<!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the 2027 season unfolds, the defensive back talent across Western PA is starting to show who's really separating themselves from the pack. The WPIAL is loaded at this spot, and these names are already proving to be difference-makers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["489184"],"_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-68cee9112e55d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When you talk about 2027 defensive backs, the first name out of anyone's mouth is going to be Jenkins. A four-star prospect and Penn State commit, Jenkins is already considered one of the top players in the country for his class. He plays with a polish well beyond his years with fluid hips, excellent balance, and top-tier footwork that allows him to mirror receivers with ease. Jenkins has natural instincts, attacks the football with confidence, and has shown the ability to thrive in press or off coverage. His recruiting profile is already stacked with Power Four offers, and while he's locked in with the Nittany Lions, expect the interest to continue pouring in. He has legitimate national talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["671843"],"_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-68cee9112e649"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Central Catholic has no shortage of star power on defense, but Gleason has been one of the biggest standouts in the secondary. He's one of the most technically sound corners in the class, calm in his pedal, sharp with his reads, and disciplined in how he positions himself against routes. Gleason thrives in zone coverage, reading quarterbacks' eyes and anticipating throws, but he's just as confident in man-to-man, where his speed and quickness allow him to run stride for stride. On a defense with multiple high-level recruits, Gleason's ability to lock down his side makes him a name you'll keep hearing about.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1623754"],"_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-68cee9112e70e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Few players in this class bring the type of versatility that Booker does. He can play on an island at corner, where he first stood out on the 7-on-7 circuit, but his natural instincts shine even brighter at safety. Booker is a physical presence who loves to trigger downhill and punish ball carriers. He's not just a hard hitter, he's also a sound tackler with the range to patrol the middle of the field and erase plays before they develop. His tape shows he can thrive in multiple roles, whether that's as a box defender or a single-high safety. His recent Florida State offer is proof that his talent is translating to the national stage, and his recruitment is only beginning to heat up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1623982' first='Tyler' last='Baleno'] – Plum</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1623982"],"_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-68cee9112e7d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Baleno is one of the more technically polished defensive backs in the class. His sophomore tape showed a smooth pedal, disciplined footwork, and length that makes life tough for receivers at the line of scrimmage. This season, he's added muscle to his frame and shown he can be impactful at multiple spots, including reps at safety early in the year. At corner, he mirrors routes well in man coverage and has the patience to stay in phase, while at safety he's flashed instincts in reading plays and reacting quickly.  Still waiting for his first offer, Baleno has competed well against top talent and held his own. He absolutely deserves to be in the conversation with the top tier defensive backs in the class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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-68cee9112e8b2"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["952748"],"_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-68cee9112e98b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard">Degree has been a steady name on the WPIAL scene since his freshman season, and he continues to be one of the more underappreciated players in the class. He fits perfectly in a nickel or outside linebacker hybrid role, where his toughness and instincts stand out. He plays physical at the line of scrimmage, sets the edge against the run, and has the athleticism to cover slot receivers or drop into space. That versatility makes him invaluable to his defense. In such a deep 2027 DB class, Degree might not always get the spotlight, but his consistent production and high motor make him a player colleges will want to track closely.</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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-68cee9112ea60"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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-68cee9112eb2b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->