Evaluations of The Top Defensive Backs in the 2027 Class
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Ashton Alston OH #1 DB #1 HEIGHT 5'10" WEIGHT 160 POS DB CLASS 2027 View Profile Ashton Alston Instagram Twitter State: Ohio School: Anderson Alston put together a fantastic freshman season on a team that made it to the division…
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Continue ReadingAlston put together a fantastic freshman season on a team that made it to the division 2 final four. His play landed him at the top of our 2027 overall rankings. He lined up at cornerback for the Raptors. He has the loose hips and athleticism that allows him to flip his hips and change direction with ease. Ashton, who goes by “Ace”, has an explosive break and is able to get downhill with ease. While many “play the ball”, Alston “attacks it” when it’s in the air. He’s comfortable playing in space. If he can continue to get bigger and stronger and add a press man element to his game, he’ll have the full package. It’s easy to see why P4’s have taken notice and he’s earned offers from the likes of Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Oregon among others.
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Ziere made his way into our 2027 rankings as the 10th overall player and DB2. He’s a talented defender for the Dunbar Wolverines. He has an impressive frame for a freshman. I like him as a versatile safety at the college level. He has the athleticism, speed, and the ball skills to play free safety. He has the downhill physicality to blow things up versus the run. He’s explosive and gets home when he blitzes on passing downs. Defensive backs who can play both safety positions are a defensive weapon for defensive coordinators, because they can be moved all over the field at any point and the opposing QB has to account for where they are and what their responsibility is on every play. With a strong camp season, I think Alston could explode onto the D1 P4 scene.
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Madden, our 11th ranked player and DB3, was a talented two-way player on a 12-2 Withrow Tigers team that made a deep playoff run. He’s a play maker at wide receiver, but I like him on the defensive side of the ball at the next level. Right now, I see him as a slot corner. He has great short space quickness and the ability to mirror receivers. He plays with good awareness of where the ball is and has a nice break on the ball. He’s fearless in playing against the run as he plays downhill and attacks the ball carrier. As he continues to develop physically, I think he’ll become more of a physical presence with receivers. This summer’s camp season will be a good chance for him to start to build some D1 recruiting momentum.
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Fenton, who landed on our 2027 watchlist, is a versatile corner who plays on the outside of an Eagles defense that made it all the way to the Division 2 state semifinals. Fenton is a cornerback who has good length and athleticism. He’s very comfortable and smooth in using the bail technique in coverage. When the throw is made, he uses an explosive break to come up and make plays on the ball. Jairel also shows the timing and explosiveness to blitz off the edge. If Jairel can continue developing physically, he’s will definitely start to get the attention and interest of D1 college coaches.
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Bishop Watterson made a post season run that took them all the way to the D3 state championship game. Hayes, who we have on our 2027 watchlist, played cornerback on that talented Eagles defense. Hayes will use a straight drop and is also comfortable using the bail technique in coverage and is fluid in his drop. He has a good break on the ball and frequently is able to step in front of the receiver to make the play if not the interception. Joe has a strong football IQ and awareness to peel off and make plays when it’s there as well. Because of his ability to play in space, take good routes to the ball, and awareness I could see Hayes slide down to the free safety position at the college level. With a good camp season should start to see catch the eyes of D1 coaches and get on the radars of college programs.