#TN2025 Breakthrough Defensive Backs

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">One of the deepest position groups with our senior class comes from the secondary and it's grown even further after going through new highlights. Below are the players who we feel have boosted their stocks with excellent senior seasons. </h2>     Def. Back Stock Risers    Going through all the senior secondary tape, I saw Starr make the most improvement from an overall standpoint as this Mid-TN talent has the upside to become a Power Four lockdown cover corner. The Raptors senior defender has outstanding speed along with height, length and the quick feet that allows him the potential to cover big and fast wideouts on the outside. Starr is very athletic too, so his ceiling is quite high for the college game. He is also new to the position but Starr has taken to playing corner very well, showing why multiple Power Four schools are after his services.    - - -    Wiebush has developed at a rapid rate over the last two years where now he is considered one of the best safety prospects from our senior class. Athletic and rangy with a quick first step, Wiebush is a ball hawk that simply knows how to find the ball. This past off-season and senior year, his game has gone to another level, which is why Wiebush is currently committed to Wake Forest. The Pats senior defender is an all around safety prospect too that fits playing the field side but can play the boundary as well. Wiebush has the athletic skill set, size and smarts to find the field early in his career at Wake and become an immediate contributor.    - - -    Kennedy wasn't inside our initial rankings due to his involvement down at IMG Academy but this native Tennessean moved back home for his senior season and it's been a breakout year for Wildcats safety. Sporting great size and length, Kennedy looks the part of a college guy and has played like one this Fall. Where the Cats senior defender has developed further is with his speed and overall football knowledge. The range Kennedy shows on film is outstanding but his play recognition has increased a ton as well. The physical traits this Mid-TN product brings to the field warrants an early look in college where Kennedy could see the field sooner than later.    - - -    Going into the Fall season, Kent was already ranked as a Top 20 defensive back but after watching his senior film, the Eagles senior product has increased his stock by showing further development with his skill set. Where Kent has taken his game to another level is with his technique and overall football knowledge. His clips show better work with staying on path with his receiver while displaying the speed needed to potentially play on the outside. He is also a physical tackler that will come up and play close to the line. Versatility is the main thing I recognize with Kent as he could develop at cornerback but his biggest upside may reside back at safety.    - - -    One of the biggest risers in our coming rankings will be this West Tennessee product that has developed at a nice rate and could have his best football days ahead of him. Carpenter is a technique sound ball player that has enhanced not only his build but his athleticism and speed as well. His play recognition and range looks vastly improved but so too does his physicality. He did some nice work in the off-season to push his skill set further and it shows on his senior film. There is a reason he is committed to Army and a D1 school but it would not be surprising to see other bigger programs take a deeper look at this 6 '1 defensive back with a good ceiling.    - - -    Ever since the spring time, Anku has been on a mission to push his game further and I believe he's done that with an outstanding senior season. This athletic and versatile defensive back displayed multiple skills on the back end this year by playing cornerback and safety and showing the ability to play either on the collegiate level. Where the Fighting Irish senior has increased his stock is with his play recognition and instincts. Anku makes plays on the ball consistently due to his quick reactions and speed. He does show some upside to potentially play some corner in college but his biggest upside could work best at free safety. Either way, I like the value of Anku due to his secondary versatility and potential to play special teams.    - - -    Jumping on the radar this Fall, Johnson is a new name to our database that will have significant placement among our defensive backs for the upcoming senior rankings. Standing almost 6'2 180 pounds, the Panthers senior defensive back brings a lot of physical tools to the secondary that translates well to the next level. Johnson is a good athlete that shows on film the ability to handle the boundary, play bigger receivers on the outside. He has good balance and bend but also the foot speed to keep up with his opponent. If it doesn't work out at corner for Johnson, he could develop nicely at safety. Watching this guy play in person recently, I see a bright future for this Memphis area defensive back.    - - -    This guy could be one of the better nickel back prospects coming out of our senior class and his film shows that. The Warriors defensive back has a versatile skill set that could allow him to handle multiple roles on the back end with maybe his best upside coming from the slot. The first thing I notice and like about Darden's senior film is his quick feet that allows him to get to the ball fast. This is an aggressive performer that will come up and hit you but also has the agile lower body to run and stay on path with his receiver. I do think Darden needs to continue packing on the pounds but I like this guy's upside at nickel on the collegiate playing field.    - - -    Transferring over to Cleveland for his senior season, Smith took to the move well as I feel he put forth his best season yet, placing himself on the map to become a legit college recruit. The Blue Raiders senior defender is one of the more athletic, fluid safety prospects we have from our #TN2025 class. His senior clips show improved play recognition along with better physicality  but also the versatility to do a variety of things on the back end. Smith shows ball hawk tendencies and due to his athletic abilities, I think this East TN talent can develop nicely at free safety on the college level. More weight must be added but the upside is real with Smith and someone that could find an FCS chance before he signs.    - - -    This Mid-TN product may not be ranked the highest but Roseberry is one of my most liked secondary prospects from our senior class. A true gamer, ball player, leader, the Golden Bears safety plays an excellent brand of football that will work well on the college stage and be someone coaches love working with. Roseberry was already one of the smartest on the back end but his senior clips show improvement with his lower body quickness and overall physicality. The Golden Bears senior is a good athlete too that can give snaps at both safety positions, work the slot or provide strong play on special teams. His height may not be the best but I and college coaches should pass that because Roseberry is a baller!    - - - - -   Five Other Improved Def. Backs   - (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='866985' first='Kyle' last='Campbell'] - Germantown   - (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1177681' first='Andrew' last='Cross-Adams'] - Antioch,   - (CB/NB) [player_tooltip player_id='1198125' first='Steven' last='Famoyin'] - Science Hill,    - (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1071176' first='Isaiah' last='Williams'] - Brentwood Academy   - (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='976622' first='Josiah' last='Moore'] - Beech   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/cdarden.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1556694" style="width:357px;height:auto" /></figure>