2027 Film Review: DB Breakout Candidates for 2025

<p>During the off-season, we have conducted an extensive film review of hundreds of prospects in the Natural State. This article will focus on potential breakout defensive back prospects in the class of 2027. Here are five defenders who I believe will demonstrate their skills in 2025:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1625063' first='Connor' last='Blankenship'] has experience as an off-ball corner but has the awareness to play the safety spot, potentially. Blankenship displays solid read and reaction skills, putting himself in a position to make a play on the ball. He plays with a sideline-to-sideline motor, using his effort to chase down ball carriers and cover the entire field. Keep an eye on him this summer. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi-Position Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/iamConnorBlank/status/1720998413066457499 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1568156' first='Jerrell' last='Ware'] is a breakout candidate for the upcoming 2025 season. He is an athletic defensive back with good hip fluidity and footwork in his backpedal. This allows him to transition smoothly and stay inside the hip pocket of receivers. Ware's fluidity, combined with good change of direction, balance, and burst, prevents receivers from creating separation during their breaks. Additionally, he has the skill to track the ball effectively and force PBUs. Add him to your recruiting board. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.7 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JerrellWare_/status/1859415234387349872 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1205934' first='Kyrin' last='Grimes'] recently completed a visit to Arkansas. He is an athletic defensive back with good footwork, hip fluidity, and body control. His strengths lie in zone coverage, where his fluidity, awareness, and ability to break on the football enable him to contest catches effectively. Grimes has been working hard this offseason, and I anticipate a significant breakout season for him in 2025.</p>   <p>Note - Multi-Position Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/offical_Kyrin/status/1913646178182348857 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1203067' first='Jayden' last='McKenzie'] is a lengthy defensive back with the athleticism to excel against both the run and the passing game. He can read the play and attack quickly downhill to defend against the run, using solid angles. McKenzie demonstrates solid read-and-react skills, staying close to his opposition throughout the route and playing through the rep to force PBUs. His change of direction ability and recovery speed are impressive. </p>   <p>Note - 3.1 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jayfrom_the870/status/1911152600923189443 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1620687' first='Bryson' last='Williams'] is another breakout candidate for the upcoming 2025 season. I expect him to take that next leap this summer and season. Williams can play both safety and off-ball corner. He's strong in zone coverage. He has good length, solid athletic ability, and a solid motor to chase down ball carriers effectively. Keep an eye on him throughout 2025. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.8 40</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BrysonWDB/status/1919082142778241204 </div></figure>

During the off-season, we have conducted an extensive film review of hundreds of prospects in the Natural State. This article will focus on potential breakout defensive back prospects in the class of 2027. Here are five defenders who I believe will demonstrate their skills in 2025: