Lockdown 2025 DBs: Rankings Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone recently updated our 2025 Missouri rankings. There is a talented class of defensive backs throughout the state. Below, I highlight five rising defensive backs in the 2025 rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["328991"],"_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":"I was impressed with the improvements [player_tooltip player_id='328991' first='Robert' last='Collins Jr']. made during his junior year. I think he is best suited to play defense, but after a strong junior campaign, be on the lookout for RJ's two-way recruitment to heat up going into his senior season. RJ's quickness and vision displayed in the open field highlights his potential to be recruited as an offensive playmaker. RJ shows good instincts, acceleration, and physicality attacking underneath routes as an off-coverage defender. Quick feet, a fast change of direction, and good long speed allows RJ to easily turn and stay in phase as a press man defender. RJ's awareness, good tackling ability, and next level strength allows him to play multiple spots in a collegiate secondary.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1117627"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1117627' first='Antonio' last='Strong'] is one of the heaviest recruited two-way prospects in St. Louis. He visited Lindenwood and Wisconsin last fall, and also received an offer from Austin Peay. Expect Antonio's list of scholarships to only grow longer as his senior year approaches. Antonio's size and explosiveness displayed gaining separation from defenders highlights his ability to play receiver in college. Length, instincts, and athleticism at the catchpoint suggests Antonio has the ball skills to win 50/50 balls at the next level. Quick feet, strength, and top speed displayed mirroring receivers at the break point highlights Antonio's ability to thrive as a man defender in college.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1118440"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1118440' first='Carter' last='Foote'] is a rising two-way prospect out of St. Louis County. With great size and athleticism, Carter still has the potential to be recruited on both sides of the ball. Watch out for Carter to start receiving offers around the region before his senior season begins. Burst, vision, and power displayed in the open field suggests Carter may be a receiver at the next level. Size, quickness, and top speed displayed as a ball carrier highlights Carter's potential to thrive as a man defender in college. Carter's next level length, strength, and speed gets displayed accelerating from a deep zone to disrupt catchpoints outside of his vicinity.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["727703"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Despite missing time in 2023 due to injuries, [player_tooltip player_id='727703' first='Gionni' last='McBride'] has solidified himself as a top 2025 defender out of Kansas City. He went on game day visits to Kansas and Mizzou and also received an offer from Akron last fall. Expect more schools outside of Kansas City to offer Gionni before his senior season begins. Gionni displays quick feet and a fluid change of direction mirroring receivers in man coverage. Gionni's length and athleticism allows him to blanket receivers in the redzone and disrupt 50/50 balls. A great combination of size, ball skills, and long speed suggests Gionni has all the tools to thrive on an island in college.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1118571"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1118571' first='Vi'Naz' last='Cobb'] continued to impress scouts during a state championship winning season in 2023. The good-sized, versatile DB made great strides during his junior year and is set to be a heavily recruited defender out of St. Louis. Look out for more schools in the region to offer Vi'Naz this spring. Vi'Naz displays good size, top speed, quick hips, and ball skills in man coverage. Good instincts and acceleration gets displayed attacking the catchpoint once the ball is thrown. Power, good tackling ability, and productivity as a blitzer highlights Vi'Naz' potential to be a versatile back-end defender.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a090b846391"} /-->