2025 Class Rankings: Defensive Back Superlatives

BEST BALL SKILLS    Joseph has an excellent blend of size, speed, and movement ability, which allows him to be in almost every play. He loves to play out of phase and likes to bait quarterbacks into tough throws. As a result, watching Joseph burst out of his backpedal to break on the football is beautiful to watch.    Joseph earns the best ball skills superlative due to his ability to get to the ball no matter how he's positioned in his technique. Which I'm willing to surmise, is part of the reason the University Of Georgia offered him as a sophomore.    BEST ZONE IN COVERAGE/BEST TACKLER    To be good in zone coverage, as a corner, you have to be smart, instinctive, and a solid tackler and [player_tooltip player_id='475349' first='Naiim' last='Parrish'] has improved dramatically in all three areas. Since the first time I watch his film, Parrish has gotten leap and bounds better so much so that you can make a case his the best cornerback in the state. His ability to read and react while looking at the quarterback is by far the best in this class. Not only does he have the proof on his tape, but he also has the numbers to back it up recording over 13 PBU's in his sophomore campaign.    Naiim earned two superlatives with the second being best tackler. Electing to choose the easiest way to separate yourself as a cornerback, by being a willing tackler. Parrish is an exceptional tackler, especially when it comes to fighting through blocks blowing up screen passes, or being the force player. Parrish shows off his solid instincts consistently as a run-stopper, so much so, that it would be wise to utilize him as a defensive weapon.   Parrish earned an offer from Penn State, which is one of the best schools when it comes to developing defensive players especially, DBs. I'm guessing they see the same high-end potential I see.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NaiimParrish/status/1644072007015755776 </div></figure>      MOST UPSIDE    Renick has the athleticism and the length to be an elite high school cornerback. He has the recovery speed and ball skills to make consistent plays on the football no matter his technique.   I love his frame, his length, and his movement ability. However, as I reel off what I love about his game he earns the most upside superlative because has some things to work on before he becomes the elite cornerback. For example, he HAS to work on his body and get bigger. I understand he's only a sophomore, but as the players, he goes up against get better they also get bigger, and not being able to disrupt the rhythm and timing of wide receivers is crucial to being a great corner.   Lastly, I need him to be willing to accept the challenge. One of the major accomplishments that Dorilas has to his name is that he didn't allow a single reception all season in his coverage. While SAYING that sounds good and tantalizing. As people who study the game of football, we must go back and study the tape and see the context surrounding this accomplishment.  And THE TAPE SAYS that of the wide receivers that he's played this season, NONE of them were on his level and none of them were players that have looks from Division One schools.    As a result, Dorilas has earned an offer from Penn State and will be at some high-profile camps this summer. I want to see him accept the challenge of holding players that are on his talent level to no catches. Having the understanding that covering at camps and covering in games are not the same by any stretch. We do need to see how fares are against players that are on the level of players who could potentially play at Penn State.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/dorilas_renick/status/1478793637601370116 </div></figure>   MOST VERSATILE    Jones is a defensive back who can do it all. He primarily plays safety, but he also has film going into the slot and covering tight ends. In addition, he's a willing participant in the run game using his 6'0 180 pound frame sticking his nose in the fray, and making key tackles. In addition, he's also used as a disruptive force wreaking havoc as a blitzer he knows how to disrupt the timing and rhythm of the quarterback. Lastly, Jones earns the versatile superlative because in addition to the many responsibilities he has as a defensive player. He also makes his presence felt as special teams player recording a blocked punt for a touchdown.    MOST UNDERRATED    When the names of top corners come up in the 2025 class I have rarely heard Stewart's name mentioned. What's even more shocking is when you look at the caliber of players he's when against this season he might be the most battle-tested of any corner in the state. Standing at 6'2 185 pounds he's a big, physical, and long corner that isn't the fastest but does play well against top competition, has great ball skills, and is tough at the competition. Im predicting Stewart to have a solid camp season and as a result, propelling his name as one of the top defensive backs in his class.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shawnstewartjr/status/1598124299893997569 </div></figure>

BEST BALL SKILLS