PRZIA ’27 Rankings Update Position Breakdown: DB

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2027 is officially on the board, and we are here to help put these prospects on your radar with the latest 2027 Class Rankings update! The PRZ Iowa crew hopped into the film room and evaluated hundreds of prospects to bring you our overhauled 2027 rankings, now featuring over 100 ranked players and 200+ watchlist prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To cover these new rankings, we are conducting our breakdowns as we examine some of the top prospects in each positional group. Last, but certainly not least, I am now reviewing the defensive back group. This is another position that has already put up great production in their young prep careers. The top-ranked DB, Sioux City East's [player_tooltip player_id='1198829' first='Kason' last='Clayborne'], is a versatile chess piece player who has already received a trio of D1 offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1198829"],"_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-686d59ff95a48"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/KasonClayborne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@KasonClayborne)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sioux City East's [player_tooltip player_id='1198829' first='Kason' last='Clayborne'] is one of the more interesting prospects in the 2027 cycle, with a skillset that could see him playing at several spots on defense. Kason posted solid production as a sophomore with 40 tackles, two TFLs, a sack, and a defensive touchdown. I can see Kason projecting well to play in an outside linebacker or box safety type of role where he can use his strong 6'3", 210-pound frame to provide an extra body in run support. Kason's biggest asset is his versatility, which enables him to do everything from rushing the edge and stopping the run to dropping back and playing in space. He shows the ability to break down blocks at the line of scrimmage and on the perimeter so that he can spill into the backfield to pursue the ball carrier. Kason's range was also impressive to watch, showing that he can make plays even when coming from the backside of the play. Intense motor and physical at the point of contact. Kason has already earned an impressive list of offers, coming from North Dakota State, South Dakota State, and Sacramento State. Won't be long before more big-time programs come knocking for Kason!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19342604/6717c7c4f974b52b0a3354e6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686dd50281fad"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1452144"],"_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-686d59ff95aeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/chulu_levi2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@chulu_levi2)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Urbandale's [player_tooltip player_id='1452144' first='Levi' last='Chulu'] is another big-framed safety with a huge nose for the football. The J-Hawks' safety recorded 48.5 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception as a sophomore. Levi emerged as one of the best coverage DBs in this class, excelling as a "centerfield" safety who can sit deep in coverage and read offenses before using his top-tier closing speed to make a play on the ball. He displays sharp instincts and eyes that react quickly to the QB, with a great first step when breaking on the ball. Chulu flashes great range with the ability to get depth in coverage as well as flow from sideline to sideline. Good length and size at 6'1" and 195 pounds. Several programs have started keeping tabs on the Urbandale prospect, and it won't be long before some offers start hitting the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19669044/6733cd2d4907b00f8224630f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686dd50282012"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361135"],"_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-686d59ff95b6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/NielsenJTyler">(@NielsenJTyler)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bettendorf has quite the 2027 class brewing, with several breakout players emerging as budding stars, including [player_tooltip player_id='1361135' first='Tyler' last='Nielsen']. Tyler was able to post 31 tackles, two interceptions, a TFL, and a forced fumble as he patrolled the deep field at safety. Nielsen looks solid as a well-rounded safety who can flip his hips and drop into coverage or step into the box to help in run support. He has a solid frame at 6'1" and 195 pounds, which allows him to deliver powerful tackles with the leg drive to knock ball carriers back at the point of contact. Nielsen flashes good range, showing he can move north-south and laterally very well. Keep an eye out for this up-and-comer!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19864078/6761d4475d62d1b766a2097a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686dd50282067"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1105157"],"_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-686d59ff95be8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/Eddie_Kennedy08" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://x.com/CFORD_9">(@CFORD_9)</a></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sioux City East secondary should be in good shape with lockdown CB Chris Ford back in the fold. Ford showed flashes of his upside as a freshman and grew on that as a sophomore with 31 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, five interceptions (one TD), and two forced fumbles. When watching Chris' tape, the biggest takeaway is his ball-hawking ability and elite ball skills. Ford is disciplined with his eyes as he tracks the receiver's hips and can time his hands well to break up passes (7 PBUs). He has an aggressive mindset when attacking the ball and possesses great instincts when undercutting routes to be in the prime spot for a pick. Chris does well in all coverage assignments and looks especially comfortable out on an island by himself. He is very fluid with his hips and can smoothly change direction and stick with a receiver through their breaks. College coaches should buy stock immediately!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19131917/6738dc9d2c21fb2e41665827' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686dd502839e5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1657829"],"_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-686d59ff95c6e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://x.com/JosiahsSpates" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@JosiahsSpates)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although injury limited Waterloo East's [player_tooltip player_id='1657829' first='Josiahs' last='Spates'] to only two games as a sophomore, he has wasted no time getting back after it since being cleared after an impressive PRZ showcase performance this spring. Spates had some great reps in the individual drills and during 1v1s, showing his willingness to be physical with receivers, both at the line and at the catch point. Spates is very smart and effective with his hand usage, showing great timing at putting them up to swat away passes. Josiahs also flashed fluid hips when changing direction to stay locked in with his assigned receiver. Looking forward to seeing a healthy Spates take the field for the Trojans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19601489/67322aaf2d1f23f3e9fd03c1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686dd50283a25"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow&nbsp;<em>@PRZ_OscarG</em>&nbsp;for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->