2025 Position Review: Defensive Backs
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We recently released the 2025 watchlist that features 125 of the top freshman in the state. To further explore this talented class we’ll take a look at a few defensive backs and break down some of their tape. Anthony Liggins…
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Continue ReadingWe recently released the 2025 watchlist that features 125 of the top freshman in the state. To further explore this talented class we’ll take a look at a few defensive backs and break down some of their tape.
Anthony Liggins Anthony Liggins DB Omaha Central | 2025 State NE | Omaha Benson
Anthony Liggins Anthony Liggins DB Omaha Central | 2025 State NE is a very exciting cornerback prospect to watch out for in the next few years. He has a quick backpedal with fluid hips and can change directions on a dime. One of my favorite parts of Liggins’ game is that he is a very physical defensive back. Anthony constantly challenges the receiver at the point of the catch and does a great job incorporating his hands to disrupt the pass. He is also a very solid tackler that plays a lot bigger than his size and even brought down bigger RBs in the backfield. Liggins mostly played lined up on the outside receiver but can do his fair share of damage from the slot as well. I’m really liking the development shown by this young man.
Titan Glassman Titan Glassman 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR Omaha Westside | 2025 State NE | Omaha North | 6’0″ 175 lbs
Titan Glassman Titan Glassman 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR Omaha Westside | 2025 State NE was a huge breakout freshman in 2021. Titan already looks like one of the top talents in the 2025 class with his top-notch play at safety and upside as a receiver. Glassman racked up 21 tackles as a freshman and seemed to be all over the place for the Burke defense. He also added 3 interceptions to display his awareness and pass coverage skills. Titan is a very “heads up” player that reads and reacts very well to the pass or run and can close space quickly. Glassman will be at Omaha North in 2022 where I’m excited to see how he continues to ball out in their scheme.
Thomas Spears Thomas Spears 5'7" | 145 lbs | ATH Ashland Greenwood | 2025 State NE | Ashland-Greenwood | 5’6″ 130 lbs
All around PLAYMAKER! Ashland-Greenwood’s Thomas Spears Thomas Spears 5'7" | 145 lbs | ATH Ashland Greenwood | 2025 State NE stepped up in a huge way for the Bluejays on both offense and defense. In only his freshman season, Thomas was named the starting safety for A-G and played like someone well beyond his years. Spears tallied 68 tackles, 5 interceptions, 3 passes defended, a forced fumble, and a tackle for loss. Thomas does a great job covering the whole field and doesn’t mind stepping into the box to defend the run. He has sideline-to-sideline speed and can close gaps very quickly. He also has a great sense of timing and space, allowing him to jump routes or flat out “outman” his receiver in order to create turnovers. Spears is very dangerous with the ball in his hands with lots of twitchiness and great speed. The Bluejays used his athleticism in all facets of the game; he was a starting receiver (159 receiving yards, 21 receptions, touchdown), saw time as a rusher (120 rushing yards), and was very effective as a kick returner (23.7 return average on 10 returns).
Peyton Gardner Peyton Gardner 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Gretna East | 2025 NE | Omaha Westview | 5’10″ 160 lbs
If there is a 2025 player that is going to break out of their shell in 2022, I think it could be Peyton Gardner Peyton Gardner 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Gretna East | 2025 NE . Peyton will be playing at the new Omaha Westview high school and should see his fair share of playing time in what will be a young team. He showed flashes of the DB that he could become with 12 tackles, an interception, and a pass deflection. Peyton is still a little raw, but still shows lots of promise with his coverage skills. He’s a gritty player that will get his hands dirty and defend the run or track someone down for a tackle on special teams.
Keynan Cotton Keynan Cotton 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH Omaha Westside | 2025 State NE | Papillion-La Vista | 5’10″ 175 lbs
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I got the chance to watch the Monarchs once this year and one player that I left completely surprised by was freshman stud Keynan Cotton Keynan Cotton 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH Omaha Westside | 2025 State NE . He is a physical player that is comfortable all alone on an island and can jam at the line of scrimmage. Keynan recorded 18 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 3 passes defended during his freshman campaign. He’s a very instinctive player that can change direction and make snap decisions with great efficiency. Keynan is also a solid tackler that maximizes his frame with taking on bigger players. Keynan is going to be one of the top 2025 players before his senior year.
Caden VerMaas Caden VerMaas 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Millard North | 2025 State NE | Millard North | 5’11″ 190 lbs
Caden is a player worth buying serious stock in now. VerMaas shined as a freshman on the Millard North freshman team and even got his feet wet with some varsity time. He posted up solid numbers defensively with 44 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 5 interception, and an astounding 5 touchdowns on defense. Caden will be a great two-way player for the Mustangs and projects very well as a defensive back at the next level. His ball skills and instincts are next level and he’s already reading plays like a player with more experience. He’s got great explosiveness and burst. He plays hard and is physical when he gets to his target. Caden is a very impressive youngster that is going to continue to develop very well.
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