Futures Combine: PRZ Next Defensive Back Performers

Not to be lost with all the FBU action going on in Naples, Fla. in late December, the Futures Combine saw north of 225 athletes from all over the country compete. Athletes from the classes of 2029 (5th grade) through 2025 (9th grade) competed for a host of awards, opportunities and invitations to national events. In addition to Prep Redzone Next, representatives from FBU, Under Armour and the All-American Bowl on NBC were in attendance checking out some of the brightest young stars in the country. With the exception of kickers/punters and long snappers, all the positions were on display. Athletes were put through the combine testing and one-on-one competitive drills, designed to allow athletes to show off what they can do. Without further ado, here’s a look at the defensive back's that stood out. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Big Dog</strong></span> <img class="alignleft wp-image-259700 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/RahsaanIsaacCombine-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" />Some kids look like they were simply born to play a position--and that's the case with class of 2026 prospect <strong>Rahsaan Isaac</strong>. Isaac, who also captured his third straight FBU National Championship with team GFL, had himself an incredible week in Naples. Specifically speaking about the combine, he looked much bigger than the 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds he measured in at. He was physical at the line, displayed fluid hips and he did an extremely advanced job of keeping his eyes on the receiver. Showed off good fundamentals. Smooth in his backpedal and transition. Smart as far as zone coverage. Really did a tremendous job from the opening whistle of the combine. &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Next Best</strong></span> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-259701 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/IraDaleCombine-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Ira Dale, </strong>of nearby Lehigh Acres, Fla. put on a nice little show for the "hometown" crown in Naples. Dale is a tough kid who doesn't say a word on or off the field, just lets his play do all the talking. He has pretty good height and is certainly a very tough, aggressive, well-put together prospect. Long term, I could see him developing into a few different positions. The 2026 prospect could stay as an aggressive corner; Bump back to a seek-and-destroy type of safety; Or, if he continues to grow and put on more mass, an outside linebacker. <img class="alignleft wp-image-259703 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/TylerWalkerCombine-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />All things considered, the defensive back prospect with the most upside could be class of 2027 (7th grader) <strong>Tyler Walker Jr. </strong>Walker has a high school-ready body right now and was easily the top non-eighth grader at the position. Measuring in at 5-foot-9 and 151 pounds, Walker Jr. overwhelmed the younger wide receivers with smothering coverage skills. I didn't see him give up a reception during the one-on-one drills and was straight up bullying kids trying to get off the line. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Best of the Rest</strong></span> <img class="alignleft wp-image-259708 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/adenreeder-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Ohio's <strong>Aden Reeder</strong> passed the eye test right away with his size and build. Honestly thought he was the wrong group at first, as he looks more like a linebacker than anything else at this point. He's a 2026 prospect that needs to improve flexibility and twitch, but has a good skill set to build upon. &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="alignleft wp-image-259709 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/WillieBlanksIII-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Another 2027 prospect that showed a ton of potential was Florida's <strong>Willie Banks III</strong>. His athleticism really jumped out at me after watching him move around during drills. He's a long, high-cut athlete who looks like he could be equally good at wide receiver or quarterback, in addition to what he did as a defensive back. The ceiling is high for Banks III. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft wp-image-259713 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/AaronJohnsonJr-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />The final defensive back prospect that I liked also hails from Florida--<strong>Aaron Johnson Jr. </strong>Did a great job on playing on his toes, rather than his heels and showed borderline elite quickness. Has time to develop needed strength, but like his ability to stay in a receivers hip pocket.