The Box Showcase Standout Defenders

The Box Showcase brought out some of the top defensive prospects in the Houston Region, and several athletes stood out with strong performances in coverage, one-on-ones, and drill work. Here's a look at the defensive names who made their mark:    A versatile defensive back who can line up at corner or safety, Richardson comes in at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds with a long, athletic frame. He plays physical at the line, shows smooth hips and good feet, and uses his length well in tight coverage. He was named DB MVP runner-up and solidified his status as one of the top DBs in the 2026 class coming out of the Houston area.     Stinson is one of the top young prospects in Texas. Technically sound and smooth in his backpedal, he showed excellent feet and hips while winning multiple reps against tight ends. A high-upside talent with natural cover ability, Stinson continues to separate himself in the 2028 class.     Okpala looked the part of a national recruit. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he's agile with natural instincts and sideline-to-sideline speed. He excelled in coverage, winning several 1-on-1 reps against running backs. He uses his length effectively and plays under control. Okpala holds 31 offers, including Texas, SMU, TCU, Houston, and Oklahoma.     Clawson has a long frame, good speed, and quickness off the edge. He has the versatility to line up at OLB or inside LB and attack offenses. He moved well in positional drills and showed fluidity and strength in coverage. He recently visited Texas A&M and holds offers from Abilene Christian and San Diego State. A name to watch in the 2027 class.     Kelly impressed with his active hands, clean footwork, and sound mechanics. He's stout at the point of attack, flips his hips well, and stays attached through routes. Kelly holds offers from Texas State, Arizona State, UTSA, Akron, San Diego State, and Oregon State.     A hybrid edge/linebacker, Jones showed the ability to rush off the edge or drop into space. He competed well in coverage and held his own against running backs in 1-on-1s. His length and athleticism give him intriguing versatility.     Jones is long and rangy with a lean build and great lateral quickness. He was consistent in pass coverage and showed the ability to close windows quickly, tallying several PBUs. His frame, movement skills, and instincts give him a high ceiling.     Graham has a long, athletic 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame with room to grow. He was fluid in drill work and showed good burst and pursuit in reps against backs. His movement and upside stood out. Graham currently holds an offers from Jackson State and Tennessee State.     Becks plays with tenacity and physicality. He has quick feet, loose hips, and uses his length to disrupt routes downfield. He was sticky in coverage and came away with multiple PBUs during the showcase.     Smith moves fluidly and tracks the ball with patience and precision. He showed solid footwork and tackled under control during drill work. On film, he plays fast and physical, able to line up inside or out. He's visited TCU, Rice, and Baylor, and his stock is trending up.

The Box Showcase brought out some of the top defensive prospects in the Houston Region, and several athletes stood out with strong performances in coverage, one-on-ones, and drill work. Here's a look at the defensive names who made their mark: