Scouting The Top Defensive Backs in Division II-AAA

A lot of prospects across Tennessee have emerged and etched their names as stars in their respective classifications. With spring practice kicking off, I'm scouting the top players at each position in each class.   Next in this series, I'll discuss the top five Division II-AAA defensive backs. Here's a scouting report of my top cornerbacks and safeties in DII-AAA heading into the 2026 season.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Aug-22-2025-10-03-54-PM-rotated.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2007579" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knox Catholic DB [player_tooltip player_id='1029798' first='Xavier' last='Bowman'] after a game. Photo by Conner Smith, Prep Redzone.</figcaption></figure>   2028 CB [player_tooltip player_id='1029798' first='Xavier' last='Bowman'] – Knoxville Catholic   [player_tooltip player_id='1029798' first='Xavier' last='Bowman'] is a talented defensive back who took the next step as a sophomore and looks to build on that success heading into his junior season. The 2028 prospect grew tremendously in several areas over his second year at Catholic and is on the cusp of being a top 10 cornerback nationally for his class. He possesses all the skills, physical tools and traits to be just that, and his 20+ Division I offers back that up.   He offers good size, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 170 pounds, with great athleticism, good coverage skills, impressive fluidity, swift hips and high football IQ. The rising junior performed well last season for a team that plays in arguably the state's toughest classification. Bowman has to work on certain things and polish areas of his game, but he's an uber-talented player who will become a contributor at the Power Four level.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Jordan2-crop-4801x3152-1769450143.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2113291" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Baylor CB Jordan Darren-Djila. Taken by Shayne Pickering.</figcaption></figure>   2027 CB Jordan Darren-Djila – Baylor School   Jordan Darren-Djila is an incredibly talented defensive back who had a good junior season for the state champion Baylor Red Raiders. He's a versatile player who can play every position, but he's best at corner.   The 2027 prospect offers solid size, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 180 pounds with a lean frame and exceptional athleticism that allows him to play with any receiver. He was arguably the top defensive back on his team last season, but he will step into that No. 1 role with a few players graduating.   Darren-Djila is physical, but also has good technique, quick hips and excellent instincts for his position. With his physical tools, along with his polished skills, watch out for the rising senior defensive back.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Photo-Apr-30-2026-8-52-24-PM-crop-1320x867-1777600457.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2198345" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knox Catholic DB [player_tooltip player_id='1031949' first='Brooks' last='Johnston'] during a game. Photo by crook_captures on Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   2028 S [player_tooltip player_id='1031949' first='Brooks' last='Johnston'] – Knoxville Catholic   Knox Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='1031949' first='Brooks' last='Johnston'] stepped in as a full-time starter last season and was nothing short of outstanding. In arguably the toughest classification in Tennessee, he was a star, picking up over 15 offers and becoming a consensus four-star recruit in his class. He has the skills, physical tools, traits and violent play style that make him one of the more coveted players in the Southeast.   Johnston offers good size, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 190 pounds in a long, athletic frame that allows him to add weight. The rising junior is a highly fluid mover with swift hips, good footwork, great physicality, impressive ball-hawking skills and the ability to be a game-changer all over the gridiron.   He plays excellent coverage on man and zone, but his best ability is the physicality he brings. He's a hard hitter who loves contact and will run through somebody's face. The 2028 prospect reminds me of Alabama's Bray Hubbard, and is even farther along than what the Crimson Tide star defensive back was at this stage of his career.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Photo-Apr-30-2026-8-56-20-PM-crop-906x595-1777600647.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2198349" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Brentwood Academy DB Braylen Bedford at his previous school. Photo from his X/Twitter.</figcaption></figure>   2028 S Braylen Bedford – Brentwood Academy   Braylen Bedford was a massive addition to an elite Brentwood Academy program. He is here by way of Vardaman High School in Mississippi, where he was the No. 2 DB in his class and a top 70 player nationally. He's a highly impressive player who's shown the ability to completely take over games with his size, skills and instincts.   He offers good size, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 170 pounds in a long, athletic frame that allows him to maintain his movement and fluidity. Bedford is extremely athletic and possesses great footwork, allowing him to cover all over the gridiron, but also break off to make plays.   He has excellent closing speed, even from deep center field. The rising junior has great coverage skills and can recover flawlessly, but my favorite part of his game is the physicality with which he plays. Bedford is violent and not afraid to lower his shoulder, which makes him an intriguing player at his position. Obviously, he needs to clean some things up, but he's one of the best in the country for a reason.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-05-2025-7-11-47-PM.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-2007467" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Brentwood Academy DB Romel Koon Jr.</figcaption></figure>   2027 CB Romel Koon Jr. – Brentwood Academy   Romel Koon Jr. has been a productive player in his high school career, but he took that next step in his junior season, establishing himself as a top defensive back in his class. He was a legitimate shutdown corner, earning all-region honors and picking up steam on the recruiting trail.   He possesses solid size for his position, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 160 pounds in a long frame. While he is on the lighter side, he plays much bigger than his size suggests. Koon Jr. also has the space to add weight and further maximize his potential as an outside corner. The 2027 prospect has excellent coverage skills, swift hips, strong instincts, nice hands and the underrated ability to tackle, which some people forget about for this position.   The biggest thing for Koon Jr. is filling out his frame while maintaining his movement. However, he is productive and has received numerous high-level offers, suggesting he can play very well regardless of his size.

A lot of prospects across Tennessee have emerged and etched their names as stars in their respective classifications. With spring practice kicking off, I'm scouting the top players at each position in each class.