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<p>We're winding down our coverage of the 2028 rankings update as we finish the defensive side of the ball with the defensive backs. We've already hit the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/2028-db-stock-risers/">DB stock-risers</a> for the 2028 class. Now we're looking at the next guys.</p>
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<p>We added five players directly to our rankings who were off of our radar just a few months ago. Whether by recent in-person evaluations, helpful coaches, or social media work, we've recently seen and evaluated these players, and found them talented enough to join the rankings. Here are our five 2028 DB new additions.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 DB New Additions</h2>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Burt earned an early offer from Maryland and that's indicative of his potential. He's nowhere near a finished product, but should have more opportunities this season after Clayton graduated several seniors from last year's team. He's long and physical, playing much bigger than his size and frame would suggest.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Barze had one of the best seasons of any freshman defensive backs in the Charlotte area last season, playing extensively and racking up over 50 tackles and an interception. He impressed Matt Morrow at the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/cfi-carolinas-mega-showcase-top-defensive-backs/">Gardner Webb Megacamp</a> and I listed him as a potential defender who could <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/5-defenders-who-could-rise-in-the-next-rankings-update/">rise in the next rankings update</a> in August. Barze has great upside and is a guy we're watching closely.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Covington hasn't done a ton on the field yet, but the early returns from college camps are promising. He ran a 4.5 at the Gardner Webb Megacamp and flashed good coverage skills as well. Richmond has historically produced talented defenders and we expect him to be coached well and used where he can be most effective as well.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Hammonds has very limited film, but we think he has the upside to be a top deep safety in the class. He has the frame to add more weight and he has excellent ball skills. He plays a bit of receiver as well, but his future is at safety, where he can read the quarterback and make plays on the ball. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Taylor plays a box safety role and is limited just a bit against the run by his current size. But, he has plenty of time to grow and he's already flashed excellent coverage skills. He's physical enough to match up with bigger tight ends and receivers and he has great instincts, two traits that give him solid upside.</p>
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We're winding down our coverage of the 2028 rankings update as we finish the defensive side of the ball with the defensive backs. We've already hit the DB stock-risers for the 2028 class. Now we're looking at the next guys.
HEIGHT
5'11"
WEIGHT
155
POS
DB
CLASS
2028
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HEIGHT
6'0"
WEIGHT
170
POS
DB
CLASS
2028
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HEIGHT
5'10"
WEIGHT
155
POS
DB
CLASS
2028
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HEIGHT
6'2"
WEIGHT
157
POS
DB
CLASS
2028
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HEIGHT
6'0"
WEIGHT
150
POS
DB
CLASS
2028
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