#TN2025 Rankings Breakdown: Defensive Backs

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Going through our defenders in the secondary, what you see is a deep and talented crop of playmakers on the back end that will be playing on the college level next year. Here we break down those prospects inside our defensive back rankings overview. </h2>   The Top Ten    Grant sits as the top defensive back in this class, however his time in high school is already done as the Stars defender is enrolled at Purdue and set to play for the Boilermakers this Fall. Some may ask why he is listed in this class. Well that's confusing to me too as Grant was positioned by handlers to change his graduation year on multiple occasions, so it was tough to keep up with. Regardless, Grant is an elite prospect with the height, length and speed to become a starting, All-Conference performer during his time in the Big Ten Conference. It will be fun to watch how Grant develops and performs on the collegiate gridiron as I could see this Murfreesboro native make it to the NFL ranks one day.    - - - - -    Athletic, fast and versatile are the traits that immediately stand out about this Murfreesboro product, who I feel is just coming into his own with his best football days ahead of him. Ranked 2nd among the defensive backs, Morgan is a natural athlete that provides a lot of value to the secondary as someone that could handle every position, including potentially cover corner. He sports an agile lower base with quick feet and speed that could allow him to play cornerback in college. Morgan is such a good athlete that he could play some receiver if needed as well as become an excellent gunner or return man on special teams. I really like the upside with Morgan as he could be an All-Conference performer in college and a potential NFL ball player one day.    - - - - -    Lawrence has been a hot commodity during these off-season months as multiple Power Four have been in pursuit and trying to flip his commitment from the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Blue Tornado safety has become a top tier recruit and a top 10 ranked prospect by #PRZTN due to his potential to become an All-Conference performer during his time in the Southeastern Conference. What you like most about this ball hawk is his ability to track the ball in the air then use his range and speed to make a play on the ball. Lawrence also brings good size to the table, so he can eventually turn into a solid run stuffer as well. All the athletic and physical traits are there for Lawrence to develop nicely in college and potentially take his game into the professional level.    - - - - -    Nobody from our #TN2025 secondary class has made a bigger rise than this Williamson County native, who recently took himself off the market by committing to Auburn. Starr is a natural athlete with some of the best speed you will find in this state along with height and length, which makes him a prime candidate to play cover corner down on “The Plains”. A smooth mover with fluid hips, Starr does a good job of using his speed to keep up with receivers while his length causes issues for those wideouts to see and bring in the ball. If cornerback doesn't work, Starr I feel could easily move back into free safety and excel. His ability to be a gunner on special teams is outstanding as well. There is a lot to like about this guy and his upside on the next level. He just needs to keep learning and working and one day, Starr could be labeled as one of the best at his position on the collegiate gridiron.    - - - - -    Big and physical with secondary versatility, Jimcoily has been a hot name on the recruiting trail for the better part of two years but soon, this Nashville native will be taking himself off the market as decides between a final four of Alabama, LSU, Stanford and Tennessee. The Mustangs senior defender brings college size to the field along with nice range and the ability to make some punishing hits. Jimcoily is a well built young man that will need to continue developing his speed as he tries to stick at safety. I can see a possibility where this Nashville native grows into that “Star” position player that plays in the middle quarter of the defense as a slash linebacker/defensive back. It will be interesting to see how Jimcoily progresses over this Fall season and what he does moving forward into the college game.    <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2025-rankings/?position=DB">#TN2025 Senior Defensive Back Rankings</a>   - - - - -    Ranking 6th among our #TN2025 defensive backs, Muhammad is a naturally athletic guy that could play a variety of roles throughout the secondary with the possibility of playing cover corner on the college level. Standing 6 '0 with a physical body and good arm length, the Red Devils senior defensive back has the traits along with the athleticism to develop nicely on the outside but could definitely excel at safety as well. Muhammad is a technician with high football intelligence and a strong work ethic, so you can rest assured that this Memphis area product will be working hard to keep himself on the island in college. What this athletic defensive back could bring you is secondary versatility along with the upside to perform at a high level on special teams as well, so there is a lot of value residing with Muhammad and his long term potential.    - - - - -    Tall and long with natural athletic abilities, Taylor is one of the more intriguing defensive backs we have from the #TN2025 class that could turn out to be one of the better prospects in the state down the road. The Warriors senior has all the physical traits you want in a college guy along with the look of a potential ball hawking safety on the back end of the secondary. Taylor has a quick first step and once he reaches the ball, he finishes with physicality and violence. His range to make plays all around the secondary is very appealing to collegiate coaches but with increased speed, his stock could soar even further. His upcoming senior year will be big towards landing on the big stage of college football and I think he can get there because Taylor is just too talented with tons of upside.    - - - - -    James had a breakthrough season last year as a junior where he was a key cog on both sides of the ball during the Mustangs run towards their 6A championship. His play last year was critical but now he returns for another season where this Memphis area product can continue boosting his stock and work at moving up in our next updated rankings. What James brings to the table is tremendous athleticism along with the speed and agile lower base to play all over the secondary. He brings excellent value to the back end as someone you could plug into a variety of roles and expect him to play with consistency. Where his biggest upside may reside is at free safety where James can use his range and speed to track down the ball. He also shows upside as a potential special teamer that could work at gunner or as a returner. I really like the potential James brings to the field and his versatility, so whoever lands this guy could be getting a steal.    - - - - -    Harmon is a guy that could be listed at two different positions as some schools are recruiting this Williamson County native as a receiver but for me, I personally like his upside best on defense where he can develop into a solid nickel, possible cover corner. Ranking 9th among our defensive backs, Harmon provides tremendous athleticism and versatility to the playing field that translates well to the collegiate level. Harmon breaks quick on passes while showing the speed and lower base agility to stay on path with his receivers. He is also a willing tackler, which speaks to his potential at nickelback. Starring on special teams could also be in his future as well as Harmon shows excellent potential as a return man. His game should definitely be on full display this Fall at BA as one of the team's premier playmakers and if he puts forth a big senior year, his stock and ranking could certainly rise.    - - - - -    Athletic and fast with tremendous range, Wiebush recently took himself off the recruiting board with a commitment to Memphis and I believe they got a steal as his best football days are definitely ahead of him. Still learning to play safety, Wiebush brings all the athletic traits you want on the back end along with nice size and length. The Pats senior defensive back may have the best range of anybody from our #TN2025 class. He breaks on the ball very well due to his 4.4 speed and natural instincts. His stock has only continued to rise throughout the off-season and I think it will continue over the coming months as college coaches get a look at his senior film. This is a definite ranking riser within our next update and someone that could boost himself into Power Four status.    - - - - -   Other DB's Ranked Inside Top 200   [player_tooltip player_id='1104939' first='Ethan' last='Couvertiere'] - Bearden (11th ranked DB/47th overall)   - Tall and long with a physically well built body, Couvertiere has the look of a college guy along with good athleticism and versatility to handle several roles on the back end. He plays corner for his Bulldogs team and he may stick there in college but his best upside may sit back at safety.    [player_tooltip player_id='467267' first='Bronson' last='Crisp'] - Oakland (12th ranked DB/48th overall)   - I don't think Crisp truly understands how good he can be as I feel that his best football days are ahead of him, especially once he completely buys in. Sporting good height and length with a wide radius, Crisp has the tools to develop nicely at free safety and become an excellent ball hawk on the collegiate gridiron.    [player_tooltip player_id='258657' first='Chase' last='Sutton'] - Bartlett (13th ranked DB/53rd overall)   - Sutton is a guy you might look up to in a few years and see him starting at cornerback for a D1 program. His film shows some of the best cover corner work in the #TN2025 class. The Panthers senior defensive back must continue packing on more weight while continuing to increase his athletic skill set but the potential is definitely there!    [player_tooltip player_id='835861' first='Austin' last='Kent'] - East Nashville (14th ranked DB/59th overall)   - Tall and long with a wide radius, Kent brings several intriguing athletic traits to the playing field that translate well to the college game. Only question I have for Kent is what position will he play? He shows upside to potentially play cover corner in college but at worst, the Eagles DB can drop back and perform well at free safety.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/akent.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1275044" style="width:249px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1001170' first='Taylor' last='Lawrence'] - Independence (15th ranked DB/76th overall)   - Sporting nice physical size with position versatility, Lawrence will be a guy to follow in the Fall to see where his game develops because I can see D1 abilities here with this Williamson County native. The Eagles defender handles cornerback for his team and he may remain there in college but could certainly develop at safety as well.    [player_tooltip player_id='1110694' first='Andre' last='Allen'] - Houston (16th ranked DB/78th overall)   - Allen is a rangy ball hawk on the back end that has a nose for being around the ball. He shows an excellent first step with instincts along with the speed to track down the ball. His versatility is also a strength as Allen could handle some nickelback as well as become a key piece on special teams.    [player_tooltip player_id='1269174' first='Hal' last='Niendorff'] - Knox. Webb (17th ranked DB/100th overall)   - Niendorff is one of the more under the radar talents we have in the #TN2025 class. He plays a clean, steady brand of football along with high team value as a leader and productive performer. The Spartans senior safety does a nice job of reading the play then breaking on the ball without hesitation with most times coming up with the ball or disrupting things.    [player_tooltip player_id='858830' first='Malik' last='Hicks'] - Riverdale (18th ranked DB/124th overall)   - The Warriors added this 6 '1 potential cover corner to their secondary this off-season and it might turn out to be a big move as Hicks has excellent untapped potential that may be fulfilled at Riverdale. His skill set works well on the outside as Hicks shows the speed and fluid lower body movements to remain at cornerback in college.    [player_tooltip player_id='1159809' first='Antoni' last='Morton'] - East Nashville (19th ranked DB/125th overall)   - Morton has been a starter on his Eagles defense for multiple years now and a lot of that is due to his dependability and versatility within the secondary. He handles cover corner in high school but I personally like his upside best at nickel or possibly back at safety. Morton could be a key piece in college on special teams as well.    [player_tooltip player_id='1102532' first='Harlan' last='Bledsoe, Jr'] - Whitehaven (20th ranked DB/129th overall)   - Sitting under the radar but ranked inside the Top 20 at his position, Bledsoe, Jr brings high energy to the field along with the ability to play several roles across the secondary. The Tigers senior plays an active, physical brand of football that fits very well for nickelback where he can work against the run while also covering receivers in space.    [player_tooltip player_id='1128449' first='Sean' last='Couvertiere'] - McCallie (21st ranked DB/136th overall)   - Couvertiere is a big dude that will lay you out if come in his path. His physicality and reactionary skills are two things that travel well to the college level but if he can increase his speed, his stock will rise. His upcoming senior year will dictate a lot for this Chattanooga area defensive back.    [player_tooltip player_id='625527' first='Mason' last='Goree'] - Bradley Central (22nd ranked DB/138th overall)   - Versatility is the key word when talking about Goree. The Bears senior defender is a natural athlete with a fluid lower base that could be utilized at several positions across the secondary, including potentially cover corner. Goree could be a nice piece on special teams as a gunner or a return man.    [player_tooltip player_id='898263' first='Caiden' last='Anku'] - Father Ryan (23rd ranked DB/145th overall)   - Anku will be a guy that rises in our next updated rankings after a strong off-season showing, especially during the months of April and May where this Nashville area defender took his game to another level. It will be interesting to see how he progresses this Fall with his Fighting Irish defense.