STOCK RISERS: Impressive DBs Earn Big Rankings Boost

<!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_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-67e57b736d080"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These 2026 defensive backs saw a BIG boost in the latest 2026 rankings...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1201822"],"_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-67e57b736e8d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Now ranked as the No. 1 DB in the state for the 2026 class, Smith is a ball-hawking safety from Middle Georgia with terrific instincts in coverage, a lengthy frame, and the ability to wrap up and make a secure tackle on the ball-carrier. He has a nose for the football and consistently finds himself around the play. He's a big-time prospect who checks just about every box you look for in a playmaking safety. He made a big jump in the rankings after a big 2024 season where he made 85 tackles, two INTs and seven more pass-breakups. He's now ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1323216"],"_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-67e57b736e934"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top overall DB prospects in Atlanta, Favors has outstanding ball skills and has been terrific during the 7-on-7 circuit this winter. He closes a lot of ground in the secondary, shows natural instincts, and turns into a receiver when the ball is in the air. This Boise State commitment saw a big boost in his ranking after strong 2024 season where he made 29 tackles and six INTs. He was one of the more productive DBs across the state last year in the 2026 class and is now ranked as the No. 5 DB and the No. 35 overall prospect in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1576072"],"_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-67e57b736e97b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A sure-tacking cornerback who is also dependable in coverage, Dyer is a physical defensive back with lengthy frame who is currently committed to South Carolina. A natural athlete who excels in coverage, Dyer also showed he's a tough, hard-hitting defender with an all-around skill-set. He made an impressive 70 tackles last fall as a junior with one INT, 12 pass deflections and two forced fumbles. He's one of the top DB prospects across the South and now ranked as the No. 4 DB and the No. 25 overall prospect in the state</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1201786"],"_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-67e57b736e9fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A do-it-all prospect in Atlanta who shined last season on both sides of the ball. Stewart saw his recruitment take off this winter after a giant season at receiver and in the secondary on defense. He athletic, sure-handed defensive back showed that he's a willing tackler as he made 80 tackles and four TFLs. He also picked off two passes in coverage while breaking up eight more passes and blocking one field goal. He's bound for another massive season in 2025 and is now ranked as the No. 8 DB and the No. 42 overall prospect in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1597816"],"_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-67e57b736ea43"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A breakout defensive back pospect out of Cobb County, not only was Forney Jr. a recent addition to the latest 2026 rankings, but he made a big jump all the way to the No. 43 spot in the state. He's also now ranked as the No. 9 DB prospect in the state after a strong junior season where he was a dependable defender in the secondary for a loaded Kell Longhorn defense. He brings a promising frame, he can wrap up ball-carrier, and can consistently held his own in coverage. He saw his recruitment take off this winter and could see more offers come his way this spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1598182"],"_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-67e57b736ea83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Cobb County defensive back who saw his recruitment take off this spring, Jones is a well-out together defender at 6-foot-1 185-pounds who made a lot of plays for an extremely talented Sprayberry team. A strong run defender, Jones made 42 tackles as a junior last fall and had a team-leading four INTs in coverage. He holds some major Power Four offers now and saw his Prep Redzone ranking rise in a big way. This Marietta native is now ranked a</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->