Q1 Rankings Update: 2027 DBs

North Carolina's 2027 class has the potential to be special. In the Fall, sophomores all over the state not only played, but played well. Accordingly, we added more players to this class in a single update than we've ever added before. This week we're highlighting the new additions to the rankings, guys who are just starting their high school varsity careers, but have already caught our eyes. Here, we're breaking down the new 2027 defensive backs.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 New Additions: DBs</h2>    Geathers comes from a family full of football players and he has that natural defensive I.Q. He's an excellent athlete who could play different positions in college depending on how he grows over the next few years. As it stands now, he's an active defensive back who flies around the field and makes huge plays for Providence Day.     Randle has a football pedigree as his brother plays in the NFL, but he's making a name for himself after a huge sophomore year. He's active and typically around the ball, with multiple fumble recoveries and interceptions. His length and athleticism are going to draw the attention of FBS schools and as he continues to refine his technique, he could become an elite prospect.     Williams is a cross between an enforcer and a ballhawk on the back end for Millbrook and he both delivered the boom and flipped the field for his team as a sophomore. With 70 tackles and four interceptions, Williams had a huge impact as a younger prospect on one of the best teams in the state. His elite size will turn heads at the college level.     Powell has truly elite size and as a multi-sport athlete has the athleticism to succeed at multiple positions. I think I like him best as a freakishly long and athletic safety, but he could continue to develop as a receiver. He'll likely continue to play on both sides of the ball. His length allowed him to pick off four passes last season.     Bedford doesn't have the elite size of some of the other safeties in the class of 2027, but he was extremely opportunistic and isn't afraid to stick his head down in the running game. Bedford got better as the season progressed and looks like a guy who could continue to ascend our list.     Bailey is an incredibly lengthy and athletic safety-linebacker tweener who is just coming into his own as a football player. He's a sure tackler with the athletic profile to add ball production as an upperclassmen. As he continues to improve, his ceiling is high and he could be a guy who flies up the rankings.     Smoot is long and solid in coverage, as evidenced by his six interceptions as a sophomore. I'm looking for him to add a bit of weight this offseason and become a bit more physical in the running game. When he does, he's a candidate to fly up the rankings, because his coverage skills are so good.     Brown's size profile doesn't suggest he's a ball-hawking safety, but he's fantastic with the ball in the air. He can jump out of the stadium and he's not a guy who simply sits back and hopes quarterbacks make mistakes. Instead, he reads the quarterback's eyes and breaks on the ball. I love watching him play.     Canady doesn't have a ton of experience but on film he looks like he could develop into a true Division I prospect. He has excellent ball skills and looks solid in zone coverage in both cover 3 and cover 2. He doesn't have much film against the run but as he gets older, he could fly up our rankings.     Rumph has been playing at a high level for a long time and he's excellent against the run from his safety position. He's a guy we think could move up the rankings as he continues to get stronger and more versatile because he does the little things well.     Davis plays like he's 6'2", 215, not 5'9", 165. The pads pop when Davis is in the game and he's at his best when he's coming up to stop the run or deliver big hits on receivers. He made 41 tackles and forced several fumbles. He's growing in coverage and I'm excited to see how he develops this offseason.     Smarra is fearless in both coverage and against the run, willing to be physical with much bigger opponents. He's a sure tackler who makes quick breaks on the ball when it's in the air or when running backs break to the outside. I'm intrigued to see how he grows technically as a corner this offseason.     Stewart's stats are pedestrian and his film is excellent, but boring at times. Why? Because Stewart absolutely locked down opposing receivers and he wasn't tested all that often. While probably frustrating for him, it was more frustrating for opposing offenses that simply couldn't throw the ball his direction.

North Carolina's 2027 class has the potential to be special. In the Fall, sophomores all over the state not only played, but played well. Accordingly, we added more players to this class in a single update than we've ever added before. This week we're highlighting the new additions to the rankings, guys who are just starting their high school varsity careers, but have already caught our eyes. Here, we're breaking down the new 2027 defensive backs.