Central Texas Islands: Junior Defensive Backs Balling Out

<p>After an action-packed two and a half months of Central Texas high school football, one regular season game remains as teams play and prepare for the playoffs. With air attacks and skill players often creating the headlines out of the region, there has been electric defensive back play on the other side this season. From Waco to San Antonio and everywhere in between, here are five Class of 2027 DBs who have stood out this season.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">The definition of lockdown corner, McCreary has legitimately not allowed a reception all season. In man coverage, opposing teams don't often throw to Mikhail's side of the Jaguar defense, but when they do, he is almost always running receivers' routes for them. He demonstrates precise and smooth footwork, flashing the ability to back pedal and flip his hips at the top of a route. McCreary also possesses the 4.5 speed to run with anyone. The Jags love to use their star DB in the return game as well, with Mikhail just recently returning a kick for 6. While nearly never tested this season, he does have a few PBUs on the season along with several TFLs. With the Jags sitting at (9-0) heading into the playoffs, beware of throwing into the Oklahoma commit's island.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Ayden is a tackle machine at the S/NB position who also thrives at locking down in zone coverage. With his versatile skillset, strong frame, instincts, and field vision, the Raiders flex AOB from the box to the deep part of the field. Ayden's best play is around and behind the line of scrimmage, flashing the ability to break into running lanes and shut them down before they can start. He also showcases great anticipation, timing, and ball skills, often disrupting passes over the middle of the field. Ayden has totaled 75 tackles, 7 TFLs, a pick and several PBUs in an incredibly productive season. Watch for him as he helps the Raiders attempt to get back to .500 to close the regular season this week.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">A ballhawk of a corner, Roberts boasts great length and ball skills, serving as a two-way star, constantly taking trips to the endzone and the turnover collum. Today highlighting his talent as a defensive back, Rye gets shifted all over the secondary showcasing great sideline to sideline speed, ability to flip his hips, track the football and highpoint it for an INT. His length allows him to breakup passes over the middle and even recover when (rarely) beaten down the sideline. This season, Roberts has been a turnover machine with 8 interceptions and a forced fumble, along with 46 tackles. A true all-around phenom, Rye has helped lead the Wildcats to an 8-1 record and he will look to continue being the most valuable two-sided piece throughout the playoffs.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLU1ucOFhpM </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">While he doesn't boast the largest frame in the state, Rice plays with physicality and incredible athleticism. He excels at keeping his eyes on the quarterback and timing passes with leaping extended arms and leaping grabs. Markiez demonstrates great technique at the corner position, with fluid footwork and excellent body balance control. His instincts, field awareness, and ball skills allow him to thrive in zone coverage, and he also flashes strong ability in man to man. He has been extremely effective for the Hurricanes defense this season, totaling 35 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 8 pass breakups. Watch out for game changing plays from Markiez in the playoffs, as he looks to continue boosting his recruitment status.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MarkiezRice/status/1982518468659515706 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">A versatile defensive back who gets flexed around anywhere from the line of scrimmage to centerfield, Ghee is a downright playmaker in a loaded Knights defense. He showcases awesome ball skills, excelling at high-pointing and intercepting passes over the middle of the field. Jayden thrives at backpedaling and flipping his hips in a timely manner to make plays in coverage. He is also a very technical and dynamic tackler in the run and screen games, firing out of a cannon and launching himself from efficient angles. With 35 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 4 interceptions (including a pick-6), Ghee has truly broken out this season. As the Knights prepare for a deep playoff run, watch for Jayden's recruitment stock to skyrocket.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JaydenGhee/status/1985396400390082891 </div></figure>

After an action-packed two and a half months of Central Texas high school football, one regular season game remains as teams play and prepare for the playoffs. With air attacks and skill players often creating the headlines out of the region, there has been electric defensive back play on the other side this season. From Waco to San Antonio and everywhere in between, here are five Class of 2027 DBs who have stood out this season.