Senior Stock Risers (Defensive Backs)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The most talented position group within the TN2026 class got even better and deeper throughout the 2025 season. Several defensive back prospects stepped up and push their games to new levels. Here we breakdown ten guys that we feel stood out the most and will see a rise in our upcoming rankings. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1476160' first='Luke' last='Thompson'] - Franklin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- There is a reason why this Mid-Tennessee product signed with the University of Tennessee and it's due to his outstanding upside on the next level as an athletic, ball hawking safety. Thompson is one of the more athletic, explosive safety prospects we have from the TN2026 class that is still growing into his body, so the best football days are certainly ahead for this guy. Thompson gets from point “A” to point “B” very quickly. He is fast and rangy with strong ball skills and the look of a college centerfielder. More development and added strength, weight is needed for the potential is very high for Thompson. I would not be surprised to see this Williamson County native on the field sooner than later during his time at Tennessee.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1648108' first='Quintin' last='Cottrell'] - Whitehaven</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Ending his 2025 campaign at the East vs. West All-Star in Clarksville, Cottrell had an excellent senior season that showed vast improvement in several areas that will push his stock high into our upcoming defensive back rankings. The Tigers senior defender is an athletic, agile guy that shows quick feet and instincts towards finding the ball along with some tenacity that shows up in stopping the run. Cottrell displays abilities on film that speaks towards him playing cover corner on the college. That upside alone pushes his stock high but his versatility helps as well as this Memphis area prospect could develop at nickel or field safety too. It will be interesting to see where Cottrell lands because I see a lot of value with him due to his athletic upside and versatile skill set.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2083205,"width":"221px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/qcottrell.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2083205" style="width:221px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1285554' first='Carter' last='Boothe'] - Germantown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Going into the 2025 football year, Boothe sat within our senior “watch list” as I needed to see further development and he took that next step needed to push his ranking upwards into possibly a “Top 20” in-state defensive back. What stands out about the Red Devils defender is his agile, smooth lower base and feet that allows him to stay on path with the receiver and change directions with ease. Boothe is a bit undersized but he makes up for it with athleticism, speed and technique. He also shows willingness to work in run support. I like the potential here as a possible college cover corner during his time at UT-Martin. If that doesn't work out, Boothe could develop nicely at nickel or field safety along with value on special teams.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1660959' first='Terrence' last='Moses'] - Milan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Moses is one of my favorites coming out of the TN2026 defensive back recruiting class. This guy plays with an outstanding motor and a violence with his hitting that excites you when looking over his film. When he recognizes the play, Moses attacks without hesitation and more times than not, he lays people out. This is an athletic guy that runs well and closes fast. The Bulldogs senior does a lot of things right on the back end that speaks towards his upside in college. He is a run stopper that shows the range to make plays in pass coverage. I think UT-Martin got themselves a steal here with this West Tennessee safety and someone that could develop into a multi-year starter during his time with the Skyhawks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1103503' first='Gabriel' last='Lee'] - TCA&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Another one of my favorites from this year's senior class is this West Tennessee safety that I think has big potential with his best football days ahead of him. Lee is an outstanding athlete that can make some “wow” type plays from the secondary due to his ball hawk mentality and skill set. After watching tons of film, I am confident in saying that Lee may be one of the fastest safety prospects we have from the TN2026 class. The Lions senior is highly instinctive and once he diagnoses the play, Lee attacks without hesitation and he gets to the play quickly. He does need to continue packing on the weight but Lee has the frame for it. I don't know how things will play out with his recruitment but whoever lands this ball hawking safety will be getting a steal and potential All-Conference guy.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1991280,"width":"241px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/gabelee.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1991280" style="width:241px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1188597' first='George' last='Mancini'] - Knox. Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Missing out on his junior year due to injury, Mancini made up for it this Fall with a strong senior season that helped boost his recruiting stock as well as see his PRZTN ranking rise. The Fighting Irish safety brings a nice combination of athleticism, instincts and size to the back end that translates well to the next level but also room for further development. Mancini is a hard hitter with range that diagnoses the play then attacks without hesitation. He does good work against the run but also has the upside to work in pass coverage too. His game fits well in the boundary but Mancini has enough athleticism and intelligence to possibly work the field as well. This may be a prospect that shines in college due to limited high school action and the skill set that can be developed much further within a college system.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='2076753' first='Mike' last='Palmer'] - Green Hill&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- </strong>This past Fall season was a breakout show for this Mid-Tennessee product that displayed the ability and upside to play cover corner on the college level. Palmer is a bit undersized with the need to add in more weight but the raw, athletic tools are there for the Hawks senior to make an impact in the secondary and potentially on the outside. The first thing you notice on film about Palmer is his smooth movements and quick feet that allows him to stay on path with the receiver. The Hawks senior runs well while also showing loose hips. He also displays nice eye discipline along with a versatile skill set that could work at nickel or field safety. It may take a couple of years for Palmer to develop his body and overall game but I like the potential here for him to become a lockdown cover corner in college one day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- - - - -&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1142036' first='Tristan' last='Plumlee'] - Collierville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- If you want to know about a hidden gem and someone vastly under the radar, Plumlee could be the poster child for that within our in-state senior class. Ever since I started scouting this Memphis area defender when he was sophomore, Plumlee has steadily gotten better and better with this past season being his best yet. The Dragons senior is tall, long and fluid with an agile lower body and the foot speed to stay attached. Plumlee has played a lot at corner and I could see some team giving him a shot there but I feel his best upside resides at field safety. He has ball hawk written all over him due to his instincts, range and speed. More work in the weight room is needed for Plumlee but I really like the athletic tools here and his potential on the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2083214,"width":"234px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/tplumlee.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2083214" style="width:234px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1194077' first='Demontez' last='Anderson'] - East Nashville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Anderson is one of the more interesting cases from the senior defensive back class to scout on film. Standing 6 '3 185 pounds, Anderson is a big dude that has mainly handled cornerback during his time at East Nashville but his body and long term potential may reside best at safety. What is interesting though is the fact that his film does show the ability to play outside. He doesn't look overly speedy but his height and length along with his long strides allows him to stay on path with the receiver. If Anderson does want to play college cover corner, the Eagles senior does need to enhance his agility and speed moving forward to remain on the outside. Potential and value is there for Anderson as he might develop at cornerback down the road but at worst, transition into a box safety that works the middle of the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(S) [player_tooltip player_id='1704476' first='Andre' last='Small'] - Union City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming from a small town in the corner of West Tennessee, many won't know too much about this guy but turn on the film and you will see a hard hitter that finds the ball quickly. Small is an exciting guy to scout on film as he competes hard every play, showing strong instincts, range and violence. The Golden Tornadoes senior moves, runs well but also has the upside to increase his lower body explosion as well. I like him best at boundary safety where he can play in the box versus the run while also making quick plays on the intermediate passing game. I definitely think Small is under the radar and might have to start his college career on the lower level but he is legit and someone to watch for down the road in the transfer portal.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Def. Back Stock Risers: (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1669399' first='Jay' last='Little']</strong> - Ravenwood, (S) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1316604' first='Trent' last='Buchanan'] </strong>- Green Hill, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671833' first='Ryan' last='Muxlow'] </strong>- McCallie, (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1912259' first='James' last='Nelson'] </strong>- Ravenwood, (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1937550' first='Tayshawn' last='Jones'] </strong>- Marshall Co., (DB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675671' first='Josh' last='Hicks'] </strong>- Nolensville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2058780,"width":"255px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/demanderson.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2058780" style="width:255px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->