2025 Standout Ranked DBs Check-In

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're already nearing the end of the 2024 season in the blink of an eye and it's time to spotlight some of our ranked athletes. Here's an update on some of our ranked DBs who have performed well to this point of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["872712"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672ce63a9e6b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2025 George Washington DB [player_tooltip player_id='872712' first='Solomon' last='Ferrell'] remains one of the top defensive backs in this class and is putting a nice cap on his high school career during his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'2 180 corner seems to still be flying under-the-radar with his recruitment this year with some small college offers but is very much deserving of D2 and FCS attention. He's leading the Patriots in receiving on top of being their top DB and has a ton of potential and upside at the next level in a variety of roles. Ferrell's length causes issues for QBs and WRs, and he has the speed to run step-for-step with most receivers. As we've said before, his ceiling may be highest at safety in college with his skill set, but if he has the fluidity to stick to college receivers, his ceiling raises even further. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17433278/672bb37dea00f6f83ae2688e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672ce63a9e988"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1039808"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672ce63a9e9d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The hardest-hitting DB in the state may just be 2025 Nitro safety [player_tooltip player_id='1039808' first='Zaevyon' last='Dickerson'] who we've been very high on for a while now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dickerson enjoys stamping receivers over the middle and can do so coming downhill in run support or short passes as well. He's athletic on the back end of the Nitro defense and can cover a lot of ground quickly, but the strength of his game may be playing closer to the LOS where he can defend the run or quick passes at a high level or line up head over slot receivers in man coverage with the ability to stick to them. Dickerson has totaled 44 tackles and 5 interceptions so far this season as one of the more versatile defensive backs in the 2025 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18078211/66e988cf453d9b29de634ff9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672ce63a9e9f9"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["938592"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672ce63a9ea36"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2025 Winfield DB [player_tooltip player_id='938592' first='Tre' last='Tanner'] is pound-for-pound one of the top defensive backs in this class and plays much above his listed 5'9 150 size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tanner has seen reps at both corner and safety this season and can execute well at both positions. Although he's giving up quite a size advantage on most wideouts, Tanner is a relentless and fearless DB who is quite physical for his stature. He does a great job shedding blocks when not in coverage to play the run or short passes and is a willing defender in run defense. Tanner is very quick both laterally and vertically, has very fluid hips, and has good change of direction ability. He'll also compete for jump balls and does a great job high-pointing passes even as a smaller DB. His knack for the ball should have more D2 programs overlooking his size as the ability is clearly there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22484719/66fb441edc4a605247108e5f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672ce63a9ea55"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["450995"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672ce63a9ea8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2025 Spring Mills WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='450995' first='Keyon' last='Mills'] has had a very strong senior season on both sides of the ball for one of the best teams in AAAA this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mills could play WR or DB at the next level and has a high ceiling for both depending on where colleges like him best. He's shown some very good playmaking ability on offense this season which could have him in line to flip to WR in our final rankings after the season. Mills is an explosive athlete with breakaway speed and quickness who performs very well in space out of the slot. You can utilize him in a variety of ways on offense, as Mills is a dynamic athlete who just needs to get the ball in his hands. He's affected games as a returner on special teams as well this season and is a must-offer for D2 programs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16744862/670482d93d7fcae1994787c5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672ce63a9eaac"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1307478"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672ce63a9eae5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2025 St. Albans DB [player_tooltip player_id='1307478' first='Malcolm' last='Maxwell'] is playing his senior year in West Virginia after moving from Georgia and is a name that college programs in the state need to get familiar with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WV State extended Maxwell his first offer during the summer with more to come after the season. He's yet to near his potential as a DB and still has room to grow both physically and fundamentally, but the foundation is there for Maxwell to develop into a future college starter at the D2 level. He's a fluid athlete who can play corner or free safety and can cover ground quickly. Maxwell's best football is ahead of him which should intrigue colleges for his services with potential future rewards once he's developed in their program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16608779/67019c8cb63a5fc4beacf54b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672ce63a9eb04"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->