Ortega is a good athlete who contributes on both sides of the ball, but I find myself more drawn to what he can become on defense. He has good range and closing speed and does a nice job covering ground when the ball is in the air. His instincts allow him to get himself into good positions, and he shows the ability to stay in phase with receivers downfield. He also has long arms that help him disrupt passes and bat balls away at the catch point. The offensive ability is there, but the defensive traits jump out. There’s a lot to work with when you combine that athleticism, length, and natural feel for coverage.

Deegan Ortega Deegan Ortega 6'3" | 180 lbs | ATH Eminence | 2028 State KY has played multiple roles for Eminence over the past couple seasons. Last season, he mainly played quarterback where he threw three passing touchdowns and ran for five scores in seven games. As a junior, Ortega will play receiver and defensive back. In offseason workouts, he has proven to be a skilled route runner with reliable hands as a receiver while showing the ability to mirror receivers’ routes in man coverage as a defensive back. Deegan will be an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on heading into the upcoming season.

To wrap up our top five defensive backs in the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky, I have Deegan Ortega Deegan Ortega 6'3" | 180 lbs | ATH Eminence | 2028 State KY . Deegan is a versatile defensive back who has shown the ability to play both corner and safety. He is very reliable in pass coverage, showing the ability to read route combinations and flow through the secondary to put himself in a position to make a play. When the ball is thrown his way, Ortega has shown impressive ball skills, coming away with two interceptions in 11 games as a freshman. Deegan also finished this past season with 18 tackles and two tackles for loss. Ortega should be a player for college coaches to keep their eyes on over the next three years.