The Film Room: TN2027 Defensive Backs

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Volunteer State has putting out some good defensive back talent here of late and the senior class shows another solid crop of guys that could reach the collegiate gridiron. That's what the film showed us here with five prospects that are talented with a lot of college potential and upside. </h2>     (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1422977' first='Miles' last='Brown'] - Westview   Strengths: A natural athlete that brings a versatile skill set to the playing field, Brown has upside to become a potential lock down cover corner in college but if the outside doesn't work for him, sliding to safety could be his spot. What helps the Chargers senior remain on the outside is his physicality at the line and his ability to run and stay on path with the receiver. Brown could be a 4.4 guy and if he is that fast, he should be able to stay with just about any receiver he faces in college. This West Tennessee product displays quick feet, good instincts and the ability to transition his hips in and out of his breaks. The athletic skill set that resides with Brown helps him when he is a step too slow, meaning he will make a play out of nowhere when it's not expected. His willingness to play physical and tackle in run support is another strong trait about Brown. He doesn't back down from competition and Brown plays hard every time he steps onto the field. Talking with the Chargers defensive back on several occasions, Brown is a high character guy with a solid work ethic, so I believe he will only get better as he continues to grow and learn the game.    Needed Development: When you are positioned to become a cornerback in college, continuing to learn how to play one on one coverage is key. Brown must become comfortable being by himself on the outside and leaning on his athleticism, instincts and speed to get the job done. This guy can run but enhancing his agility while becoming more sudden would certainly help his cause on the outside. I also see where Brown can gain more weight and become better with his tackling. Playing corner, Brown may not be asked to tackle too much but increasing his physicality and weight would allow him to be better equipped in stopping the run.    College Potential: If you look at his current offer list, Brown is a bonafide Power Four prospect with upside to one day become an all-conference guy. His development over the next few years will dictate that but I like what I see from Brown and his upside to lock down one side of the field. Reading between the lines with his recruitment, I think some programs are hesitant at offering because some may view Brown as a safety, which I too think he can succeed there but cornerback looks to be his future. I also see value on special teams with the Chargers senior. This guy is a winner, who is coming off being a key piece behind Westview's 2025 state championship run. I like this prospect and his upside in the college game because I believe Brown is just scratching the surface on what he can be and that's a number one or two lock down cover corner.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/mibrown-crop-841x552-1773867909.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2153359" style="width:315px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='2076919' first='Landan' last='Left'] - Pearl Cohn   Strengths: Aggressive with a quick first step, Left has some impressive junior film that displays a versatile skill and natural athletic abilities that could be used on both sides of the ball and in the secondary. The first thing that pops on film from Left is his instincts and quickness towards the ball. The Firebirds senior has ball hawk written all over him. Left does a good job of diagnosing the play and making a quick decision that results in either an interception or a pass deflection. Speed is another trait that stands out about Left. This Nashville native runs well, displaying nice range and the ability to make plays when it's not expected. Left is also a willing tackler in run support. He has no problem coming up in the box and sticking his nose into the action to stop the run. I also like the versatility with Left. I could see him handling safety as well as work at nickel, especially due to his ability to run and tackle. I can see value on special teams as well. Left shows the ability to return the football while also having the skill set to play gunner on the outside.    Needed Development: One thing Left may not be able to develop further and that's his height and overall size. The Firebirds senior stands about 5 '9 to 5' 10, so he doesn't present today's ideal size of what college coaches want in their secondary. His overall size may deter some staffs from pursuing Left as he doesn't fit what they might prefer. While Left does run well, I think enhancing his initial burst and overall speed could help him make a bigger impact on the next level. Getting bigger and stronger as well is something for Left to work on throughout this off-season.    College Potential: Looking towards the future, I like the upside of Left and his ability to carve out a starting role in the secondary at multiple positions. His offer list speaks towards the Firebirds defensive back being a D1 prospect but I think Left can play his way into Power Four status with further development. I like the value here with Left as someone that can handle several roles in the defensive backfield while also contributing on special teams. His versatile skill set should be quite appealing to college coaches, which might include some big time programs, especially if Left pushes himself to the next level.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/lleft.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2153360" style="width:277px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1585715' first='Quinn' last='Taylor'] - Ensworth   Strengths: A multi-year starter with a knack for being around the football, Taylor is a hidden gem that brings a lot of strong traits to the playing field that translates well to the college game. The first thing that pops about this Nashville area safety is his athleticism. Taylor makes certain plays on the field look easy due to his athletic movements. His instincts help the cause as well. The Tigers senior reads and reacts quickly then turns on his speed to get downhill and make plays on the ball. Taylor may prove to be one of the fastest safety prospects we have from our in-state senior class. Being a ball hawk is something that Taylor can form into in college but I also see him being strong against the run as well. Due to his quick first step and speed, Taylor gets downhill fast to put himself in the action. He is willing to be physical with his tackling and I think his speed helps in this area. I see good range with Taylor too. This Nashville native has the skill set that could allow him to play the boundary or field safety in college while becoming a key piece on special teams.    