Prep Redzone New England Camp: Defensive Back Notebook, Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As customary with my event coverage, I feverishly write as many notes as I can, as quickly as I can, in order to report on as many prospects as I can. In this feature from Prep Redzone New England's Stock Up Showcase, I share my positional notes for the group aforementioned in this article's title. More coverage on different groups will be forthcoming in the days to follow, so be sure to check back later!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Back Notebook</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although he did not measure height and weight at the event, one of the more physically impressive defensive backs in attendance was [player_tooltip player_id='1218442' first='Josiah' last='Mitchell']. Built like a bulldog, Mitchell showed speed (4.60 forty), quickness (4.10 shuttle) and explosion (9'1" broad jump). His stocky frame was wound up with tons of potential energy he could not wait to convert to kinetic. During indy, and before I got the combine data two days later, I remarked how big and explosive he was. In perhaps the most impressive play on the evening, Mitchell was pressing at the line, jammed his matchup, and totally tossed him out the club. It was so violent and so in control that Mitchell walked him into the quarterbacks who were taking a knee waiting for their reps, forcing them to scatter like roaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you consider solely combine numbers, there might have not been a more athletic defensive back than [player_tooltip player_id='889345' first='Anthony' last='Whaley']. Whaley ranked amongst the best in each of the four combine scores tested this evening (4.54 forty, 4.39 shuttle, 9'5" broad jump, 7.21 shuttle). This athleticism surely makes him a raw prospect when tremendous upside. His performance, however, indicated that there is room to continue to grow. I thought that Whaley did not cover a lot of ground when moving laterally, almost standing still. Additionally, when competing he must remember to get his head around to play the ball when defending.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another blazer out of this speedy position group was Daniel Zapata. With a 4.64 forty, this 6'1 1/2" defensive back was clearly able to run with everybody. I noticed him struggle to convert on the ball - indicating why wide receiver is not his natural position. In terms of his form and technique, I would like to see Zapata have a wider base in his stance. Doing so will allow him to keep his feet under him more easily when moving, and also allow him to get down hill/change directions a bit quicker due to improved balance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a mix of good and bad for [player_tooltip player_id='1576375' first='DJ' last='Graham']. Starting with the good, Graham started out slow and improved later on - showing growth and response to coaching. Against a double-move/out-and-up, Graham's eyes remained disciplined, thus allowing him to maintain competitive position. On that same rep he also had the presence of mind to use Sammy Sideline to his advantage, taking any space for a completion away. During indy, I thought that he took a few too many steps to get down hill. I also want to see Graham bend at his hips more; right now he bends at his waist. As he transitioned to his preliminary reps of indy, he was way too handsy. The first rep that I caught of Graham's, it was as though he was grabbing and trying to hold on to the receiver for all dear life.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a sub-4.60 forty time and a 4.42 shuttle, I was surprised how Elmis Deleon did not cover as much ground as, given his numbers, you would think he is capable of. More measured in his movements, it seemed as though Deleon would rather be correct than trust his God-given gifts to recover and make up ground. He did a nice job of seeing the ball into his hands though. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prep Redzone New England Stock Up Showcase Event Coverage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/burning-questions-prep-rezone-new-england-stock-up-showcase-qbs">Burning Questions: Quarterbacks</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/burning-questions-prep-rezone-new-england-stock-up-showcase-dl">Burning Questions: Defensive Linemen</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/burning-questions-prep-rezone-new-england-stock-up-showcase-rbs">Burning Questions: Running Backs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/burning-questions-prep-rezone-new-england-stock-up-showcase-wr-te">Burning Questions: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/burning-questions-prep-rezone-new-england-stock-up-showcase-lbs">Burning Questions: Linebackers</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/burning-questions-prep-rezone-new-england-stock-up-showcase-ol">Burning Questions: Offensive Linemen</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/burning-questions-prep-rezone-new-england-stock-up-showcase-dbs">Burning Questions: Defensive Backs</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/prep-redzone-new-england-stock-up-showcase-offensive-eye-test">Offensive Eye Test</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/prep-redzone-new-england-stock-up-showcase-defensive-eye-test">Defensive Eye Test</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/prep-redzone-new-england-camp-top-defensive-combine-scores">Top Combine Scores: Defense</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/prep-redzone-new-england-camp-top-offensive-combine-scores">Top Combine Scores: Offense</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/prep-redzone-new-england-camp-defensive-back-notebook-part-i">Scout's Notebook: Defensive Back, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/prep-redzone-new-england-camp-defensive-line-notebook-part-i">Scout's Notebook: Defensive Line, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/prep-redzone-new-england-camp-offensive-line-notebook-part-i">Scout's Notebook: Offensive Line, Part I</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->