2026’s Up Next: Defensive Backs to Watch in 2025

<p>With national signing day approaching, all eyes will focus on the class of 2026. This evaluation will examine the top talents and under-the-radar prospects who can make a significant leap in 2025.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1307574' first='Braden' last='Simpson'] is a high-IQ prospect who rotates across the secondary, primarily dominating from the safety position. Simpson is a high-energy player with solid read-and-react skills, allowing him to position himself effectively to make plays in space. He takes solid angles and demonstrates impressive physicality at the point of attack, contributing to forced turnovers.</p>   <p>Note - 4.0 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BradenSimpson_8/status/1882606588449661427 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1614732' first='De'Sean' last='Adams'] is versatile and capable of playing boundary corner or single-high safety. From either position, he displays a sideline-to-sideline motor to chase down ball carriers. The prospect demonstrates solid reaction ability, enabling him to be at the catch point to force a pass breakup or make a tackle in space.</p>   <p>Note - 3.4 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LuhDaeDae22/status/1866888798077931661 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='825807' first='Clendell' last='Jones'] has the potential to take another leap in 2025. He displays good hip twitch flexibility to switch and run with the opposition in man coverage. He also has good read-and-react ability, staying inside the hip pocket off breaks and not allowing separation. Jones attacks downhill against the run with good angles and physicality at the point of attack. </p>   <p>Note - 3.7 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/clendell_jr/status/1862563316343898296 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='701205' first='Kaleb' last='Roach'] was one of the biggest risers in 2024 and is expected to follow that path in 2025. He is an athletic defensive back recognized for his exceptional ball-hawking skills. Roach demonstrates good footwork and fluidity in his backpedal, allowing him to transition quickly with good balance. He minimizes separation off breaks due to his good change of direction, balance, and burst. Furthermore, he possesses impressive recovery speed, which is complemented by his ability to read and react effectively in the secondary.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.8 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kalebroach2026/status/1855772799484170267 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1353087' first='Trevon' last='Stewart'] is a player to watch in 2025. Despite his size, he is legitimate and can win battles at any position in the secondary. He is an underrated defensive back who displays good footwork and fluidity in his transitions. Stewart doesn't allow any separation off breaks due to good COD, balance, and burst. He stays inside the hip pocket consistently, putting himself in position to make a play on the ball. Solid tackler in space with physicality at the POA. Zone or Man coverage, he will shut the opposition down. </p>   <p>Note - 3.2 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SteTrevon/status/1842961327029178820 </div></figure>

With national signing day approaching, all eyes will focus on the class of 2026. This evaluation will examine the top talents and under-the-radar prospects who can make a significant leap in 2025.