7 2027 Defensive Backs Picking Up Steam Heading Into '24 Season

Camp season is in full swing and with the amount seven-on-seven tournaments happening throughout the state, there are plenty of opportunities for younger players to show their growth as some of them get ready to contribute on the varsity level. Among this new wave of talent are these seven defensive backs that are all gearing up for their sophomore season. These players are ready to show everyone that they have what it takes to be able to cover the top receivers in the state.    [player_tooltip player_id='883906' first='Tre' last='Kennard III'] has some excellent ball skills as a defensive back. Not only with his secure hands and being able to track the ball like a wide receiver, but his breaks to the ball and quick reaction times really stand out on tape. Kennard is a physical player too; not at all afraid to rip off the block and get involved in stopping the run game. With his quickness, poise, and clear football IQ, Kennard is a player coaches should have a close eye on as he works through his sophomore season.      [player_tooltip player_id='885196' first='Devin' last='Taylor'] had himself a very impressive freshman season for Centennial. Able to snag a redzone interception on varsity, it's clear that Taylor is going to be making a bigger impact for the team this season. At 5'10" and 180 lbs, he's got decent size and strength while still remaining incredibly quick and agile. With his size he's already shown that he can play up on receivers and press them even when he's at a size disadvantage. He does a great job of truly disrupting the route and completely throwing off the timing of the play. When he's not pressed up against the receiver, Taylor's footwork gets put on full display. His lightning quick feet make it seem as though he's covering both sides of the field. Taylor is a player who's recruitment could really heat up as he gets more eyes on him with more reps at the next level.      [player_tooltip player_id='884459' first='Kaden' last='Rambo'] does an excellent job in man coverage on the outside for O'Connor. With good footwork, he rarely ever finds himself out of position. He also possesses some impressive top-end speed to be able to keep up with the long-strided receivers he's often lined up against. Rambo has some fluid hips and can switch directions at the drop of a dime, making it incredibly difficult for receivers to get much separation. Playing on a very talented O'Connor squad, Rambo has the tools to make a real impact on their defense this season.      [player_tooltip player_id='834644' first='Mark' last='Woods'] isn't the biggest player at 5'8" and 140lbs but he plays much longer than that. With a scary combination of length and speed, he doesn't allow for much separation and has the reach to get to more passes than you'd think. Woods also has some impressive ball skills when he's able to get his hands on it and with his speed, is a threat to score once he gets the ball in his hands. You can tell his footwork is something he spends time working on with how refined and fluid he moves in the defensive backfield. As he continues to grow and develop, Woods is certainly a player to keep an eye on.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MWoods_5/status/1749439248359370896 </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='884006' first='Desvon' last='Johnson'] is a versatile player in the defensive backfield for Chandler. Able to play in the back end as a safety or on the outside at corner, he does a great job of playing both the run and pass and can truly make an impact on both. There are times when he can be a little late to react in zone coverage, but as he gets more experience he'll be able to tighten up those little things. Johnson does a nice job of reading the quarterback, particularly from the safety spot. With decent footwork to go with his speed, Johnson is a player who can really contribute to an always-talented Chandler roster.      [player_tooltip player_id='498322' first='Aidan' last='Whitaker'] is a remarkable athlete playing for Saguaro. A true weapon when he has the ball in his hands, and nearly as dangerous when trying to keep the ball out of everyone else's hands. He has no problem getting physical with receivers at 6'1" and 180 lbs and isn't very often at a size disadvantage. With his athleticism, he doesn't need the most impressive footwork to stick to his man. What stood out the most about Whitaker's game was his ability to play his zone so efficiently. Making sure to read the quarterback, he did a nice job of both carrying receivers for an extra second or switching off a little early depending on what the situation called for. Whitaker will no doubt be a versatile weapon for Saguaro who will find multiple ways to put his skills to use.      Whether it's catching the ball, making sure someone else doesn't catch the ball, stopping the run, returning kicks, or covering kicks, [player_tooltip player_id='884381' first='Zach' last='Van Zee'] can do it all. Coming out of Hamilton, there's a ton of talent over there with him but Van Zee has made it known that he's willing to do whatever to be on the field. He's a very sure tackler in open space and is very helpful in stopping the run, which can be really difficult from the secondary. He's not the fastest player, but he's smart in coverage which allows him to read the quarterback as the routes are developing. With that level of versatility, I have no doubts that he'll find ways to contribute at the next level this season.

Camp season is in full swing and with the amount seven-on-seven tournaments happening throughout the state, there are plenty of opportunities for younger players to show their growth as some of them get ready to contribute on the varsity level. Among this new wave of talent are these seven defensive backs that are all gearing up for their sophomore season. These players are ready to show everyone that they have what it takes to be able to cover the top receivers in the state.