NEW 2027 RANKINGS:  A Look at a DEEP Defensive Back Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>POST-SEASON UPDATE:</strong>&nbsp;We have officially released a new set of rankings for the class of 2027 in Arkansas. In this article, we will showcase the 2027 defensive backs with analysis. Over the next month, I will break down these rankings by position within each class, as well as other relevant segments. For the defensive backs, I will provide you with evaluations of some of the top prospects and the players flying under the radar:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2027","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2495","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2456","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694479c00616f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1309317"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694479c007c98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1309317' first='Kendall' last='Hill'] is a D1 caliber defensive back with multiple offers. He adds to a talented DB at Little Rock Central. He's instinctive, sticks like glue, and possesses a good football IQ. His COD and hip fluidity enable him to transition quickly and get vertical with the wide receiver or stay inside the hip pocket on a break without allowing any room for separation. He has good recovery speed, notable ball skills, and good use of hands. Good read-and-react skills, highlighted by his change of direction and acceleration, enabling him to attack downhill vs the run or arrive at the catch point to disrupt the pass, force a PBU or INT—a physical press-man corner who knows how to jam effectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note - Multi-Position Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KendallHill2027/status/1918048688900866072?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KendallHill2027/status/1918048688900866072?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1903910"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694479c007cf4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1903910' first='Ayden' last='Gillespie'] is a versatile defensive back who can play the nickel and/or off-ball corner at the next level due to his athletic ability. Gillespie is a solid man-to-man corner who can run the opposition's routes. He can transition from zone effectively to make a tackle in space due to solid COD, burst, and technique. The riser will be at our showcase in January. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note - Multi-Position Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AydenGill2027/status/1996593311365152844?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AydenGill2027/status/1996593311365152844?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1640191"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694479c007d44"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1640191' first='Colton' last='Kimbel'] is a prospect to watch this off-season. Kimbel is a high-motor prospect who keys the quarterback's eyes post-snap with solid read-and-react ability. He's an underrated defensive back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note - Multi-Sport Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ColtondagoatK/status/1998951040272527783?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ColtondagoatK/status/1998951040272527783?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1719432"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694479c007dad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1719432' first='Carlos' last='Lozano'] could be a breakout candidate for the 2026 season. He's a strong zone corner with good football IQ. He is fluid and smart, and he can read and diagnose your break point. He consistently challenges the catch point to force PBUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.3 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Carlos__lozano2","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Carlos__lozano2 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2081826"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694479c007df9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2081826' first='Layne' last='Clark'] lands at number 50 for his first-ever ranking. He can transition and run vertically with the opposition. Clark displays solid read-and-react ability against screens and RPOs. Keep an eye on him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note - 3.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/layneclark27/status/1998503687442833894?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/layneclark27/status/1998503687442833894?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER TOP 100 DEFENSIVE BACKS:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='403107' first='Aaron' last='Austin III'] (Bryant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1206735' first='Terriun' last='Jones'] (Bryant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. [player_tooltip player_id='1636088' first='Roy' last='Holmes'] (Little Rock Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='1265738' first='Jaiden' last='Andrews'] (Marked Tree)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='1157356' first='Kylen' last='Jenkins'] (Bryant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='1305484' first='Jace' last='Blake'] (Walnut Ridge)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='596860' first='Bryson' last='Stewart'] (Mayflower)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='916214' first='Messiah' last='Jones'] (Little Rock Parkview)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. [player_tooltip player_id='617474' first='Silas' last='Brock'] (Bentonville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='1218077' first='Jaedyn' last='Ricks-Abernathy'] (Pulaski Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='692440' first='Evan' last='Moll'] (Bentonville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. [player_tooltip player_id='2081823' first='Tanner' last='Simmons'] (Harding Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. Terry McGinister III (Greenwood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->