Standout 2027 DBs: Region 5’s Top Playmakers This Season

Florida has long been a hotbed for high school football talent, annually producing some of the nation's top defensive backs prospects.  Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism; these running backs have made names for themselves and caught the attention of college coaches and scouts.   These players are talented and have college-level ability. Some have a few offers, but all have the ability to play college football at some level.   There are some big-time, highly rated prospects and several sleeper prospects who should all be getting looks at the next level. This list is full of stud prospects.   Prep Redzone Florida will always promote every player, hoping they get the opportunity to play college football at the next      1. Kyker McBurse, Free Safety – Winter Springs High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 160 lbs   Stats Summary: 39 tackles, 6 interceptions, 4 passes defensed   Evaluation: McBurse is a true ball hawk in the secondary, leading this group with 6 interceptions. His ability to read quarterbacks and react quickly makes him a major playmaker in coverage. Despite his lean frame, he's an active tackler, showing solid open-field tackling ability with 39 stops. His instincts and ball skills give him the potential to be a game-changer on the back end.   2. [player_tooltip player_id='1680830' first='Semajay' last='Robinson'], Free Safety – Boyd Anderson High   Height/Weight: 6'2", 180 lbs   Stats Summary: 11 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 interceptions, 3 passes defensed   Evaluation: Robinson brings great size and    versatility to the safety position at 6'2", 180 lbs. While his tackle numbers are lower, his ability to blitz and make plays behind the line of scrimmage (2 sacks) makes him a valuable asset. His 5 interceptions highlight his ball skills, and he has the length to make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. His mix of coverage ability and pass-rush skills adds a unique dimension to his game.   3. Tyrone Caltin Jr., Free Safety/Cornerback – Gaither High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 160 lbs   Stats Summary: 41 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 5 interceptions, 7 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles   Evaluation: Caltin is a high-motor defensive back who thrives on creating turnovers. His 5 interceptions, 7 passes defensed, and 3 forced fumbles show that he's constantly around the ball. He's an aggressive tackler with 41 stops and has the versatility to play both safety and corner. His ability to generate turnovers and play with an edge makes him a valuable defensive playmaker.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='404029' first='Zayden' last='Gamble'], Cornerback/Free Safety – St. Thomas Aquinas High   Height/Weight: 6'1", 180 lbs   Stats Summary: 21 tackles, 4 interceptions   Evaluation: Gamble has a prototypical frame for a defensive back at 6'1”, 180 lbs, allowing him to match up well with bigger receivers. His 4 interceptions showcase his strong coverage ability and ball skills. While his tackle numbers aren't as high, he plays with great discipline and rarely gets beat in coverage. He projects as a smooth, physical defender who can play multiple roles in the secondary.   5. Omari Colbourne, Cornerback – Pembroke Pines Charter   Height/Weight: 5'8", 140 lbs   Stats Summary: 38 tackles, 2 passes defensed, 3 interceptions   Evaluation: Colbourne may be one of the smaller defensive backs in this group, but he makes up for it with quickness and toughness. His 38 tackles show his willingness to get involved in run support, and his 3 interceptions prove he has solid ball skills. His ability to stick with receivers and play bigger than his frame makes him a scrappy, reliable corner.   6. Jahkeim Ellison, Cornerback – Westwood High   Height/Weight: N/A   Stats Summary: 30 tackles, 3 interceptions, 6 passes defensed   Evaluation: Ellison is a well-rounded cornerback with a nose for the football. His 6 passes defensed show his ability to break up plays, while his 3 interceptions demonstrate his awareness in coverage. He's also not afraid to step up and make tackles, showing solid effort in run support. His blend of physicality and coverage ability makes him a dependable option in the secondary.   7. Latroy Pender Jr., Strong Safety – Riverdale High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 165 lbs   Stats Summary: 52 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 13 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked punt   Evaluation: Pender Jr. is a do-it-all safety who makes an impact at every level of the field. His 52 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss show his ability to step up against the run, while his 13 passes defensed and 3 interceptions highlight his effectiveness in coverage. His ability to contribute on special teams (1 blocked punt) further showcases his versatility. He's a playmaker who can be relied upon to make game-changing plays.   8. [player_tooltip player_id='895496' first='Jaden' last='Carey'], Cornerback – St. Thomas Aquinas High   Height/Weight: 6'0", 165 lbs   Stats Summary: 17 tackles, 3 interceptions, 6 passes defensed   Evaluation: Carey is a long, fluid corner who excels in man coverage. His 6 passes defensed and 3 interceptions show his ability to stick with receivers and challenge passes. While his tackling numbers aren't as high, he plays with solid technique and has the length to make plays on the ball. He's a smart, disciplined corner who fits well in press coverage situations.   Defensive Backs Overview   This is a highly talented and versatile group of defensive backs, with a strong mix of ball-hawking safeties and shutdown corners. Kyker McBurse and [player_tooltip player_id='1680830' first='Semajay' last='Robinson'] stand out with their elite interception numbers, while Tyrone Caltin Jr. and Latroy Pender Jr. bring a physical, turnover-forcing presence to their defenses. [player_tooltip player_id='404029' first='Zayden' last='Gamble'] and [player_tooltip player_id='895496' first='Jaden' last='Carey'] have the size and length to excel in coverage, while Omari Colbourne and Jahkeim Ellison play with a scrappy, aggressive mentality. As a unit, this group excels at creating turnovers and providing reliable coverage, making them valuable assets in any defensive scheme.

Florida has long been a hotbed for high school football talent, annually producing some of the nation's top defensive backs prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism; these running backs have made names for themselves and caught the attention of college coaches and scouts.