Easily, one of the more underrated 2028 defensive backs in the Atlanta area, Derico Welch Jr. is a playmaking safety who knows how to attack the football and create turnovers for his Cedar Grove defense. Just a sophomore, Welch plays the middle of the field as well as any safety in the area and brings impressive size already with a lengthy at 6-foot-5 and 180-pound frame. He tackles well and has a natural feel in coverage. Welch should see a bump in his Prep Redzone ranking later this summer along with several more D1 offers. Don’t be surprised if he has a true breakout junior season for Cedar Grove in 2026.

8/19/25: Gigantic rare traits prospect. Still growing as an athlete and learning to change gears, but he has a smooth backpedal and is a functional mover. Suffocating length as a tackler. Expecting him to fill out and be more of a box safety as he bulks up. It will be hard for QBs to place the ball around or over him if he’s in the right spot in coverage. Keeping track to see how much pop he adds as an athlete and a player.