Standout 2027 DBs: Region 4’s Top Playmakers This Season

Florida has long been a hotbed for high school football talent, annually producing some of the nation's top defensive backs prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism; these running backs have made names for themselves and caught the attention of college coaches and scouts.   These players are talented and have college-level ability. Some have a few offers, but all have the ability to play college football at some level.   There are some big-time, highly rated prospects and several sleeperprospects who should all be getting looks at the next level. This list is full of stud prospects.   Prep Redzone Florida will always promote every player, hoping they get the opportunity to play college football at the next     1. Davion Crumite, Free Safety – Wakulla High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 15 tackles, 4 interceptions   Evaluation: Crumite is a rangy free safety with impressive ball-hawking skills, evidenced by his 4 interceptions. Though his tackle numbers are lower, he makes up for it with his ability to read quarterbacks and position himself for takeaways. His quickness and instincts allow him to cover a lot of ground, making him a reliable last line of defense in the secondary.   2. Jalen Webley, Free Safety – Jensen Beach High   Height/Weight: 5'9", 160 lbs   Stats Summary: 29 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, 14 passes defensed   Evaluation: Webley is a highly active safety who impacts the game in multiple ways. His 4 interceptions and 14 passes defensed show his effectiveness in coverage, while his 4 tackles for loss and sack highlight his willingness to play downhill and disrupt plays in the backfield. Though he's slightly undersized, he makes up for it with great instincts, quick reactions, and a physical style of play.   3. Aaron Shackleton, Free Safety – Dr. Joaquin Garcia High   Height/Weight: 6'1", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 23 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 interceptions   Evaluation: Shackleton brings good length at 6'1”, which helps him cover ground efficiently in the secondary. His 3 interceptions prove his ability to track the ball well, and he plays with discipline in coverage. He's a reliable tackler, and his ability to diagnose plays allows him to put himself in position to make key stops.   4. Antwon Brown, Free Safety – Fivay High   Height/Weight: 6'0", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 34 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles   Evaluation: Brown is a physical presence in the secondary, showing his ability to create turnovers with 2 forced fumbles and 3 interceptions. His 34 tackles indicate that he's not afraid to come downhill and deliver hits. His combination of speed, physicality, ball skills, and size make him a versatile defensive back with playmaking ability.   5. [player_tooltip player_id='1870830' first='Clarence' last='Walker'], Cornerback – Fivay High   Height/Weight: N/A   Stats Summary: 33 tackles, 5 passes defensed, 3 interceptions   Evaluation: Walker is a disruptive cornerback who consistently makes plays on the ball. His 5 passes defensed and 3 interceptions highlight his ability to stick with receivers and make quarterbacks think twice before throwing his way. He's also a willing tackler, recording 33 stops, showing his all-around game.   6. Philip Cushingberry, Cornerback – St. Petersburg High   Height/Weight: 5'8", 160 lbs   Stats Summary: 22 tackles, 3 interceptions, 5 passes defensed   Evaluation: Cushingberry may not have elite size, but his coverage ability and ball skills make him a standout. He plays with great anticipation, breaking on passes quickly, as shown by his 3 interceptions and 5 passes defensed. He's a scrappy corner who competes on every snap, making life difficult for receivers.   7. Mikeise Battle, Cornerback – Clay High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 155 lbs   Stats Summary: 22 tackles, 3 interceptions, 10 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble   Evaluation: Battle is a true shutdown corner with exceptional coverage skills. His 10 passes defensed and 3 interceptions show his ability to mirror receivers and challenge throws. He also plays with toughness, forcing a fumble and making 22 tackles despite his lighter frame. His quickness and ball-tracking ability make him a problem for opposing quarterbacks.   8. [player_tooltip player_id='895258' first='Kenton' last='Dopson III'], Cornerback – Norland High   Height/Weight: 6'0", 185 lbs   Stats Summary: 16 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 16 passes defensed   Evaluation: Dopson has an ideal build for a corner at 6'0”, 185 lbs, using his size and length to shut down passing lanes. His 16 passes defensed and 3 interceptions prove his effectiveness as a lockdown defender. He's also capable of blitzing and making plays in the backfield, as seen with his sack. His combination of physicality, ball skills, and awareness makes him a high-upside defensive back.   9. Jacari Watson, Cornerback – Archbishop McCarthy High   Height/Weight: 5'9", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 39 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 1 blocked field goal   Evaluation: Watson is a well-rounded corner who plays with great effort and physicality. His 39 tackles and 3 tackles for loss show his willingness to mix it up against the run, while his 3 interceptions highlight his ability to make plays in coverage. His blocked field goal adds to his value as a special teams contributor.   Region 4 Defensive Backs Overview   This group features a mix of aggressive safeties and lockdown corners who bring strong ball skills and physicality to the field. Jalen Webley and [player_tooltip player_id='895258' first='Kenton' last='Dopson III'] stand out for their ability to break up passes at a high rate, while Antwon Brown and Mikeise Battle bring a playmaking edge with their forced turnovers. Davion Crumite and Aaron Shackleton showcase strong instincts in coverage, while [player_tooltip player_id='1870830' first='Clarence' last='Walker'] and Philip Cushingberry provide scrappy, disruptive play at cornerback. Overall, this is a talented collection of defensive backs who can change games with their ability to force turnovers and shut down passing attacks.

Florida has long been a hotbed for high school football talent, annually producing some of the nation's top defensive backs prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism; these running backs have made names for themselves and caught the attention of college coaches and scouts.