finney Jr., Sierra Canyon, 6-3, 170, Sr.: LSU commit is terrific cornerback

Jalen Flowers, Palos Verdes, 6-2, 175, So.: He covers receivers so close he is aware of what gum they’re chewing

Josh Holland, St. John Bosco, 6-2, 175, Sr.: USC commit with long arms and deceiving strength

Derrick Johnson, Murrieta Valley, 6-2, 170, Sr.: Oklahoma commit is tall, aggressive cornerback

Jeron Jones, Mission Viejo, 6-0, 195, Sr.: Washington commit makes big performs and big tackles

DeVohn Moutra Jr., Gardena Serra, 5-9, 190, Sr. Defensive participant of the 12 months from Mission League

Madden Riordan, Sierra Canyon, 5-11, 164, Sr.: USC commit had 11 interceptions

Aaryn Washington, Mater Dei, 6-0, 160, Jr:. Ready to make a leap in manufacturing

Isala Wiley-Ava, St. John Bosco, 6-3, 195, Jr.: Had seven interceptions as a sophomore

Donte Wright, Long Beach Poly, 6-2, 170, Jr. Georgia commit is fast, powerful and sensible