2027 Rankings – DB Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our latest ranking update for the <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2027-rankings/">state's 2027 class came out on Tuesday</a></strong>. The latest ranking update now features the top 100 players in the state's 2027 class. Every time we do a ranking update, we dive into prospect breakdowns following each release. In this breakdown, we're putting the spotlight on seven different defensive backs that have already grabbed our attention and show no signs of slowing down. This is quickly becoming one of the more elite and deep position groups in the state's 2027 class. From lockdown to corners to game-changing safeties, this group has a little bit of everything. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma for more 2027 breakdowns and our final ranking update, featuring the state's 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["478124"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dadd52b81d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jenks defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='478124' first='Semaj' last='Stanford'] has had an absolute stranglehold on the top overall spot in the state's 2027 class since we started ranking this group a little over a year ago. Stanford is not only the top DB but he's the top overall prospect and shows no signs of giving up that position anytime soon. First off, Stanford immediately fit right in as a freshman on the Jenks defense because of his advanced knowledge of the game. Fast forward to now and you have a prospect that still has that advanced knowledge but he also passes every eye test available for that position group. He looks like an elite prospect, moves like an elite prospect and has the IQ of an elite prospect. Put all of that together and it's clear that Stanford is the elite of the elite. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521089"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dadd52b823b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Owasso cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='521089' first='Bryson' last='Brown'] is a name that started emerging around this time last year. He started receiving legitimate D1 interest and that's never really slowed down. Brown had a solid sophomore season and we've gotten a chance to watch him go to work in person a handful of times this offseason. The first thing that stands out to us is his size. He looks significantly bigger than what we remember from a year ago. And at the cornerback position, he still has the speed to stay with any wide receiver he lines up across from. That combination of speed and overall size and strength make him a very intriguing prospect to watch. And because of that, it feels like Brown is receiving a D1 offer every other day this offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1030447"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dadd52b8282"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With Stanford at one safety and [player_tooltip player_id='1030447' first='Kailib' last='Dillard'] at the other safety position, the Jenks secondary might be as close to a "no fly zone" as you'll see in high school football this fall. Dillard emerged as a prospect to know during his freshman season at Lincoln Christian. He immediately caught our attention with his ability as a ball hawk. Last offseason, he moved over to Jenks and immediately became a name to know on the Jenks defense. But here's the thing with Dillard, he's a terrific athlete and he has the DNA to end up at the next level. So don't be surprised to see him moved around, similar to Stanford within the Jenks defense and even some on offense. Dillard's recruitment has really taken off and shows no signs of slowing down. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946188"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dadd52b82c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was around this time a year ago that we first watched Ardmore's [player_tooltip player_id='946188' first='Tyson' last='Laster'] go to work and it was in a 7v7 tournament. After talking with C4's Sean Cooper, who trains and coaches Laster in 7v7, we were sold on his potential as a prospect moving forward. Laster earned valuable starting time during his freshman season and he made the most of it. As a freshman, Laster was clearly one of the better athletes on the team and didn't have a specific position locked down. But as we looked at the full body of work, he's started to look more and more like a defensive back when it comes to the next level. Laster is another example of a prospect that we want to see more of moving forward, whether it's on film or in person. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["696152"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dadd52b82fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Rams have several pieces on the defensive side of the ball that we like moving forward and with Brown at the corner position, also keep an eye out for [player_tooltip player_id='696152' first='Cole' last='Campbell'] at the safety position. Campbell earned very valuable playing time during his freshman season and he's impressed us when we've gotten a chance to see him in person. But out of the guys on this breakdown, he still remains one of the unknowns in the state's 2027 class. Because the upside is clearly there but we also want to see more of him this spring and then later in the fall to have a more solid breakdown of him moving forward. But based on what he's already been able to accomplish at the varsity level, Campbell is clearly a name to know in this class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1184832"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dadd52b8337"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Rock Creek defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1184832' first='Tyson' last='Hawkins'] was on the shortlist of breakout stars in Class 3A during the 2024 season. When it came to North Rock Creek, a lot of attention went to Tyson's older brother Caleb, and rightfully so. But that didn't take away from the season that Tyson had and he's going to be a name to know moving forward. He got out to such a fast start during his sophomore season that teams started to avoid throwing his way throughout the 2024 season. Within the first several weeks, Hawkins was an absolute ball hawk and was among the state's best with interceptions. We're looking forward to seeing what he ends up doing for an encore this fall. He has a lot of momentum going right now and will look to build on it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1637574"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dadd52b8370"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It seems like Union has been one of the programs over the last decade that has consistently had a name or two in every class to know when it comes to the secondary. The 2027 class is no different, as the Redhawks have two guys in the top ten for this position as of right now. One was covered in <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/2027-rankings-highest-stock-risers/">an article last week</a></strong> and safety [player_tooltip player_id='1637574' first='Ian' last='Castellanos'] is the other name to know moving forward. We first got a chance to watch Castellanos during the Jenks match-up in the regular season. That immediately caught our attention and he ended up having a pretty strong sophomore season. Coming into the 2024 season, Castellanos was somewhat of an unknown but his performance in that game got him on the radar and his upside continues to get higher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->