Film Room: 2026 Southern and Central Illinois Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the offseason we will be breaking down the film of all the top prospects from across the state ahead of our massive 2026 rankings update in the upcoming months!  Here is a look at some of the defensive backs in the 2026 class in <strong>Film Room: 2026 Southern and Central Illinois Defensive Backs!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1585119"],"_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-6806f0a31e230"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hankins is the premier corner in this class.  At 6'1" he has long arms and fluid hips.  Plus athlete with good speed.  His instincts is what separates him from the rest of the class.  He reeds the QB's eyes and has the ability to go off his primary coverage to where the ball is going to make impactful plays.  Such a quick switch on the backend. Makes game changing plays including pick 6s. Wraps up tackling in the run game.  Also plays wide receiver where he is a vertical threat that tracks it very well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1585178"],"_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-6806f0a31e287"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Green caught our attention throughout his junior season.  The 6'2" long and rangy defensive back is effective as both a free safety and press corner.  On the back end he goes after the ball in the air and has excellent instincts making plays.  Cuts in front of passes. Can also play as a press corner or slot corner showing quickness and quality footwork. Closes ground fast on short and intermediate routes getting his hands knocking down passes.  Solid tackler in run support and is a sound special teams player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1570745"],"_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-6806f0a31e2d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Liked what we saw out of Birmingham as a 5'11" corner that consistently makes plays on the ball with his length and instincts.  High points passes on the back end.  Technically sound player that can go off primary to make plays.  Ton of pass break ups on deep balls and intermediate routes.  Willing tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1601300"],"_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-6806f0a31e315"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Henley is a 5'10" corner that is technically sound. Quick change of direction.  Runs well downfield with man. Flies to the ball in the run game where he tends to tackle high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801705"],"_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-6806f0a31e359"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chestnut is a 5'8" 150 pound defender from Bloomington that plays linebacker at the high school level, but at his size projects better in the secondary.  Slot corner or even safety.  Solid in coverage with good instincts in the run game.  Tackles well in space and runs sideline to sideline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->