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/canku.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1310419" style="width:286px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1118589' first='Dason' last='Springer'] - White House-Heritage (24th ranked DB/148th overall)   - This could be a breakout star this Fall that takes his game and recruiting stock to another level. Springer is a big dude (6'3 190) with great length and range to chase down the ball from anywhere. If he can increase his speed and lower base agility, bigger schools may take a harder look into this Mid-TN product.    [player_tooltip player_id='1136682' first='Jalen' last='Anderson'] - Blackman (25th ranked DB/150th overall)   - This Murfreesboro area defensive back will see his stock rise in our next update as Anderson has had a stellar off-season where he has shown an improved body along with an increase in his speed. The Blaze defender could be one of the best nickel back prospects in the state and he will have a great shot at earning that status this coming Fall.    [player_tooltip player_id='1224005' first='Anthony' last='Holland'] - Northwest (26th ranked DB/168th overall)   - A natural ball hawk that has been at the top of the board in interceptions over the past two years, Holland has a great feel for the game that will travel with him to the college level. He will play his senior year at Northwest where he should have another productive season and contend to lead the state in interceptions.   [player_tooltip player_id='219453' first='Camryn' last='Darden'] - Riverdale (27th ranked DB/174th overall)   - Darden returns for his senior year looking to take his game to another by showing why he should be worthy of more college looks. The Warriors defender has a good skill set that could work at several positions within the secondary with his biggest upside coming either at nickelback or safety.    [player_tooltip player_id='819506' first='Ke'Darean' last='Fletcher'] - Riverdale (28th ranked DB/176th overall)   - Making the move from Cane Ridge to Riverdale for his senior year, Fletcher is looking to boost his stock with a breakout season within possibly one of the better defensive units in the Mid-TN region. Tall and long with a wide radius, Fletcher has the physical traits to become a nice strong or free safety in college but must increase his speed to fulfill his potential.    [player_tooltip player_id='829084' first='Deuce' last='Greenhill'] - Crockett Co. (29th ranked DB/179th overall)   - Sitting out in the West Tennessee region, Greenhill comes from an area that's not highly recruited but trust me, this guy can play. Speed is the trait that stands out the most about the Cavs senior defensive back, who has the potential to play multiple positions across the secondary in college.    [player_tooltip player_id='1071176' first='Isaiah' last='Williams'] - Brentwood Acad. (30th ranked DB/187th overall)   - Ranking 30th among our DB's, Williams is a hidden gem that has gotten better and better over the past two years to where I think he could be a steal for whoever signs him. What the Eagles senior provides on the back end is versatility with technique sound game play. This is a strong competitor that I think will only get better as he matures.   [player_tooltip player_id='1159791' first='Jayden' last='Smitherman'] - Ravenwood (31st ranked DB/195th overall)   - A multi year starter within the Raptors secondary, Smitherman is a strong competitor that plays a consistent brand of football with a nose for the ball. Whether that's through the air or on the ground, Smitherman does a great job of reading the play then reacting without hesitation to make a play on the ball.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/jaysmitherman.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1215675" style="width:321px;height:auto" /></figure>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2025-rankings/">#TN2025 Top 250</a>   - - - - -    Other DB's Ranked Inside TN Top 250   [player_tooltip player_id='812480' first='Jayun' last='Smith'] - Brainerd (32nd ranked DB/208th overall)   [player_tooltip player_id='353442' first='DeCoriyeon' last='Brown'] - Austin-East (33rd ranked DB/214th overall)   [player_tooltip player_id='1102524' first='Avery' last='Johnson'] - Mt. Pleasant (34th ranked DB/221st overall)   [player_tooltip player_id='1207762' first='Trey' last='McGaffee'] - Blackman (35th ranked DB/226th overall)   [player_tooltip player_id='1177681' first='Andrew' last='Cross-Adams'] - Antioch (36th ranked DB/230th overall)   [player_tooltip player_id='467266' first='Markee' last='Crutcher'] - Red Bank (37th ranked DB/235th overall)   [player_tooltip player_id='605418' first='Taylon' last='Carpenter'] - Brighton (38th ranked DB/239th overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/hniendorff.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1271187" style="width:405px;height:auto" /></figure>