2029 Watchlist Breakdown: Defensive Backs To Know

<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>In this breakdown, we evaluate the 2029 defensive back prospects to know on the PRZ watchlist.</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Funches is a versatile athlete and a two-way threat at DB and RB. At DB, he shows a good ability to stay in phase with fluid movement and plus change of direction. He accelerates out of his transition and possesses the recovery speed to close separation. Plays through the hands with strong ball judgement and tracking skills to compete at the catch point and disrupt receivers. Plays hard and tough on both sides of the ball. One to watch as he progresses.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BraydenFunches/status/1990974903101874406 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Schiermyer is a quick reacting CB with great feel and awareness for route combinations. He shows he can anticipate play location and break on the ball with great plant and drive ability. High motor, he plays fast and physical triggering to the ball without hesitation to close space limiting gains after the catch and in run support. Multi-dimensional skillset that translates well to several positions on both sides of the ball including DB, WR, RB, and QB.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/crew_schiermyer/status/2016381724318695839 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Stenson flashes excellent natural coverage skills as a freshman. Quick in the hips with fast twitch movement he's able to lock on and sustain coverage to all areas of the field against a wide route tree. Demonstrates he can be effective playing both press and off coverage. In press, he plays with quick and active hands to disrupt receiver releases and routes. Shows good footwork and technical ability throughout the play.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/StensonDarrien/status/1996763970557170062 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Coleman possesses the skillset to be a three phase playmaker at DB, WR, and kick returner. Flashes good all around game speed with his combination of short area quickness and sustained long speed. Good timing and acceleration coming out of his transition to flip his hips and run on vertical routes. Does a good job staying in phase and attaching to the receiver's hip to limit separation. Body control and coordination give him the ability to adjust to ball flight and play the ball in the air. Will be an intriguing prospect as he continues to develop.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Mekhi_Coleman29/status/1994910504696123496 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Atkinson flashes a strong foundational skillset with great growth potential in his frame at 6'3” 185 lbs. Size and length give him good positional flexibility to be a deep cover safety or come down to be play the box perimeter. He's a plus athlete that runs well with good straight line speed. Solid in run support, he works hard downhill and maintains proper leverage with efficient angles to close space on the ball carrier. Strong tackler that initiates with force to drive through contact and is reliable in one on one open field situations. Good all around defensive player with upside and potential as he progresses.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Smith is an attacking defender that can be an impact player lining up in multiple positions across different fronts. 5'10” 180 lbs. he flies around with speed and reactionary quickness to be a sideline to sideline playmaker. Shows good eye discipline and instincts to anticipate the play and trigger to the ball. As a freshman he played primarily at the second level where he showed excellent versatility in coverage, run support, and as a pass rusher. Violent at the contact point, he's a heavy tackler that finishes aggressively to the ground and is tough to break once he gets his hands on. A lot to like about his early potential and ability.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SmithSamien/status/1988068487424843975 </div></figure>