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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which stars leveled up at the 2026 Las Vegas Who's Next Showcase</h2>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Backs</h2>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Fairchild deserves this first spot. Measuring in at 5'9”, he utilizes a long torso and impressive arm reach to play much "bigger" than his frame suggests, consistently disrupting catch windows. His performance at camp was outstanding, earning him a well-deserved standout nod and the title of Top DB. This recognition is a direct result of his elite hip mobility and fluid rotation, which allow him to mirror shifty receivers and transition through breaks without losing a step.</p>
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<p>He possesses superb agility as he finished with the 4th fastest time in the pro shuttle agility drill and 7th fastest time in the L-drill. This makes him exceptional in coverage against shifty and quick receivers. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">He has high-level football IQ and anticipation. He has good instincts in zone coverage, consistently reading the quarterback's eyes to jump routes before the ball is even released. His keen awareness ensures he is rarely caught out of place, while his good closing speed allows him to break up passes with great efficiency. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Neill may have been one of the younger prospects on the field, but he played with the poise and technical discipline of a seasoned veteran. Despite frequently drawing assignments against taller, more experienced wide receivers, Neill consistently holds his ground and plays with toughness and maturity. </p>
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<p>His foundation of elite speed and twitchy athleticism, allows him to stay glued to the hip of vertical threats. He is rarely, if ever, beaten on deep routes, as his recovery speed and lateral agility enable him to erase any initial separation a receiver might gain at the line of scrimmage. He was able to finish in the top 10 in agility with the pro shuttle, and he was the top in the 2032 class. </p>
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<p>What truly elevates Neill's game is his natural "ball hawk" instinct and verticality that defies his age. He shows an uncanny ability to track the ball in flight, using his explosive leaping ability to disrupt even the most perfectly placed passes. His spatial awareness is a massive asset; he consistently maintains excellent positioning, which allows him to play through the ball rather than the man, effectively breaking up plays while avoiding costly penalties. For a younger defensive back to demonstrate this level of disciplined aggression while matching up against top-tier speed is a clear indicator of a high-ceiling prospect with significant potential.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">While Neill's athletic profile allows him to excel in zone coverage where he can use his vision to jump routes, he projects most naturally as a man-to-man specialist. His elite "recovery" speed and fluid transitions make him a candidate to follow an opponent's WR1 all over the field. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Chaney is a physically imposing defensive back who combines rare functional strength with a high-tier athletic profile. Standing 5'10.5” and weighing 166 lbs, Chaney utilizes a powerful lower body and exceptional hip strength to dictate terms at the line of scrimmage. He is a punishing tackler who uses his leverage to stonewall running backs and larger receivers, consistently preventing yards after catch or contact. This physicality makes him a versatile weapon in coverage; he has the pure strength to reroute tight ends and the athletic twitch to remain fluid in his transitions.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">What truly sets Chaney apart is his massive 72-inch wingspan and vertical explosion. Finishing in the top 10 of the broad jump at the showcase, he demonstrates the "spring" necessary to contest high-point balls against taller targets. While he is more than capable of locking down opponents in man-to-man, he truly flourishes in a safety role where he can survey the field. His combination of reach and verticality effectively shrinks passing windows, allowing him to disrupt both medium and deep vertical routes. Whether he is filling the alley in the run game or patrolling the secondary in zone, Chaney's physical tools make him a high-impact defender with elite range.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterbacks</h2>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Johnson left the camp as the top-rated quarterback. He consistently showcased a level of polish rarely seen in his age group. His throwing mechanics are exceptionally mature, characterized by superior trunk and scapular mobility that allows him to generate effortless power. He excels in the short and intermediate passing game, delivering the ball with high velocity and a lightning-quick release that keeps defenders on their heels. His high level ability to maintain a consistent throwing rhythm is anchored by elite pocket footwork, aiding him with quick deliveries during blitzing and heavy pressure. </p>
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<p>Beyond his arm talent, Johnson is a true dual-threat nightmare for opposing coordinators. He finished 2nd in his class in the pro shuttle agility test, a testament to his elite lateral quickness and change-of-direction ability. This athleticism translates directly to the field, where he uses subtle movements to evade pass rushers and extend plays outside the pocket. Whether he is driving a deep ball down the sideline or using his legs to pick up a critical first down, John's combination of technical passing traits and high-end agility marks him as a premier signal-caller in the 2032 cycle.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">His upside and potential is huge, and he is one to keep an eye on in the 2032 class as an elite QB in the making. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2145462' first='Steven' last='Perez'] is a high-IQ signal caller with a great skillset who turned heads with his "pocket poise." He displays a remarkable level of comfort under pressure, consistently keeping his eyes downfield and allowing complex route concepts to develop before delivering the ball. Perez is a pure processor; he reads the secondary well, showing a keen ability to identify soft spots in zone coverage and anticipate open windows before his receivers even make their breaks. His accuracy on downfield shots is a standout trait, as he repeatedly drops precise, catchable balls that allow his targets to maintain their momentum and get extra YAC.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">What makes Perez a reliable leader for any offense is his rapid adaptability and decision-making. He is a quick study who picks up new passing schemes with ease, rarely forcing a throw into tight coverage or putting the ball in harm's way. When the initial play structure breaks down, Perez shows his great vision and adaptability to find the correct check-down or secondary targets. This combination of mental toughness, field vision, and vertical precision marks Perez as a highly efficient quarterback prospect capable of dissecting even the most disciplined defenses.</p>
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Which stars leveled up at the 2026 Las Vegas Who's Next Showcase
HEIGHT
5'9"
WEIGHT
125
POS
DB/WR
CLASS
2030
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HEIGHT
5'2"
WEIGHT
110
POS
DB
CLASS
2032
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HEIGHT
5'11"
WEIGHT
165
POS
N/A
CLASS
2031
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HEIGHT
5'3"
WEIGHT
92
POS
QB
CLASS
2032
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HEIGHT
5'6"
WEIGHT
120
POS
QB/WR
CLASS
2030
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