Scouting Maryland’s 2026 Class: Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Maryland evaluates some of the defensive backs that are currently listed in our rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1313287"],"_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-67e1eacde03e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hicks is good at reading the quarterback's eyes and often breaks off his initial assignment to make plays. His highlights show that he's strong against the pass and run. HIcks has good closing speed and range. His physicality is a strength. Hicks is a solid open-field tackler, as his highlights show him forcing fumbles and making tackles behind the line of scrimmage. His football instincts impress me as he reacts quickly and makes smart decisions. He's another safety feature in this article is that it is effective against both the pass and run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091979"],"_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-67e1eacde043e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Byard shows his playmaking ability in his highlights, as evidenced by the multiple interceptions. He's very effective at disrupting routes and contesting passes. I am also impressed with his excellent high-pointing and ball-tracking skills. He's smart and aggressive, especially when contesting passes. Solid in press coverage, he keeps inside leverage and consistently jams receivers and states over the top of routes. Byard shows physicality in coverage. Solid in zone coverage as well, knows how to keep leverage downfield, and does a good job of keeping receivers in front of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1605864"],"_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-67e1eacde048f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Has a few impressive plays in his highlights, including an 80-plus-yard pick-six. Broke up a few passes in his highlights. Solid against the pass in zone coverage, he shows good awareness of routes. Thomas is very physical, fearless, and consistent in making tackles with solid form. I think he shows excellent play recognition against the run, as he's quick to react and fill gaps against the run. I think he's strong against the pass and run, but his best plays are run-support-related.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["711773"],"_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-67e1eacde04df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cleary ball skills are very effective, especially in zone coverage. His ability to anticipate routes lead to a few interceptions. Coverage-wise, he breaks on the ball effectively and is quick enough to disrupt quick passes from his position. He improved his tackling technique against the run as his highlights continued. Strong against the run and more than a solid contributor as a defender on special teams, with a few blocks to his credit on his highlights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1313432"],"_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-67e2017a887d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith's highlight film is strong, featuring multiple interceptions, which show him taking great angles to make the plays. He's very good at reading the quarterback's eyes and breaks on the ball well. I'm impressed with his off-man technique and zone coverage. Smith is physical against the run and not afraid to come up and make tackles. He has a strong football IQ and shows excellent awareness and route recognition. Smith's backpedal is smooth, and he transitions well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HIGHLIGHTS RANKING</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I decided to rank the highlights of the athletes featured in this article. Most of the ranking is based on the initial 5-8 plays in the highlights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='1313287' first='Eltonino' last='Hicks']</strong> - thought he was the best all-around performer, dominant in both pass and run defense. Can continue to improve his reaction speed in zone coverage. <br><br><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='1091979' first='Jayden' last='Byard'] </strong>- showcased the strong ball skills and coverage ability, making several outstanding plays. Can continue to improve on his solid tackling technique.<br><br><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1313432' first='Yaheem' last='Smith'] </strong>- is a versatile cornerback with great technique and awareness. I would like to see more film of him in press coverage. <br><br><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='1605864' first='Dkwan' last='Thomas'] </strong>- physical safety with strong tackling ability, effective against the run. Need to see more of him in deep pass coverage to assess his coverage skills. <br><br><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='711773' first='Dylan' last='Cleary'] </strong>- solid in run defense and special teams. Would like to see more film of him in deep pass coverage. With that being said, he's a solid in-the-box safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other articles to read</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/marylands-class-of-2027-in-depth-analysis-of-the-top-5/">Maryland's Class of 2027: In-Depth Analysis of the Top 5</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/evaluating-the-ranked-2026-md-linebackers-in-the-top-10/">Evaluating the ranked 2026 MD linebackers in the Top 10</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/wcac-ranked-as-a-top-10-toughest-high-school-football-leagues/">WCAC ranked as a Top 10 toughest high school football league</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/scouting-the-maryland-2027-class-running-backs/">&nbsp;Scouting the Maryland 2027 class: Running Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/scouting-marylands-2027-class-wide-receivers/">Scouting Maryland's 2027 class: Wide Receivers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/scouting-marylands-2026-class-defensive-backs/">Scouting Maryland's 2026 Class: Defensive Backs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->