5 2026 DB Risers To Watch Entering Offseason

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In just a few short months, the 2026 class will stand on the mainstage with the 2025 class on the recruiting trail. As these guys are still young, new names will continue to emerge as they shine on Friday. Here are some 2026 defensive backs looking to build off impressive 2023 seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1077918"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6'1 165 with plenty of room to grow.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eExcellent short area footwork. Can change directions on a dime without tripping over himself or taking false steps.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSettles into zones and gets his feet under him before he strikes.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eOutstanding ball skills. Plays through the receivers hands without running into the receiver and causing a PI.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eHis length works to his advantage in tight windows, clouding throwing lanes and sometimes forcing coverage sacks.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eAdjusts well when defending receivers running in and out of his zone. Can quickly key to cut on routes and does a great job of getting his hips and head around.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eIs a good athlete with some range, but relies on his instincts to put himself in a good position to take the appropriate angles to the ball.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003ePower Statement:u003c/strongu003e [player_tooltip player_id='1077918' first='Josh' last='Love'] is a tremendously gifted S prospect with higher tier athletic traits and an advanced understanding of the position. His smooth footwork and instincts take his game to another level, setting himself up nicely to take the correct angles across the field.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Da'von Swinton","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Stephens County","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eCompact 5'8 build.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eExplosive athlete that plays both ways and on special teams. On offense, he showcases some impressive long-speed with the ball in his hands.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSpends a lot of time lined up at corner, although his size might project best at nickel and/or safety.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSeems to play his best when working with cushion. Has a quick, smooth backpedal and breaks on the ball aggressively.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eKnows when to turn and run, can stay in phase and give himself a chance to compete with bigger receivers on contested throws.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eHas good ball skills. Does a good job of locating the hands of the receiver and has good enough leaping ability to reach and attack the catch point for receivers.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003ePower Statement:u003c/strongu003e Da'von Swinton might not be what you think of height wise when you envision a CB prospect. However, he compensates for his size with excellent explosiveness and speed. He is physical when he plays the ball and gives himself a chance to make a play. He could pop on the D1 radar, projecting as a nickel or safety.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Damarcus O'Neal","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Northside","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eLanky, proportional 6'0 190 frame.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDoes a great job of sneaking up on in-breaking routes and baiting QBs into making throws.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eHas good discipline in his eyes and doesn't run himself out of plays. Instead, quickly opens up stride and accelerates to a spot in a hurry after making the correct reads.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eKeeps a lid on the offense. Is often dropped back alone on single-high safety looks. Roams centerfield efficiently.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eTrue ballhawk. Loads of production in the INTs and PBU department. Good length and leaping ability, highpoints the ball and has the natural hands to get them up quickly when he gets his head around at the last minute.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDoes a good job of anchoring down, mirroring the ball carrier, and striking with low pad-level to upend ball carriers.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003ePower Statement:u003c/strongu003e Damarcus O'Neal is a rangey, natural athlete with some real D1 upside. He has soft hands and is trusted to cover a lot of ground. He plays with good discipline and takes efficient angles to the football. His best football is still ahead of him, which makes him even more intriguing.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"CJ Davis ","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6'2 180 with some broadness in his shoulders. Checks length boxes.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePurely a cornerback. Can easily hit his physical peak around 200 pounds with his frame. Physically, he can step up and press against receivers at the line.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eNot super twitchy, but can bump and run with receivers. Possesses the fluidity in his hips to rotate his frame and get up to full-stride.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eExtremely pesky in coverage with his length. Can crowd receivers at the line to disrupt timing and tangles up their route at release points.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDoesn't panic when his coverage breaks down and is working from a deficit. Instead, he remains under control and fires to the ball.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eMore of a u0022run into youu0022 tackler, but he comes downhill hard and drives through blockers. Length gives him a large tackling radius.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFantastic ball skills. Does a good job of getting his head around to locate the ball and getting at least one hand up.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eExtra note: Davis has only been playing football for two years. He looks very polished for a player with so little experience. As is typical with prospects still learning the game, the upside is through the roof.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003ePower Statement:u003c/strongu003e CJ Davis is a long, physical corner who should excel in a press, bump and run coverage scheme. He isn't the fastest or twitchiest defender, but he is fluid in the hips, knows when to turn and run, and is extremely difficult to throw over. He simply warrants more attention than what he is getting right now.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d3886a1566"} /-->