2026 Rankings: Deserving Defensive Backs

This shifty corner measured in at 5'10 162-pounds, Bell had 53 total tackles (25 solo, 28 assisted), 3 TFL, 2 INT, 6 PD, and 1 FR. Bell has very good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, speed, good change of direction, and jumping. He jams the receiver at the line of scrimmage, and uses his athletic ability to stay stride for stride with them. Very fluid hips. Bell has very good man coverage sticking like glue to the receiver. Good back pedal. He has very good closing quickness and good reactionary speed. One thing that stands out to me, is his balance between looking back at the QB and keeping track of the DB. Impressive. Keep an eye out for Bell this upcoming season.     Bishop measures in at 6'1 180-pounds. The safety accounted for 57 total tackles (39 solo, 18 assisted), 2 TFL, 2 INT, and 8 PD. Bishop has very good athletic ability due to very good speed, change of direction, good jumping, and acceleration. He's a versatile defensive back playing safety and got some snaps as a corner. Bishop uses his very good reactionary skills to lead him where to go. Bishop has very good zone and man coverage. He stays stride for stride with WR sticking like glue. One thing to note about Bishop is how he's very good at timing pass break ups. Very good tackler. He's strong and aggressive in run support. He's also gotten some time as a returner, using his very good COD to create dynamic juke moves making defenders miss. Top tier athlete in Colorado who deserves more love. Great technique.     Another versatile DB on this list, Tillman lines up as a deep safety or a cornerback. Measuring in at 6'2 160-pounds, Tillman is a lengthy DB. He had 40 total tackles (24 solo, 16 assisted), 3 INT, 14 PD, and 1 FF. Tillman has very good athletic ability due to very good jumping, acceleration, speed, and good change of direction. Tillman has very good ball reaction skills. He keeps trying to rip the ball out leading to a pass break up. Or he'll extend his body to get a PD. Very good ball tracking skills. He notices where the ball is at, and attacks leading to an interception. Tillman is a very good tackler. He wraps them up, and isn't afraid to hit. He has very good zone coverage, and good man coverage. Tillman's closing quickness is impeccable. If he is beat, he uses this ability to catch up and make a play. Fantastic DB who would be a playmaker at any level in college.     Newbill measures in at 6'3 165-pounds. Accounting for 48 total tackles (10 solo, 38 assisted), 2 INT, 4 PD, and 1 FF. Lining up as at both safety and corner. Newbill has good athletic ability due to very good jumping, acceleration, good speed and change of direction. He has very lengthy arms. Very good range. Newbill is good in zone coverage and man. He uses his fluid loose hips allowing him to turn easily and match the WR's movements. Good tackling. He'll play off the blocker in open field, pushing off and making the tackle. He's an exciting prospect that should have colleges doing their investigation.     Singleton's technique is impeccable. Measuring in at 6'0 160-pounds, the CB had 25 total tackles (18 solo, 7 assisted), 2 TFL, 4 INT, and 3 PD. He has very good athletic ability due to very good speed, acceleration, change of direction, and good jumping. In man coverage, he has a very good back pedal. He's sticky and stays stride for stride. Very good stop and go quickness. Singleton has very good reactionary skills. He diagnoses what's happening by watching the QB and WR, not getting a PI, then he attacks. Very good zone coverage skills. Good tackling, he wraps up and pulls down. Not afraid of contact. Very good ball tracking skills. He tipped a pass to himself for an interception. Singleton is an underrated prospect with great technique. Colleges need to look his way!