Standout 2027 DBs: Region 7’s Top Playmakers This Season

Florida has long been a powerhouse for high school football talent, consistently producing some of the nation's top defensive back prospects. Known for their speed, agility, and pure athleticism, these players have made a name for themselves and drawn interest from college coaches and scouts.   Many of these athletes already hold offers, while others are still flying under the radar, but all have the ability to compete at the college level. This list includes highly rated standouts as well as underrated prospects who deserve more attention.   At Prep Redzone Florida, we're committed to promoting every player and helping them earn the opportunity to play at the next level.   1. Lucas Siharaj, Cornerback – Flagler Palm Coast High   Height/Weight: 5'8", 160 lbs   Stats Summary: 47 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 7 interceptions, 17 passes defensed   Evaluation: Siharaj is a scrappy, quick corner with the agility and burst to cover ground quickly. His compact frame allows him to change direction with ease, making him difficult to shake off for receivers. His 7 interceptions and 17 passes defensed highlight his excellent reaction time and ball skills, allowing him to make plays on the ball when it's in the air. His 47 tackles and 3 tackles for loss show a willingness to get involved in the run game, with solid lateral quickness to read plays. Siharaj's ability to stay low in his backpedal allows him to maintain speed while turning and running with receivers, and his field awareness helps him find opportunities to jump routes.   2. Kamari Smith, Cornerback – Haines City High   Height/Weight: 5'9", 155 lbs   Stats Summary: 25 tackles, 4 interceptions, 3 passes defensed   Evaluation: Smith is a high-energy, quick-footed corner with impressive acceleration and a knack for finding the ball. His agility allows him to mirror routes closely, giving receivers little room to separate. His 4 interceptions demonstrate excellent anticipation and timing, with the ability to track the quarterback's eyes and make aggressive plays on the ball. Despite being on the smaller side, his change of direction and footwork allow him to keep up with quick receivers and adjust to route changes seamlessly. His 25 tackles and 3 passes defensed show his versatility as a defender who can play physical when needed while staying disciplined in coverage.   3. [player_tooltip player_id='1671162' first='Sherrod' last='Gourdine'], Cornerback – Western High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 177 lbs   Stats Summary: 70 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 4 interceptions, 15 passes defensed, 2 fumble recoveries   Evaluation: Gourdine is an athletic and physical corner with elite lateral movement and the ability to cover multiple areas of the field. His 70 tackles and 4 tackles for loss show his strength and aggression when coming up in run support, with the speed to chase down plays outside the box. His 4 sacks demonstrate his ability to blitz with efficiency, timing his rushes and using his explosiveness to disrupt quarterbacks. In coverage, he has fluid movement in his backpedal and can break on the ball quickly, as evidenced by his 4 interceptions and 15 passes defensed. Gourdine's athleticism allows him to track and anticipate passes, while his physicality is noticeable both in coverage and when making tackles.   4. Chop Black, Strong Safety – Ridge Community High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 26 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery   Evaluation: Black is a versatile safety with a well-rounded skill set, combining good speed, agility, and tackling ability. He displays impressive burst when closing in on the ball, making him an asset against both the run and pass. His 26 tackles show he's a reliable tackler in space, and his 3 interceptions highlight his awareness and ability to cover ground quickly. Black's ability to read the quarterback's eyes and react swiftly allows him to jump routes, making him a dangerous playmaker. His agility and lateral quickness help him cover ground quickly, and he can move smoothly between zones. His fumble recovery shows his awareness in creating turnovers.   5. Nalin Rogers, Free Safety/Strong Safety – DeLand High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 160 lbs   Stats Summary: 58 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 5 passes defensed, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble   Evaluation: Rogers is a high-motor player with great acceleration and agility, allowing him to close on plays quickly. His 58 tackles demonstrate his toughness and ability to take on blockers when coming up to support the run. His ability to cover ground in deep coverage is showcased through his 3 interceptions and 5 passes defensed, displaying solid tracking ability and awareness. Rogers has the speed and footwork to cover quick receivers, and his ability to anticipate plays allows him to put himself in position to make key tackles or force turnovers. His forced fumble adds an extra layer to his physicality and playmaking ability.   6. Bryce Williams, Free Safety – Western High   Height/Weight: 6'2", 175 lbs   Stats Summary: 29 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 interceptions, 14 passes defensed   Evaluation: Williams is a tall, rangy safety with exceptional speed and closing ability. His size gives him an advantage when covering larger receivers, and his long stride allows him to cover ground quickly in deep coverage. His 3 interceptions and 14 passes defensed show his ability to read quarterbacks and break on the ball quickly. Williams is adept at tracking the ball in the air, utilizing his long arms to contest catches. His 29 tackles may not be huge, but his physicality in coverage and ability to read the quarterback's eyes make him a dangerous presence in the secondary.   7. [player_tooltip player_id='1671157' first='Jaylyn' last='Jones'], Free Safety/Cornerback – Western High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 177 lbs   Stats Summary: 82 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, 13 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble   Evaluation: Jones is an extremely athletic, dynamic defender who can make an impact both as a cornerback and safety. His 82 tackles and 6 tackles for loss show his tenacity and ability to contribute against the run, while his 3 sacks highlight his blitzing ability and quickness off the line of scrimmage. He's explosive and quick to react, with the ability to change direction seamlessly, as shown by his 3 interceptions and 13 passes defensed. His versatility and ability to play multiple positions make him an invaluable asset in any secondary, and his forced fumble adds a further dimension to his playmaking ability.   Defensive Backs Overview   This group of defensive backs boasts a mixture of size, speed, and agility. [player_tooltip player_id='1671162' first='Sherrod' last='Gourdine'] stands out with his combination of athleticism and physicality, excelling in both coverage and against the run. Lucas Siharaj's agility and quick reactions make him a standout ball hawk, while Kamari Smith's acceleration allows him to keep up with fast receivers. Chop Black's burst and playmaking ability make him a reliable safety, and Nalin Rogers offers versatility with his speed and tackling skills. Bryce Williams' ranginess and ability to cover ground make him a dangerous presence in deep coverage. [player_tooltip player_id='1671157' first='Jaylyn' last='Jones'] is perhaps the most athletic of the group, with his speed, versatility, and ability to contribute in various facets of the game. These defensive backs are all athletic and capable of making significant plays, whether it's disrupting the passing game or supporting the run defense.

Florida has long been a powerhouse for high school football talent, consistently producing some of the nation's top defensive back prospects. Known for their speed, agility, and pure athleticism, these players have made a name for themselves and drawn interest from college coaches and scouts.