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Future Standouts: 2027 Defensive Backs to Watch

Future Standouts: 2027 Defensive Backs to Watch
Some of the top statistical defensive backs this season.
Eric Bergman
Eric Bergman February 12, 2025 @ 08:56 PM
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Kyle Keyser
Kyle Keyser 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB | 2027
IL
Dontrell Young
Dontrell Young 6'0" | 160 lbs | DB | 2027
IL
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Nolan Vaughn","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"155","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Belvidere North High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67ad5f6ba312f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore cornerback <strong>Nolan Vaughn</strong> (6'0", 155 lbs) emerged as a playmaker last season, quickly making a name for himself. He excels at breaking on the ball with sharp instincts, allowing him to disrupt passing lanes. His ability to read quarterbacks and react quickly gives him an edge in coverage. Vaughn also showcases solid footwork and fluid hips, making him effective in both man and zone schemes. As he continues to develop, he has the potential to become a lockdown defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1120453"],"_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-67ad5f6ba31b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120453' first='Dontrell' last='Young']</strong> is a 6'0”, 160-pound sophomore safety with game-changing speed. He thrives in the secondary, playing a true center-field role and quickly closing passing windows. What sets Young apart is his elite speed, which allows him to cover ground effortlessly and make plays all over the field. A standout sprinter in track, his explosiveness translates seamlessly to the football field. With his natural athleticism and instincts, Young has the potential to be a major playmaker in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Connor Hites","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Ignatius College Prep","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67ad5f6ba3254"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Connor Hites</strong> is a big-time safety prospect with the tools to dominate at the next level. At 6'3" and 190 pounds, the St. Ignatius sophomore possesses elite size and speed for the position. His ability to come downhill and fill in run support is exceptional, making him a force in the box. In coverage, he showcases the range and instincts needed to shut down passing attacks. With his combination of athleticism and physicality, Hites is an all-around playmaker in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kyle Keyser","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Rita High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67ad5f6ba32f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Kyle Keyser</strong>, a 5'11, 170-pound safety from St. Rita High School, has a knack for making plays in the secondary. Known for his ball-hawking instincts, he consistently puts himself in position to disrupt opposing offenses. As a sophomore, he recorded 41 tackles and two interceptions, showcasing his ability to both support the run and defend the pass. His awareness and quick reaction time make him a valuable asset in coverage. With two more seasons ahead, Keyser is poised to develop into a premier defensive playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
Nolan Vaughn

Nolan Vaughn

HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 155
POS DB
CLASS 2027

Nolan Vaughn

School: Belvidere North High School
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Dontrell Young

Dontrell Young

IL
DB
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 160
POS DB
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Dontrell
Young DB
Class
2027
Height
6'0"
Weight
160
HS
Oswego
|
IL
Future Standouts: 2027 Defensive Backs to Watch
Dontrell Young is a 6’0”, 160-pound sophomore safety with game-changing speed. He thrives in the secondary, playing a...
Written by Eric Bergman
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Dontrell Young

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State: Illinois
School: Oswego
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Highlights

Connor Hites

Connor Hites

HEIGHT 6'3"
WEIGHT 190
POS DB
CLASS 2027

Connor Hites

School: St. Ignatius College Prep
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Kyle Keyser

Kyle Keyser

HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 170
POS DB
CLASS 2027

Kyle Keyser

School: St. Rita High School
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