Senior Stock Risers: Central Texas Defensive Backs

From a Jim Thorpe Award winner to dynamic high school underclassmen, there is no shortage of talent and attention to the defensive back room in Central Texas. Around Austin and Waco, the focus is usually on big-name gunslinging QBs and other offensive skill players. However, there is no doubt that this football-rich region has also begun to make a name for itself with its secondary talent. Time to check in on some rising seniors with their eyes set on hardware and national recognition in 2025.    Riley recently flipped his commitment from Houston to Texas after picking up an offer from the coveted Longhorns this spring. While he put together an extremely productive junior year, Riley's recruitment and projection have gained significant momentum heading into the 2025 season. Yaheim lines up all over the field, flashing special traits as a man-up corner, nickel, and free safety. While Riley doesn't fill out the largest frame, he makes up for it with a high motor and scrappy play at the line of scrimmage. The versatile playmaker also displays unteachable instincts in the open field and elite ball skills to create turnovers. After 80 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 6 breakups in 2024, expect a massive senior year for Riley, thus building upon his 18 current offers.      With a great frame and instincts, Quiller is a great downhill safety who hits with power and precision. During his junior season, he provided immense value on both sides of the ball, accounting for 54 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 breakups, along with 320 yards receiving. Maddox flexes between the box and high for the Hawks' defense. While excelling in the run game and zone coverage, Quiller displays good footwork and physical hands that can be effective in man coverage. Expect Quiller to continue improving his speed and developing his route-shading ability, which should lead to a breakout senior season for the Texas Tech commit.      The star senior for the powerhouse Austin program has the traits of a space linebacker, with the range and ball skills that allow him to flourish as a high safety. Bennett has a nose for knocking the ball free, along with impressive lateral quickness. These abilities, along with his pro-level instincts, led to 87 tackles, 2 picks, 9 breakups, and 2 forced fumbles. Bennett gets downhill in a hurry and consistently breaks up deep balls over the middle of the field. As he continues to improve in man coverage, Bennett will be a stat sheet stuffer in 2025 and build upon his 10 current offers, which include Utah, Navy, and Air Force.      Another experienced DB from an Austin powerhouse, Michael is a slightly undersized corner with loose hips and great ball skills. With a great first step, Griffin excels at keeping receivers in front of him and has the twitch necessary to pick off or bat down balls. He also displays good footwork and little wasted movement, resulting in efficient tackling. Griffin possesses the ability to track balls like a receiver, which led to 2 interceptions and 5 breakups in 2024. Expect Griffin to continue to grow into his frame and develop his change of direction heading into his senior season. He currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky, Missouri State, and Colgate.      Logan was a ball hawk during his junior campaign, totaling 2 picks and 8 breakups. His instincts and ball skills help him consistently outbattle receivers down the sideline or over the middle of the field. Logan has also slowly put together a frame that looks already prepared for the next level. He excels at quickly reading routes in the flats and getting downhill to make the tackle at the line of scrimmage. With a high motor and the ball skills and instincts desired to be an impact corner, Logan will continue to develop his hips and footwork. With that being said, expect Brenden to become a straight-up island in 2025. His recruiting process has also heated up, with 6+ total offers including, Army, Navy, and Air Force.

From a Jim Thorpe Award winner to dynamic high school underclassmen, there is no shortage of talent and attention to the defensive back room in Central Texas. Around Austin and Waco, the focus is usually on big-name gunslinging QBs and other offensive skill players. However, there is no doubt that this football-rich region has also begun to make a name for itself with its secondary talent. Time to check in on some rising seniors with their eyes set on hardware and national recognition in 2025.