PRZIA 2027 Rankings Update | Breaking Down DBs

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area.   The Class of 2027 rankings received a winter update this week, with our list of prospects nearly doubling. In the latest update, the rankings went from a top 15 to a new “Sophomore 75.”   Below is my DB breakdown of the cornerbacks and safeties that earned a spot in the rankings.   Check out the full 2027 list <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2027-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='1198829' first='Kason' last='Clayborne'] <a href="https://x.com/KasonClayborne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@KasonClayborne)</a>, S/LB - Sioux City East - 6'3" 210 lbs   Sioux City East's [player_tooltip player_id='1198829' first='Kason' last='Clayborne'] is a very interesting prospect who serves as one of the more versatile defenders in this class. Clayborne started at safety for the Black Raiders but possesses the athleticism to be used all across the defense. He has the strong, sturdy frame (6'3", 210 lbs) to be a box safety/OLB hybrid who can quickly break downhill to help defend against the run or flip his hips to drop into coverage. Kason also showed that he can play a nickel role who can line up across from receivers and use his agility to stick with them throughout their routes. Hard hitter... you don't want to be the target in his crosshairs. Clayborne recorded 40.5 tackles, two TFLs, a sack, 95 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown.    [player_tooltip player_id='1361135' first='Tyler' last='Nielsen'] <a href="https://x.com/NielsenJTyler" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@NielsenJTyler)</a>, S - Bettendorf - 6'2" 195 lbs   Bettendorf's [player_tooltip player_id='1361135' first='Tyler' last='Nielsen'] is why I'm glad we get to have events like the Stock Up showcase. After a great performance at the latest camp, I was further impressed with the tape Nielsen put together for his sophomore season, in which he tallied 31 tackles, a TFL, and two interceptions. Nielsen stood out immediately with a taller, lengthier frame you see in the modern safety, with room to continue adding size. One thing that goes under the radar about Tyler is his game speed and rangy coverage on the field. Nielsen does a good job getting depth when asked to cover the deep zones and has the closing speed to crash the line of scrimmage to defend the run. Tyler also showed that he could lull QBs to sleep before breaking on the ball, and he did so with perfect timing to snag the ball for an INT. Bulldogs are on the rise, and players like Tyler are the a big part of that!    [player_tooltip player_id='1532898' first='Maddox' last='Kelley'] <a href="https://x.com/MaddoxRKelley4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@MaddoxRKelley4)</a>, DB/WR - Solon - 5'10" 175 lbs   It was a big breakout season for Solon [player_tooltip player_id='1532898' first='Maddox' last='Kelley'], who emerged as one of the more dangerous two-way players in his class. Maddox was all over the field for the Spartans, recording 50 total tackles, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, 450 return yards, and a team-leading 675 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Maddox is a silky smooth athlete who is just as fluid in his backpedal and changing directions as he goes in and out of his breaks when routing up DBs on offense. One thing that I was impressed with was Kelley was how good his hands are. He does an excellent job getting his hands up to defend the ball and has the catching ability to go up and take any pass back the opposite way. Definitely a player to get on campus this offseason!    [player_tooltip player_id='1421462' first='Christopher' last='Lee'] <a href="https://x.com/chris5lee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@chris5lee)</a>, CB - Council Bluffs Lincoln - 6'0" 155 lbs   A newcomer to the rankings, Council Bluffs Lincoln's [player_tooltip player_id='1421462' first='Christopher' last='Lee'] was a nice surprise when doing this round of updates. Christopher popped on tape with his ball-hawking, lockdown ways as a starting cornerback for the Lynx. Lee ended his sophomore season with 11 tackles and four interceptions, with one of those going back for a touchdown. Lee plays with very loose hips that allow him to flip and change direction on a dime, also flashing a sharp break on the ball. Great coverage instincts and play recognition help him stay in the receiver's hip pocket throughout his routes, and he even had some reps where he looked like the receiver on the play. Christopher's ball skills were very impressive to watch on film, showing great hands and willingness to attack the ball in the air. Lee served as the backup QB last season, so we should expect to see more of him on the offensive side of the ball in 2025.    [player_tooltip player_id='1105157' first='Christopher' last='Ford'] <a href="https://x.com/CFORD_9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@CFORD_9)</a>, CB - Sioux City East - 5'10" 160 lbs   We have another member of the Black Raider secondary that we are very high on. Chris Ford continued to build on a promising frosh campaign with a sophomore season that solidified him as one of the top CBs in his class. Part of what's always stood out to me about Chris' game is the mean streak he brings to the field, which you really like to see out of your secondary. He isn't the biggest physically, but he plays a physical game, starting with his willingness to play press at the line of scrimmage and hand fighting at the catch point. Ford's quick twitch helped him change direction and stay on receivers going through their breaks. Chris posted an impressive 31 tackles and five interceptions (one pick-six), showing he is an impact player in the air or on the ground. A versatile athlete who averaged 25 yards per return, and is looking to make a bigger impact on offense next season.    [player_tooltip player_id='1198833' first='Bryce' last='Beachem'] <a href="https://x.com/BeachemBryce">(@BeachemBryce)</a>, CB - Johnston - 5'9" 170 lbs   Some hindsight after posting the rankings would say that I still underrated the two-way playmaking Johnston star, [player_tooltip player_id='1198833' first='Bryce' last='Beachem']. Bryce erupted onto the scene in 2024, where he ended up tied for first in interceptions among sophomores with six and returned three of the house, just to give you a glimpse at how dangerous it was to throw Beachem's way last season. Watching Bryce's tape, I was impressed with how well he plays in both zone and man coverage. In zone, Beachem flashed great zone discipline, ability to read QBs, good communication, and timing for attacking the ball. Bryce plays with an exceptional ability to change direction and stay with receivers as they go in and out of their breaks. Beachem will also likely see an increase in offensive touches next season with some upperclassmen graduating.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Make sure to follow @PRZ_OscarG for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.

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