PRZ NC Combine Top Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p><strong>Prep Red Zone Combine Series – North Carolina</strong><br><strong>Defensive Backs Standouts | Evaluated by [Joshua Graham @Jgrecruiting]</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p>At the latest stop of the Prep Redzone Combine Series in North Carolina, I had the opportunity to evaluate the defensive players—and the defensive backs, in particular, caught my attention. Among a competitive group, six athletes clearly separated themselves with standout performances. This group includes one true safety and five cornerbacks, all of whom showed high-level traits, effort, and upside. Below are my top DB performers from the event:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='887866' first='Domonic' last='Williams Jr']. c/o 2028 Jacksonville High School</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["887866"],"_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-6819219ed1d09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='887866' first='Domonic' last='Williams Jr']. | Class of 2028 | Jacksonville | DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='887866' first='Domonic' last='Williams Jr']. emerged as the top overall defensive back at the camp—and he's only a freshman. At 5'11", 178 pounds, he already possesses the ideal size for a cornerback, along with long arms and excellent athletic traits. Williams is extremely polished for his age, showing the ability to play both off-man and press coverage with confidence. He moves with fluidity and discipline, and his 4.47 shuttle reflects his quickness and sharp footwork. Add in his coachability and natural instincts, and it's clear Williams Jr. is an elite prospect with a very bright future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caleb Sykes c/o 2028 Garner Magnet High School</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[2042368],"_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-6819219ed1d9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Caleb Sykes | Class of 2028 | Garner Magnet | DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caleb Sykes delivered the top overall performance in the 1-on-1 sessions, consistently staying in the hip pocket of every receiver he faced. His combination of speed and refined technique stood out, especially for a freshman. Sykes already displays elite route recognition skills, allowing him to anticipate and break on routes with confidence. With his instincts and advanced skill set at such an early stage, he's definitely a name to keep an eye on in the coming years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665149' first='Jah' last='Martin'] c/o 2026 AL Brown High School</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665149"],"_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-6819219ed1e0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665149' first='Jah' last='Martin'] | Class of 2026 | A.L. Brown High School | DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1665149' first='Jah' last='Martin'] showcased his natural feel for the position, looking like the most comfortable defensive back during individual skill work. He displayed excellent hands—rare for a DB—and fluid hips that allow him to transition smoothly in coverage. Martin competed at a high level in 1-on-1s, consistently challenging receivers. His film backs up what he showed at camp: the ability to shed blockers, and a strong understanding of both off-man and zone coverage concepts. Martin is a technically sound, instinctive defender with a lot of upside heading into the rest of the 2026 cycle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='793334' first='Courtland' last='Simmons'] c/o 2027 Weddington High School</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["793334"],"_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-6819219ed1e79"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='793334' first='Courtland' last='Simmons'] | Class of 2027 | Weddington High School | Safety</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='793334' first='Courtland' last='Simmons'] stood out as the only true safety at the camp—and he made the most of the spotlight. At 5'10", 177 pounds, Simmons has a solid, well-built frame and brings a physical presence to the field. He showed off his quickness with an impressive 4.43 shuttle time and displayed strong man-to-man coverage skills, a valuable trait for a safety. Simmons performed at a high level throughout drills, taking coaching points well and applying them immediately. His versatility and football IQ make him a high-upside prospect in the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1612399' first='Jahkese' last='Bodrick'] c/o 2028 American Leadership Academy High School</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1612399"],"_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-6819219ed1ee2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1612399' first='Jahkese' last='Bodrick'] | Class of 2028 | Clayton | DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1612399' first='Jahkese' last='Bodrick'] turned heads with his testing numbers, posting a 4.62 40-yard dash and a quick 4.4 shuttle time. As a freshman, he already plays with the confidence and aggression of a seasoned defender. Bodrick is extremely aggressive at the point of attack and brings a feisty, disruptive presence in coverage—making it tough for receivers to get separation. With his natural instincts and competitive edge, Bodrick is a name to watch closely in the coming years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenneth Dula c/o 2028 Jordan Matthews High School</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["935584"],"_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-6819219ed1f49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935584' first='Kenneth' last='Dula IV'] | Class of 2026 | Jordan Matthews | DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='935584' first='Kenneth' last='Dula IV'] has the ideal frame for a defensive back at 5'10", 160 pounds. Remarkably, he was just cleared to compete a day before the camp, yet he still performed at a high level throughout. Dula showcased his competitiveness by winning the majority of his 1-on-1 reps, consistently challenging receivers. He also flashed excellent tackling ability, demonstrating strong fundamentals and physicality. With continued development and consistent reps, Dula is a prospect to watch closely for the rest of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->