#PRZTN Crystal Ball: Breakthrough Def. Backs

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">One of the deepest positions within the #TN2025 class are the DB's, which means plenty of talent is available to be had, including these guys below that I can see breaking out this Fall and becoming bonafide college recruits. </h2>     <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospect-database/?player_name=&high_school_name=&class%5B%5D=2025&position%5B%5D=DB&commitment=">#TN2025 Defensive Back Database</a>   (CB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='835861' first='Austin' last='Kent'] - East Nashville   - Kent is the lone defensive back on this list that already holds 10 offers or more, so why would he be posted here? It's because I think this Nashville area defender has another level to his game and if he reaches it, Power Four programs could get involved. Kent is tall and long with the ability to handle multiple positions on the back end as well as the upside to possibly develop at cover corner. He shows on film the ability to do so and with enhanced speed, I can see Kent remaining on the outside in college. Regardless, this is a talented defensive back that provides value due to his size, athleticism and versatility, so keep an ear out for this Eagles senior moving through Summer and Fall months.    - - - - -    (CB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='858830' first='Malik' last='Hicks'] - LaVergne   - This is one of my top hidden gems to follow through the rest of the year as Hicks provides several physical abilities and traits that translate well to the collegiate gridiron with tons of room for growth. Standing about 6'1 170 pounds, Hicks has good size and length but can also run, which allows him to possibly play cover corner in college. The Wolverines defensive back does a good job of staying on path with the wideout and playing disciplined football, rarely being called for anything. Hicks shows good feet as well, so I'm interested to see how this Mid-Tennessee product progresses over the coming months and develops into one of the better cover corner prospects from the #TN2025 class.    - - - - -    (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1269174' first='Hal' last='Niendorff'] - Knox. Webb   - Coaches and scouts need to keep an eye open for this Knoxville area safety moving forward as I can see Niendorff playing his way into a D1 offer. The Spartans senior defender is one of the more instinctive safeties we have in the #TN2025 class as well as one of the smartest ones. Niendorff is a true “ball player” that simply knows what he's doing on the field at all times and plays a consistent brand of football. He's not only a savvy ball hawk but Niendorff is a good athlete too that shows excellent closing speed and range. His height may be holding some teams off right now but after paying attention to him last Fall and going through his junior film, Niendorff is a baller and true hidden gem that has the chops to play big time college football.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NiendorffHal/status/1789723933609992621 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1102532' first='Harlan' last='Bledsoe, Jr'] - Whitehaven   - Many across the state may not know too much about this Memphis area defensive back but this guy is a player and someone that can take his stock to another level with a productive and strong senior season. Bledsoe, Jr is one of the fiercest competitors from our #TN2025 DB class and a prospect that can handle several roles across the secondary. This dude is a hitter. A violent guy that doesn't mind playing close to the line and hitting people. His ability to play violent comes from his mindset but also his athleticism and speed.  Bledsoe, Jr shows an excellent first step along with closing speed that plays up on the college level. I think his best fit is inside at nickelback or on the back end at strong safety as well as being a strong piece to plug into your special teams.    - - - - -    (NB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='1136682' first='Jalen' last='Anderson'] - Blackman   - It's been a strong off-season thus far for this Murfreesboro area defensive back and it leads me to think Anderson could be in store this Fall for his breakthrough season. A versatile defender that is one of the better workers in this state, Anderson has a skill set that can excel at both nickelback or safety as well as become a key piece on special teams. All of that is due to his progression this off-season in the weight room and playing field with increased agility and speed. Anderson has a “dawg” mentality that should appeal to a great deal of college coaches. His work in college camps and this Fall season will go a long way towards seeing where lands on the next level.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jalen_A25/status/1789427442865598835 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (NB/S) [player_tooltip player_id='219453' first='Camryn' last='Darden'] - Riverdale   - The Warriors are having to replace some key secondary pieces from last year but Darden has the abilities to step into a big role this Fall and push his stock into FCS status. A versatile defender, this Murfreesboro area defensive back plays a tough brand of football with the willingness to tackle close to the line of scrimmage. Darden is also a good athlete that shows on film the ability to stay on path with his receiver and play through him to break up the pass. Where I think Darden can shine the best is inside at nickelback. He is able to work against the run at nickel while also displaying his ability to cover in space. This could be a name that bursts onto the scene in the next few months due to his work at summer camps and continued buzz based around his film.    - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='829084' first='Deuce' last='Greenhill'] - Crockett Co.   - A natural athlete that could be one of the fastest in the state from his defensive back position, Greenhill has begun to see his hard work pay off with an offer recently from UT-Martin and continued buzz coming from several coaches across the Southern region. Coming from a small part of West Tennessee, Greenhill has had to gain attention this off-season and he's done just that by excelling in camp settings as well as displaying outstanding athleticism and coverage abilities during 7v7 work. The Cavaliers senior athlete could be recruited for offense but his upside as a possible cornerback trumps everything else. He is also a versatile guy that could develop at nickel and safety as well. Greenhill must continue working hard to keep his name out there further but this guy can play and should be one of the better defensive backs out of the West TN region this year.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/greenhillboy22/status/1721251105399591078 </div></figure>   - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1071176' first='Isaiah' last='Williams'] - Brentwood Academy   - Williams stepped into a lead role last year for the Eagles and put together a strong junior season that has him on the map now as one of the top defensive back prospects coming out of Williamson County. Earlier this year at the PRZTN Winter Showcase, Williams started his process in a strong way by displaying excellent discipline and coverage skills along with the willingness to play physical with his opponent. His film shows all that as well, including the ability to cover in open space. Williams could have a shot to play cover corner in college but he must enhance the speed and lower base quickness. Nickelback or free safety could be his calling card and positions where Williams could become a multi year college starter down the road.    - - - - -    (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1224005' first='Anthony' last='Holland'] - Northwest   - Holland is a true ball hawk that simply knows how to find the ball as he returns for his senior year as one of the state leaders in interceptions. When the ball is in the air, Holland does a great job of closing the gap with his recovery speed then highpointing the ball well with his outstanding vert. The Vikings senior is a good athlete that could handle either nickelback or safety on the next level as well as become a key piece on special teams. Holland is a savvy guy that understands the game and gives his team everything in search of wins. I'm looking at a breakout summer camp season for Holland then taking that momentum into the football year and continuing to produce at a high standard as one of the best ball hawks in the state.    - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1177681' first='Andrew' last='Cross-Adams'] - Antioch   - Tall and long with secondary versatility, Cross-Adams sits under the radar at the moment but has the tools to put forth a breakthrough senior year and boost his recruiting stock in a big way. The Bears senior athlete plays both ways at receiver and defensive back but after going in-depth with his film, I like this guy's upside best in the secondary. What Cross-Adams looks like is a strong safety that can come down in the box and play versus the run while also having the range to chase down the ball through the air. More learning and field work must be done to become the kind of player I think Cross-Adams can become but the raw tools are there to develop nicely on the back end within the college ranks.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DrewCrossAdams/status/1767256961152668009 </div></figure>   - - - - - Four Others to Watch: (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1102524' first='Avery' last='Johnson'] - Mt. Pleasant, (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='605418' first='Taylon' last='Carpenter'] - Brighton, (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='497426' first='Israel' last='Small'] - Anderson Co., (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1266544' first='Shannon' last='McKinney'] - Knox. Catholic   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/87-Isaiah-Williams.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1138242" style="width:306px;height:auto" /></figure>