2026 Rankings New Additions: Defensive Back Instant Analysis

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code <strong>PaulG30 </strong>at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1895479"],"_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-693ae91398dd3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hedgecoth had a breakout senior campaign for Mountain View and is one of the top defensive back prospects in the state of Idaho and still remains available. He is a fluid athlete that excels in man coverage, has quick hips in transition with natural ball skills and return abilities and is very technically sound at the corner position. In the run game, he shows he can trigger quickly and come up and make plays on the perimeter while a excellent open field tackler and can get off open field blocks and has a high football IQ leading to forced turnovers and baiting quarterbacks into poor throws. He still remains unsigned and his commitment will be one to watch as someone is going to get a late steal and nice immediate depth to their roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1646033"],"_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-693ae91398e4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis checks into our final rankings update for the 2026 class and is slated in as one of the top at his position. He is a very good two-way athlete for Hillcrest and has natural ball skills, short area twitch and body control in the open field and flashes he can create seperation downfield and make contested catches with ease. Defensively, he plays with disciplined eyes, breaks quickly to the ball and is a high IQ player both in the passing game and when coming down in run support on the perimeter. He is a no-brainer D3+ caliber prospect that has been flying under the radar to this point but should see his recruitment rise through his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1089050"],"_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-693ae91398e9a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Runquist has been playing all over the field during his prep career but has positioned himself more as a second level defender through his senior season ad should fit nicely as a inside or outside linebacker in college, depending on scheme and level. He is a very active defender that excels at tackling in open space, flashes closing speed, proper angles and packs a punch at the POA. He shows he can play outside on the perimeter or in-between the tackles and is a true 3 down banger that is always flying around and getting to the ball. Although a bit undersized for the linebacker position, he is very active and plays big in the box and is a tackling machine that will make a big impact at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1895489"],"_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-693af01020d01"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cagle can play any position at the second or third level and is a well put together safety/outside linebacker that is fluid in space, triggers quickly and can knife into the backfield from various angles to make plays behind the line. He is a seemingly high IQ player that can sniff out screens/draws and is always looking to force the ball out at the POA and is a high motor kid. He also shows good coverage abilities downfield with natural hips in transition, recovery speed if beat underneath and natural ball skills when making a play on the back end. He offers good position versatility at the next level depending on defensive scheme, and should be able to find a home late before his senior year comes to a close. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->