2028 DB Stock-Risers

We just dropped our updated 2028 rankings, and we're working on our stock-risers content by looking at the backfields. We added 75 new players, which makes it difficult for previously-ranked players to move up. That being said, the defensive back position is loaded and has some momentum, with nearly 20% of the total stock-risers in this update. Here, we're looking at the nine defensive backs who made moves in our rankings.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 Defensive Back Stock-Risers</h2>   Editor's Note: Here's a list of all of our 2028 Stock-Risers pieces from the past week:   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/2028-qb-rb-stock-risers/">QBs/RBs</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/2028-wr-stock-risers/">WRs</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/2028-ol-stock-risers/">OL</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/2028-dl-stock-risers/">IDLs</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/2028-edge-rusher-stock-risers/">Edge Rushers</a>    Our biggest defensive back stock-riser of the cycle, McWhirter, impressed my colleague Matt Morrow at the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/2028-defensive-back-newcomers-winter/">CFI Showcase</a>. On the smaller side for a corner, McWhirter is a bulldog in coverage, relentless with his man-matching. He has speed, length, and should continue to grow over the next year and a half. He anchors a South Point secondary that probably doesn't get enough credit for how it limits quarterbacks.     Jones is one of the better safety-linebacker hybrids in the state, and people are finally starting to realize it. He wasn't actually a starter at the beginning of the year, but earned more playing time, partially through splash plays. He blocked a kick, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble last season, and his length should allow him to make an impact in the passing game, as well.     Parrish impresses me more every time I see him. I first evaluated him as part of a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/2028-defensive-back-newcomers-winter/">February newcomer class</a> that included several players on this list. He's a long, quick corner with good mirroring skills and some ball production. When we evaluated Alamance County defensive backs, he was the lone rising junior in the bunch.     Covington hit the radar after a strong camp performance at Gardner-Webb last offseason. Then, he continued to pop up here and there throughout the season. Now, he's a back-to-back stock-riser after moving up in both February and May. Covington's coverage skills and speed speak for themselves and make him one of the more complete corners in the state.     Brown-Wells' physical profile is really interesting. On the surface, you'd think he fits best, physically, at corner, given his speed and length. Then you watch him throw around weight in the weight room and realize why he's able to thrive as a box safety for Terry Sanford. While we'd had him ranked for a while, our coverage counter tool indicated earlier this offseason that we hadn't given him enough coverage. That led me down a rabbit hole of his film. Ultimately led to the decision to move him up the rankings.     Bowman hit our radar a while ago, but I hadn't seen much film and didn't feel comfortable ranking him without a better idea of what talent he was working with. He then had a breakout season as a sophomore, with 500 receiving yards and six interceptions. We love him as a defensive back, and with his production and impressive physical profile, colleges have noticed his talent this offseason.     Varga has been on the radar for a while after hitting multiple Prep Redzone events early in his career, but only entered our rankings in February, and we're already moving him up. His size and lateral quickness make for an excellent athletic combination, while his instincts helped him become one of Northwest Guilford's leading tacklers last season. The ball skills are there, so expect him to have a couple of interceptions as a junior.     Balcerzak's evaluation became a bit easier once we decided (a bit later than necessary, to be honest) to move him to defensive back in our system. Instead of looking at this defensive back tape and extrapolating that to other positions, we can evaluate him as a true safety prospect. He has excellent range, and his background playing quarterback helps him anticipate where throws are going.     Williams continues to slowly climb our rankings as a true Power Four prospect. He's steadily grown, debuting in our rankings a few years ago at around 5'9" and now standing at 6'. He has length, speed, and instincts, one of the few true man corners in the class. An explosive athlete, expect his ball production to tick up in 2026 after 12 pass deflections and two picks last season.    Next week, we start our look at the 2029 class. Make sure to DM me on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>) with your film, measurements, and times so we don't miss you. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle for any subscription.

We just dropped our updated 2028 rankings, and we're working on our stock-risers content by looking at the backfields. We added 75 new players, which makes it difficult for previously-ranked players to move up. That being said, the defensive back position is loaded and has some momentum, with nearly 20% of the total stock-risers in this update. Here, we're looking at the nine defensive backs who made moves in our rankings.