Needed Development: While the athletic traits are in place, I do think that Taylor can get bigger and stronger, which in turn should make him better against the run. You can see physical flashes on film but to play on the highest stage of college football, Taylor must fill out further to sustain himself with longevity while bringing more physicality to the field. While Taylor runs well, I can see him increasing his speed and becoming more impactful. Doing that could enhance his ball hawk tendencies.    College Potential: I feel like Taylor is vastly sitting under the radar right now. I compare him towards [player_tooltip player_id='1476160' first='Luke' last='Thompson'], a safety that signed with Tennessee last year. Now I don't think Taylor is as explosive or sudden compared to Thompson but he isn't far off. This is an athletic guy that displays the range and speed wanted on the back end. I definitely think the Tigers senior is an FCS level prospect but I truly feel he is a D1 guy that could sneak into the Power Four player with further development. It will be interesting to see how he progresses throughout the year and how is able to build his stock.    - - - - -    (S) [player_tooltip player_id='1925934' first='Tristan' last='Thornton'] - Blackman   Strengths: This Murfreesboro area prospect is a solid ball player that took a step in the right direction last year by displaying great instincts and athletic tools that translates into the college game. Thornton is a ball hawk that consistently puts himself around the ball. He is able to do that because of his athleticism, high football knowledge and instincts as well as his ability to quickly break on the pass. This Blaze safety reads the play well, making quick decisions then attacking without hesitation. He shows those traits in the pass game but also stopping the run. Thornton has no problem sticking his nose into the action and sniffing out the run. Finishing with physicality along with stops behind the line is something you see on film. Thornton is well built physically, at least for age. He has the body and frame to get bigger and fill out much further as he continues to mature. I think he provides versatility on the back end. I do like his fit at free or field safety but I could see him working the boundary and nickel as well. That versatility could be benefitted on special teams too where Thornton could be an impact player.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/8-Tristan-Thornton.png?w=582" alt="" class="wp-image-2103189" style="aspect-ratio:0.9093942357475695;width:247px;height:auto" /></figure>   Needed Development: The biggest thing Thornton must work on this off-season is his long speed and range. I see flashes of it on film but increasing the range and speed could push his game to new levels. The instincts in the pass game are strong but the Blaze safety could increase those further and make him more impactful against the run. Getting stronger is definitely something Thornton must work on, which would help him in a variety of ways from being more physical and maintaining his long term health.    College Potential: Thornton is a fringe prospect that could develop himself into a D1 guy. Now I don't know if that will start right out of high school or possibly through the transfer portal but I like the long term upside with this Murfreesboro safety. He may have to begin his path on the FCS level, which is where I have Thornton currently targeted. Whoever lands this guy could be getting a steal as I like how Thornton plays and what he brings to the field. His instincts to find the ball in a variety of ways along with his value on special teams is something that I think should be appealing to college coaches, however the offers have yet to come.    - - - - -    (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1467318' first='Martavius' last='Smith'] - South Pittsburg   Strengths: One of the more interesting scouting cases I have from the TN2027 class, Smith is a natural athlete that shows me versatility to play all around the secondary, including cover corner. This guy can run, showing near track speed, which translates well to playing on the outside. He is loose hipped and smooth in his transition. Smith is quick footed while sporting nice play recognition. There are several traits about this Chattanooga area that speaks towards playing on the island. All his athletic tools could work at field safety or even nickel as well. Smith does display solid instincts along with the ability to close on the ball fast. I see value in Smith being a gunner on special teams and maybe even contribute in the return game as well.    Needed Development: For this defensive back to become the kind of impactful player he wants to be, Smith must hit the food table and weight room hard to pack on more size. He is slender in frame and lacking the needed weight, which could show up and hinder him against bigger, more physical wideouts. The lack of weight also shows up in run support. Smith does flash the occasional willingness to come up and tackle but on the next level, he will be seeing bigger dudes that might run him over. Learning how to play corner is something Smith must continue to do as well. He has spent a lot of time playing both ways in high school but his upside fits best in the secondary, so Smith needs time to engulf himself into understanding how to play on the boundary.    College Potential: If Smith can dedicate himself to play corner or the secondary along with putting on the needed weight, I actually think he can make it to the D1, maybe even the Power Four level one day. His natural athletic abilities and ability to run and cover speaks towards that. Now I do think he may have to start his college career on the FCS, maybe the D2 playing stage but the raw athletic tools are in place to move up one day. The upside is strong with Smith, so I'm interested to see how he forms himself over these off-season months and the Pirates defensive back performs throughout his senior year.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/marsmith-crop-324x213-1773868109.jpg?w=323" alt="" class="wp-image-2153364" style="width:311px;height:auto" /></figure>