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2026 Risers: Defensive Backs

2026 Risers: Defensive Backs
Matt Tate
Matt Tate August 16, 2025 @ 01:44 PM
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In this article:

Robert Wittke
Robert Wittke 6'1" | 165 lbs | DB/WR | 2026
CO
Jayce Newbill
Jayce Newbill 6'3" | 165 lbs | DB | 2026
CO
Jake Kim
Jake Kim 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB | 2026
CO
John Singleton Jr
John Singleton Jr 6'0" | 160 lbs | DB | 2026
CO
Jaiden Nichols
Jaiden Nichols 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB/LB | 2026
CO
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212247"],"_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-68a0d1a7b8465"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nichols has himself a productive season last year. The 5'11 160 pound DB had 44 total tackles (27 solo, 17 assisted), 1 INT, 10 PD,  and 1 FR. Nichols has good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, good speed, change of direction, and jumping, Nichols is physical at the line of scrimmage and disrupts the WR's routes. Good back pedal. He has good man coverage skills. He sticks to the WR like glue, not letting up. He has good closing quickness as well. If he gets beat, he gains his speed and makes the play. He has very good ball tracking skills, and will use his lengthy arms and very good timing to swat the balls away. Good read and reactionary speed. I'm very excited to see how Nichols does over the course of his season year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297807"],"_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-68a0d1a7b84c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Newbill has very good size for a corner back measuring in at 6'3 165 pounds. Last season, he accounted for 48 total tackles (10 solo, 38 assisted), 2 INT, 4 PD and 1 FF. Newbill is a versatile defensive back, alternating from corner back and safety. He has good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, jumping, good speed, and change of direction. He jams WR at the line of scrimmage and shows off his physicality. Very good closing quickness. Good back pedal. In man coverage, he sticks to the WR and creates pass deflections. Good in zone coverage with his very good reactionary speed. Newbill impressed me in the run game with his tackling ability. He has good tackling out in the open field, and you can trust him on an island. Keep an eye on him going into this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["547627"],"_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-68a0d1a7b850e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Singleton JR prides himself on his technique. Measuring in at 6'0 160 pounds, he had 25 total tackles (18 solo, 7 assisted), 2 TFL, 4 INT, and 3 PD. Singleton has very good athletic ability due to very good speed, acceleration, change of direction, and good jumping. Very good at the line of scrimmage in off coverage and press jam. He has a very good back pedal and very good in man coverage. Singleton Jr. has very good timing with swatting the balls away. Very good read and reaction skills. He trusts what he sees and attacks. He's a good tackler and is good in run support. He has very good ball tracking skills and catching skills. He's a beast and deserves more looks his way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["778376"],"_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-68a0d1a7b8558"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kim has some great traits at the cornerback position. Measures in at 5'11 175 pound. He has very good athletic ability due to elite acceleration, very good speed, good jumping, and change of direction. At the line of scrimmage, Kim succeeds in pressing the WR and jamming them up. He has a very good back pedal, and maintains very good body control. He has very good man coverage skills. He sticks to the WR like glue, and stays stride for stride with them. In zone, he has very good reactionary speed and is a zone hawk. Very good closing quickness. Kim will also rip the ball away from the WR or swat at it to create fumbles. Kim is good in the run game, as a good tackler as well. He doesn't stop until the play is finished giving him very good competitive toughness. I'm ecstatic to see how he does next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1551924"],"_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-68a0d1a7b85a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wittke is looking to have another breakout season. Last season the 6'0 160 pound safety/wide receiver had 39 total tackles (19 solo, 20 assisted), 4 TFL, 9 INT, 5 PD, and 3 pick sixes, with 16 carries for 169 yards, 2 touchdowns, 26 receptions, 478 yards, 9 touchdowns. He's a dual position stud. He has very good athletic ability due to very good speed, acceleration, change of direction and good jumping. The safety ranges from the deep zone to giving very good run support. He has very good strength and lays the boom on ball carriers. Very good in zone coverage and good in man. Very good ball tracking skills and very good catching. He's a ball hawk with his home run speed to take it home. Colleges need to look his way because he has all the traits needed to succeed at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
Jaiden Nichols

Jaiden Nichols

CO
DB/LB
HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 160
POS DB/LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Jaiden
Nichols DB/LB
Class
2026
Height
5'11"
Weight
160
HS
Arvada West
|
CO
2026 Risers: Defensive Backs
Nichols has himself a productive season last year. The 5’11 160 pound DB had 44 total tackles (27...
Written by Matt Tate
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Jaiden Nichols

Instagram Twitter
State: Colorado
School: Arvada West
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Jayce Newbill

Jayce Newbill

CO
DB
HEIGHT 6'3"
WEIGHT 165
POS DB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Jayce
Newbill DB
Class
2026
Height
6'3"
Weight
165
HS
Berthoud
|
CO
2026 Risers: Defensive Backs
Newbill has very good size for a corner back measuring in at 6’3 165 pounds. Last season, he...
Written by Matt Tate
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Jayce Newbill

Twitter
State: Colorado
School: Berthoud
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

John Singleton Jr

John Singleton Jr

CO
DB
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 160
POS DB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
John
Singleton Jr DB
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
Weight
160
HS
Broomfield
|
CO
2026 Risers: Defensive Backs
Singleton JR prides himself on his technique. Measuring in at 6’0 160 pounds, he had 25 total tackles...
Written by Matt Tate
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

John Singleton Jr

Instagram Twitter
State: Colorado
School: Broomfield
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Jake Kim

Jake Kim

CO
DB
HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 175
POS DB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Jake
Kim DB
Class
2026
Height
5'11"
Weight
175
HS
Cherry Creek
|
CO
2026 Risers: Defensive Backs
Kim has some great traits at the cornerback position. Measures in at 5’11 175 pound. He has very...
Written by Matt Tate
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Jake Kim

Twitter
State: Colorado
School: Cherry Creek
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Robert Wittke

Robert Wittke

CO
DB/WR
HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 165
POS DB/WR
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Robert
Wittke DB/WR
Class
2026
Height
6'1"
Weight
165
HS
Denver West
|
CO
2026 Risers: Defensive Backs
Wittke is looking to have another breakout season. Last season the 6’0 160 pound safety/wide receiver had 39...
Written by Matt Tate
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Robert Wittke

Twitter
State: Colorado
School: Denver West
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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Rankings

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