STOCK RISERS: Top 2025 Defensive Backs See Big Rankings Boost

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These playmaking defensive backs saw their ranking rise in the final 2025 Prep Redzone rankings...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2025","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2495","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2435","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d95761484f5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["340536"],"_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-67d9576149e2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the very best overall prospects in Georgia, this current Florida Gator can do everything you need from a playmaking safety. He brings good size, great instincts, terrific ball skills, and natural athleticism. He moved up to the No. 7 overall prospect in the state and the No. 1 DB after a big senior season where he made a giant impact as an imposing safety and productive wide receiver. He had 2,556 career receiving yards and 30 touchdowns along with 152 career tackles and nine INTs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["869036"],"_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-67d9576149e98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An outstanding natural athlete and one of the fastest prospects in the state at 6-foot-0 185-pounds, Harris is one of the highest-ranked Georgia Tech signees of all time and it's easy to see why. The Cedartown superstar is now ranked as the No. 2 DB and the No. 9 overall prospect in Georgia for the 2025 class. Harris rushed for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior last fall while making 70 tackles on defense. He made 175 career tackles with six TFLs, two INTs and five forced fumbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1299066"],"_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-67d9576149ee8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A two-way athlete who really shined last year in the secondary, Penson lit up the state sheet as a playmaking wide receiver on offense, but his potential at cornerback is easy to see. He can lock down receivers on the outside, runs well down the field, has strong ball skills, and knows how to deliver a big hit on the ball-carrier. He's a natural in coverage and now ranked as the No. 3 DB prospect and the No. 30 overall prospect in the 2025 class. Look for this Georgia Tech signee to possibly see the field early for the Yellow Jackets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1195857"],"_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-67d9576149f34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A do-it-all athlete for the Cedartown Bulldogs, Gardner brings outstanding speed and natural playmaking ability no matter where he's lined up. He's one of the top wide receivers in the area but also showed the ability to be a turnover machine in the secondary. Over his career, Gardner made 95 tackles and an eye-opening 12 INTs with 16 more pass-breakups. The Kentucky Wildcats signee saw his ranking increase in the latest update, now coming in as the No. 11 DB prospect and the No. 63 overall prospect in the state for the final 2025 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1293878"],"_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-67d9576149f83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top overall prospects in Middle Georgia, this Warner Robins native was a go-to playmaker both on offense and defense throughout his high school career. He's dangerous with the football, but his length, speed, and ability to make a strong, secure tackle makes him a promising cornerback at the next level. He plays hard, wraps up properly, and can really take off down the field. Now, this Rutgers signee has seen a rankings boost in the final update. He's now ranked as the No. 12 DB prospect and the No. 72 overall prospect in Georgia for the 2025 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1573168"],"_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-67d9576149fcc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A tough, hard-hitting safety who can also make plays on special teams in the return game, Okonkwo is a Georgia Bulldog signee who flipped from Northern Illinois after a last-minute push from the mighty in-state program. He runs well for his size at 6-foot-1 190-pounds and knows how to lower his should to deliver a big hit on the ball-carrier. He competes hard, shows strong instincts against the run, and can make a play on the ball in coverage. He got a major boost in the final rankings, now ranked as the No. 18 DB and the No. 100 overall prospect in the state for the 2025 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->