2026 DBs with Potential for Increase in College Interest

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the step forward in offensive production, defensive back has become one of the harder positions to play in football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a certain type of player that succeeds there that has all the required athletic traits, length, IQ, and overall mentality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These four players in the 2026 class have the skillsets to see increased collegiate attention as they build on strong junior seasons and complete their senior seasons at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["328897"],"_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-68c8de45414dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='328897' first='Kolby' last='Barrett'] is a long, fluid safety that is currently committed to Mississippi State, but I could see some programs attempting to flip the prospect as he continues on his developmental arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After transferring in to play a prominent role for Baylor, he truly broke out last season, showing the ability to make plays on the ball in both the run and pass game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a natural mover that closes on ball carriers quickly against the run. In coverage, he is especially effective in zone, where he can put his foot in the ground and drive toward the intended target.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1181026"],"_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-68c8de454156e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1181026' first='Zaydyn' last='Anderson'] is already committed to Tennessee and is locked in with that decision, but I'm not sure the general consensus truly recognizes the potential he brings to the table as a prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He offers good to very good length for the cornerback position with excellent explosiveness and playmaking ability, which also makes him a dynamic receiver recruit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has a strong frame he can grow into at the next level to complement the explosive abilities he has to make a play on the ball and develop into a legitimate contributor for the Tennessee Volunteers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["540028"],"_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-68c8de45415e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='540028' first='Knight' last='Wilson'] is the definition of being a dependable safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He plays the high safety role very effectively, picking off overthrows and delivering hard hits on receivers when quarterbacks target the middle of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While some could argue his short arms could limit him, there are times in which you just take the baller.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is currently committed to Air Force, but don't be shocked if some more local Group of Five programs circle back to the prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1589509"],"_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-68c8de4541681"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1589509' first='A'Darien' last='Davis'] is arguably the most intriguing uncommitted prospect in the state for the 2026 cycle, especially after taking in a game of his on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has very good to elite length and that is evident when he makes plays on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being a longer safety, he is a fluid mover who can close on the ball quickly where he meets the ball carrier with violent tackling force. His length, athleticism, and closing speed allow for him to be effective in zone coverage from the back level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis is the lone uncommitted defensive back among this group and programs won't have to face the uphill battle of flipping someone, despite the senior safety possessing a very strong set of tools that should have mid major programs searching for targets that have flown under the radar excited.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->