PRZTN Winter Showcase: Top Defensive Backs

Prep Redzone Tennessee held its annual Winter Showcase this past Sunday, where a lot of good in-state talent competed against each other.   Shayne Pickering and I have dissected our top overall performers over the last two days, but I'll be doing that specifically for the defensive backs.   The majority of this group consists of rising seniors, but it also includes two underclassmen. I decided to roll with five, so let's jump right into scouting the best defensive backs from Sunday.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-04-2026-4-37-38-PM-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1767637932.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2099449" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: USJ DB [player_tooltip player_id='1687518' first='Bradley' last='Stamper'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1687518' first='Bradley' last='Stamper'] – University School of Jackson   I said it in my previous article, and I'll repeat it: [player_tooltip player_id='1687518' first='Bradley' last='Stamper'] was arguably the No. 1 defensive back at Sunday's showcase. He's been on my radar for a minute, but his performance during drills and 1v1s cemented him as one of my top in-state players for the 2027 class.   He offers an outstanding frame at 6-foot-4 and 182 pounds with excellent fluidity and the versatility to play anywhere on the gridiron. I view him as a safety at the next level, but he's been one of the more productive cornerbacks in Tennessee over the past two seasons.   Stamper has a knack for finding the football on interceptions or pass deflections, a skill that has been enhanced by his experience playing wide receiver. Seeing time on the other side of the ball has equipped him with excellent ball skills, making him a top-tier high school defensive back.   The rising senior must improve in certain areas, but has become an excellent player who should gain more college interest heading into his final season at USJ.   Combine Numbers   40-Yard Dash: 4.68 Seconds   Pro Shuttle: 4.56 Seconds   L-Drill: 7.25 Seconds   Broad Jump: 8 FT 4 IN   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-04-2026-5-17-06-PM-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1767638474.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2099461" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Gallatin ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1187596' first='Christian' last='Gentry'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1187596' first='Christian' last='Gentry'] – Gallatin High School   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1187596' first='Christian' last='Gentry'] from Gallatin is someone who caught my eye on Sunday. I entered the camp without knowing his name, but I walked away impressed with his performance.   He certainly has some areas for improvement, but his competitive nature and raw athletic ability are two qualities that stood out to me.   Regardless of who he was facing in 1v1s, he was competitive because of his athleticism, which is a great sign. You can teach technique, but you can't just gain God given abilities.   Gentry's technique isn't bad, either; he's just a young player who needs the necessary development. He will get that and blossom into a good player through his final two seasons of high school ball.   His ball skills and physicality were also impressive. Once Gentry puts it all together, he will be a productive defensive back for Gallatin.   Combine Numbers   40-Yard Dash: 5.06 Seconds   Pro Shuttle: 4.73 Seconds   L-Drill: 7.31 Seconds   Broad Jump: 9 FT 3 IN   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-04-2026-4-43-17-PM-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1767638563.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2099463" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Blackman DB [player_tooltip player_id='1925934' first='Tristan' last='Thornton'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1925934' first='Tristan' last='Thornton'] – Blackman High School   Watching [player_tooltip player_id='1925934' first='Tristan' last='Thornton'] on Sunday gave me a lot of clarity about the kind of player that he is. I've seen good things on tape, but I wanted to evaluate him in person. Well, he exceeded my expectations.   He's a compact defensive back, standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 175 pounds, with impressive ball skills and sound technique. Thornton won seven of his nine 1v1 matchups. Blackman is known for developing quality DBs, and the rising senior fits that perfectly.   Thornton plays excellent coverage and follows wide receivers closely throughout their routes, essentially playing lockdown defense.   Combine Numbers   40-Yard Dash: 4.76 Seconds   Pro Shuttle: 4.54 Seconds   L-Drill: 7.41 Seconds   Broad Jump: 8 FT 5 IN   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/Photo-Jan-04-2026-5-13-11-PM-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1767638783.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2099467" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Mt. Vernon (Illinois) DB Josh Crowder at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   2027 Josh Crowder – Mt. Vernon High School (Illinois)   Rising senior Josh Crowder from Mt. Vernon High School in Illinois had a fantastic camp on Sunday, being the only player who challenged Stamper as the top defensive back. He went into the event as an unknown player, but garnered praise from every coach and scout.   Crowder has a solid frame at 6-foot and 170 pounds with excellent athleticism and coverage skills. He was a blanket to every single receiver or tight end that he faced, not even giving them a chance to catch a pass.   The fact that he has no offers as of now is ridiculous. He is one of the more underrated defensive backs I've seen recently and will be a steal for any college that gives him an opportunity.   Combine Numbers   40-Yard Dash: 4.56 Seconds   Pro Shuttle: 4.60 Seconds   L-Drill: 7.25 Seconds   Broad Jump: 8 FT 2 IN   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/braycolbert.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1879190" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BGA DB [player_tooltip player_id='2086906' first='Brayden' last='Colbert'].</figcaption></figure>   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2086906' first='Brayden' last='Colbert'] – Battle Ground Academy   Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='2086906' first='Brayden' last='Colbert'] is one of the more intriguing prospects in the state of Tennessee.   He hasn't played a ton at BGA due to the abundance of talent, but looked good at the showcase and should have an increased role on Bobby Bentley's 2026 squad.   Colbert is a smaller defensive back, standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 150 pounds, but possesses a long frame that allows him to add weight. He faced a couple of quality receivers during 1v1s and held his own, winning multiple reps.   The 2028 recruit must develop in certain areas, but is a talented young buck with the potential to be one of the top contributors for an elite BGA program.   Combine Numbers   40-Yard Dash: 4.52 Seconds   Pro Shuttle: 4.83 Seconds   L-Drill: 8.15 Seconds   Broad Jump: 9 FT 8 IN

Prep Redzone Tennessee held its annual Winter Showcase this past Sunday, where a lot of good in-state talent competed against each other.