2026 Class: Defensive Back Superlatives

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BEST ZONE CORNER</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["284065"],"_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-67c2670717c90"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='284065' first='Jordan' last='Thomas'] earns the Best Zone Corner superlative in the 2026 class. The 6'0”, 180-pound Bergen Catholic standout is arguably the best cover corner in the class, but his instincts in zone coverage set him apart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His tape shows a player who reads and reacts at a high level. Whether in off-coverage or bail technique, he consistently puts himself in a position to make plays. He's also one of the best-tackling corners in the class. He fights through blocks, closes on screen passes, and makes one-on-one tackles in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Prep Red Zone ranks him as the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 class, and his offers back that up. Michigan, Syracuse, Penn State, and Oregon are just a few of the top programs in pursuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18759638/67202fdc9541c14ea3558b8d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c2670717eb2"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BEST BALL SKILLS </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["973797"],"_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-67c2670717f1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='973797' first='Gyan' last='King'] takes home the Best Ball Skills superlative. The Cedar Creek cornerback has been a turnover machine throughout his career, consistently making plays on the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His ball production comes from a mix of high-level instincts and physical traits. His length and athleticism allow him to contest throws, while his eyes and awareness put him in the right spots. He also has solid makeup speed, which helps him recover and get his hands on passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His offensive experience only adds to his natural ability to track and attack the ball. That skill set has made him one of the most productive corners in the class. He holds offers from New Hampshire, Temple, and Akron.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18073451/672fbf669e15beea10b47415' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c2670717f52"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BEST TACKLER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933805"],"_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-67c2670717faa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='933805' first='Kenyon' last='McClain'] earns the Best Tackler superlative. The St. Joe's Regional defensive back has been a physical presence since his freshman season, consistently showing elite tackling ability at all field levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether he's fighting through blocks in the box, closing gaps in run support, or making one-on-one tackles in space, McClain gets the job done. His instincts shine when diagnosing screens, triggering downhill, and delivering clean, decisive stops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McClain is a high-level safety prospect and holds offers from Tenesee, Rutgers, and Penn State. Expect his stock to rise even further as his game continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23625691/6744bc904f16ef3c3c2abb39' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c2670717fdc"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOST VERSATILE </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1271466"],"_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-67c2670718033"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1271466' first='Amori' last='McNeil'] earns the Most Versatile Defensive Back superlative. At 6'1” and 175 pounds, the Hudson Catholic standout is the complete package. His athleticism is smooth, but his playstyle is anything but—he's a violent finisher who thrives in multiple roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNeil can drop into a deep safety look, using his instincts and tracking skills to make plays on the ball. But he's just as dangerous in the box, filling gaps, shedding blocks, and delivering physical tackles. His ability to blitz on third downs only adds to his value.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A top defensive back in this class, McNeil holds offers from Syracuse, Rutgers, Boston College, and Temple. Expect his stock to keep climbing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">End of season highlights and stats!!<br><br>93 tackles/10.3 Tackles A Game <br>6 pbu&#039;s<br>3 TFL&#039;S<br>1 interception<br>2 catches allowed<br>1 Fumble Recovery<br>20 Receptions 340 yards 3 touchdowns<br>36 carries 252 yards 3 touchdowns<a href="https://twitter.com/HCHawksFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HCHawksFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LamarMcKnight_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LamarMcKnight_</a> <a href="https://t.co/QZRQltHxk7">https://t.co/QZRQltHxk7</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1271466' first='Amori' last='McNeil'] (@AmoriMcNeil5) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmoriMcNeil5/status/1857892443699515586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BEST PLAYMAKER</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402202"],"_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-67c2670718094"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='402202' first='Cory' last='Davis'] earns the Best Playmaker superlative. The DePaul Catholic standout is a 6-foot, 160-pound defensive back who can play both corner and safety. But where he truly shines is in coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis has elite instincts and a natural feel for finding the football. He can lock down hash or patrol the post solo as a deep safety. At corner, he thrives in zone, reading plays and making timely breaks on the ball. His impact isn't just in coverage—he also makes clutch third-down tackles to get his defense off the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While he leans more toward coverage than run support, Davis could elevate his game by refining his slot coverage skills. If he does, he'll be one of the most complete cover players in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17822402/674f93929405b796319e046b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c26707180c5"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->