'27 Rankings Update | New DB Names to Watch

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area.   The Iowa 2027 rankings have been released, with a major overhaul that added over 150 new names to our rankings and watchlist. To cover the rankings update, I wanted to review some of the notable new names that stood out during the evaluation process. The first group I will review are the dynamic defensive backs.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    Bishop Heelan's [player_tooltip player_id='1906706' first='Grant' last='Whitcomb'] makes a strong debut on the rankings after a productive two-way season for the 3A runner-up squad. Whitcomb finished the season with 17 tackles and six interceptions (one pick-six) and was the team's leading receiver with 24 catches for 572 yards and five touchdowns. My takeaway from Grant's tape is that the guy is a flat-out playmaker. He's very smart in coverage, demonstrating he can read and react on the fly by picking up route concepts and anticipating when to jump routes. Grant was especially effective in zone coverage, where he kept his eyes on the play and did a great job of lurking and baiting QBs into bad throws, while having the top-tier closing speed to get to the ball right away. He is very smooth in transition with clean footwork, loose hips, and a shifty change of direction. One thing that stood out was his effectiveness at playing through the receiver's hands to force incompletions. Stock is soaring for Grant going into the offseason!      Iowa City's [player_tooltip player_id='1361350' first='Abdul' last='Hodge Jr'] has already started to catch collegiate attention, even earning his first D1 offer from South Dakota in the fall. Abdul recorded 32.5 tackles, two TFLs, and an interception. Watching Hodge's tape, it's clear he's a natural at the cornerback position with fluid mobility and good instincts in coverage. He plays with very loose hips, allowing him to drop and change direction on a dime while keeping up with receivers. Abdul does a great job using his length to get his hands up to defend passes or to pop balls out at the catch point. One aspect of Abdul's game that may go overlooked is his strength. In several plays, he did a great job jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage, which disrupted the timing of the play. With his first offer already under his belt, it's only a matter of time before more programs come knocking.      Clear Lake's [player_tooltip player_id='2088789' first='Isaac' last='Brownlee'] is another interesting athlete to keep an eye on this offseason. The Lions prospect had a strong junior season, recording 20 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and three interceptions (one pick-six). Brownlee possesses ideal size and length for the CB position, at 6'1" and 185 pounds with a reported 6'5" wingspan. When you cut on the tape, you see a smooth DB plays with a good feel for the game, showing he can stick to receivers in coverage and make plays at the catch point. His lengthy reach gives him an advantage when going up to break up passes in the air. Brownlee also did a good job beating blocks on the perimeter to step up and sniff out screens or shut down outside runs. Isaac could be the next great prospect coming out of the Lions program!      The Dowling Catholic Maroons fielded one of the top defenses in the state, featuring top-tier talent across the board, including breakout CB [player_tooltip player_id='1198837' first='Jeremiah' last='Roberson']. As a junior, Jeremiah recorded 27.5 tackles and four interceptions en route to helping Dowling capture the 5A championship. My biggest takeaway from watching Jeremiah's junior tape is his versatility in coverage. In man coverage, he is incredibly sticky with the quick twitch to stop/start and change direction on a dime. When in zone, Jeremiah does an excellent job analyzing the play and reading the QB, and he flashes excellent timing when he breaks on the ball. Another thing that stood out on tape is that Roberson plays with that edge that you love to see from cornerbacks, where he's willing to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point with the ball skills to end the play in either a PBU or an interception. Additionally, Jeremiah demonstrates quick closing speed, agility, and high football IQ. Buy stock now!      The North Polk Comets have a strong group of returning players in 2026, including junior [player_tooltip player_id='1760678' first='Brady' last='Cathcart'], who looks primed to build on a standout season. Brady had a highly productive season, racking up 41.5 tackles, three interceptions, 36 receptions, 453 receiving yards, and four touchdowns playing on both sides of the ball. I don't have a ton of defensive tape for Cathcart, but from what I've seen in some game clips, I was very impressed with his athleticism, displaying solid speed, change of direction, and ball skills at the catch point. Brady has a good frame to play CB at the next level, at 6'1" and 170 pounds with ideal length. Looking forward to seeing more of Brady this offseason.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Make sure to follow @PRZ_OscarG for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.

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