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Four for 4A: Top Returning 4A DB’s

Four for 4A: Top Returning 4A DB’s
annual subscription options***
Nick Rock
Nick Rock March 31, 2025 @ 11:57 PM
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In this article:

Jax Ashley
Jax Ashley DB | 2026
AZ
Jayvion Gilbert
Jayvion Gilbert 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB/LB | 2027
AZ
Brandon Hadnot
Brandon Hadnot 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB | 2027
AZ
Cooper Cronk
Cooper Cronk 6'2" | 205 lbs | WR | 2026
AZ
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take a look at the top 4 returning 4A DB's: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1603428"],"_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-67eb723c0e262"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gilbert is a versatile kid that can really line up anywhere on D and be that difference maker. He matches up well against TE's given his physicality, but can also match up on slots at the 4A level as he possesses the athleticism to either re-route opponents or turn and run downfield with them. Doesn't shy away from contact as he did an excellent job filling run and providing run support from SS, MLB, and OLB all year, while also flashing sideline to sideline range. It will be an interesting year for Gilbert to see if he blossoms more as a SS or an OLB, but I expect him to be the leader of that Sahuaro squad and put himself on the map this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1316194"],"_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-67eb723c0e304"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cronk was a ball hawk and game changer for that Lee Williams defense, picking off 8 balls this past season. He sizes up with a stout, strong frame and build at 6'2" 205lbs and possesses excellent strength at the point of contact and moves well within that frame. I was very impressed with his ability to disguise coverages and bait QB's into throws- to then showcases a nice burst on the ball to frequently pick off of break up passes. His IQ and athleticism at the 4A level is better than most- and combine that with his athleticism- you've got yourself a scary player in 4A. He can man up on Slots, TE's, and RB's, disguise and sit in various zone coverages, and fly up to fill run- making himself a polished DB that deserves some attention ASAP. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1603410"],"_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-67eb723c0e389"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hadnot is a speedy, rangy FS that excelled in the redzone by frequently picking off and breaking up passes in the back half. He patrols the back half and plays that centerfield type of position extremely well- frequently showcasing that top end speed. Good eye discipline with great route recognition to lock up receivers downfield and knows when to turn and look for ball. The definition of a ball hawk DB at the 4A level but also showed some glimpses of flying up and laying a big hit on opponents when he can get squared up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1682297' first='Jax' last='Ashley'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Arcadia ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67eb723c0e4bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ashley is a dynamic, well polished SS for arcadia that does a ton of those "little" things right, and is a textbook type of football player. He can sit in a cover 2 and take away the deep 1/2, but also shows a good break on the ball and strength at the point of contact to explode through opponents and jar the ball out. He did a good job punching through the hands of receivers on those thrown 3-ball type of throws he faced. Ashley's versatility and physicality provides him with a huge upside moving forward, as he can also roll up on the edges on certain blitz schemes with good snap timing and quickness off the edge, or even line up in the box and fill run if needed. Expecting a big senior season from a sleeper DB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

Take a look at the top 4 returning 4A DB's:

Jayvion Gilbert

Jayvion Gilbert

AZ
DB/LB
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 175
POS DB/LB
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Jayvion
Gilbert DB/LB
Class
2027
Height
6'0"
Weight
175
HS
Sahuaro
|
AZ
Four for 4A: Top Returning 4A DB’s
Gilbert is a versatile kid that can really line up anywhere on D and be that difference maker....
Written by Nick Rock
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Jayvion Gilbert

Instagram Twitter
State: Arizona
School: Sahuaro
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Cooper Cronk

Cooper Cronk

AZ
WR
HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 205
POS WR
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Cooper
Cronk WR
Class
2026
Height
6'2"
Weight
205
HS
Lee Williams
|
AZ
Four for 4A: Top Returning 4A DB’s
Cronk was a ball hawk and game changer for that Lee Williams defense, picking off 8 balls this...
Written by Nick Rock
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Cooper Cronk

State: Arizona
School: Lee Williams
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Brandon Hadnot

Brandon Hadnot

AZ
DB
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 170
POS DB
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Brandon
Hadnot DB
Class
2027
Height
6'0"
Weight
170
HS
Sierra Linda
|
AZ
Four for 4A: Top Returning 4A DB’s
Hadnot is a speedy, rangy FS that excelled in the redzone by frequently picking off and breaking up...
Written by Nick Rock
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Brandon Hadnot

State: Arizona
School: Sierra Linda
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

<span class="pn-tooltip pn-player-link">
        <span class="name-pointer">Four for 4A: Top Returning 4A DB’s</span>
        <span class="info-box not-prose" style="background: linear-gradient(to bottom, rgba(193,25,32, 0.95) 0%,rgba(193,25,32, 1) 100%)">
            <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/four-for-4a-top-returning-4a-dbs/" class="link-wrap">
                                    <span class="player-img"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-25-at-17-15-13-2025-and-2026-Tight-Ends-to-Watch-in-the-Fall-Prep-Redzone-crop-649x426-1722361948-crop-641x421-1724162185-crop-627x412-1725467656-crop-623x410-1731337268-crop-615x404-1731454534.png?w=150&h=150&crop=1" alt="Four for 4A: Top Returning 4A DB’s"></span>
                
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                    <span class="first-name">Four</span>
                    <span class="last-name">for 4A: Top Returning 4A DB’s</span>
                    <span class="measurables">
                                            </span>
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                <span class="player-rank">
                                                        </span>
                                    <span class="state-abbr"></span>
                            </a>

            
        </span>
    </span>

Jax Ashley Jax Ashley DB Arcadia | 2026 AZ

HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 170
POS DB
CLASS 2026

Jax Ashley Jax Ashley DB Arcadia | 2026 AZ

School: Arcadia
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