Top Defensive Backs
Class of 2027 -- ranked by measurables, physical ceiling, and recruiting validation
Elite verified speed (10.93 100m), 57 rec/1312 yds/20 TDs at 5A, and 11 D1 offers including Power 5 schools make him the clear top prospect in this class. The 5'10" 158 lb frame is the only knock, but his ball skills (3 INTs on defense) and explosive athleticism (23'2" long jump) are special.
Brooklyn Bailey is a legitimate Big 12-level athlete with elite verified track speed (10.93 100m) and explosive jumping ability (23'2" LJ) who produced monster numbers as a junior WR1 (54-1,260-20) on a Colorado 5A semifinalist. The frame is lean at 5-11/165 and will need significant development in the weight room, but the athletic testing floor is extremely high and the two-way production (WR/CB) demonstrates competitive versatility. With his speed, ball skills, and room to fill out, Bailey projects as a potential impact slot receiver or field-side corner at the Power 5 level with continued physical maturation.
State-leading 8 INTs with 89 tackles at 5A Regis Jesuit is an elite combination of ball skills and run support that very few DBs in the country can match. The 6'0" 170 lb frame needs filling out, but his instincts, tackling production, and All-Colorado recognition against top-tier competition make him a legitimate D1 safety prospect.
A 6'6" 195 lb multi-sport freak (2A Basketball POY, 22.5 PPG) who put up 48 rec/894 yds/11 TDs AND 94 tackles with 6 INTs on defense — the combination of size, ball skills, and production is unprecedented in this class. The 8-man competition is a legitimate concern, but the physical tools and two-way dominance project him as a WR/TE/safety hybrid that D1 programs will covet once they see him at camps.
Tatum Kocerha is a rare physical specimen at 6'6" 190 lbs with elite multi-sport production, headlined by being named Colorado 2A Basketball Player of the Year as a sophomore while also leading his football team in receiving yards, touchdowns, AND tackles. His basketball skill set (point guard at 6'6" who can dunk, averaging 22.5/11.1/4.4) suggests the kind of coordination, hands, and competitive motor that could translate to a difference-making pass catcher at the next level. However, he is completely off the football recruiting radar playing 8-man ball in tiny Simla, CO, and desperately needs verified speed testing and exposure at camps to validate his D1 football ceiling -- this is a high-upside, high-uncertainty prospect who could project as a WR or TE with the right development.
Leading all Colorado juniors with 8 INTs while also producing 32 rec/560 yds/7 TDs and 3 punt return TDs shows an elite playmaker with verified explosiveness (3A state triple jump champion at 44'2"). The 150 lb frame and 2A competition are real concerns, but the ball skills and track athleticism give him a legitimate path to D1 if he adds weight and gets camp exposure.
Munoz is a fascinating small-school two-way athlete with elite ball skills (8 INTs, 32 rec, 7 TDs, 3 PR TDs) and verified track & field explosiveness (3A state triple jump champion at 44-2). His 6'0" frame has significant room to fill out from 150 lbs, and if he can add 20-30 pounds while maintaining his speed and leaping ability, he has the physical tools to project as a D1 cornerback or slot receiver at the FCS/low-FBS level. The biggest hurdle is exposure -- he's completely off the national radar playing 2A football in rural Colorado and needs verified testing numbers and camp appearances to generate offers.
The 27.6 YPR on 26 catches with 9 TDs as a WR plus 5 INTs and 10 PDs on defense at 6'2" 180 lbs is outstanding two-way production with a verified 4.67 forty and 73-inch wingspan. He's a high-floor prospect who can play both sides of the ball at the FCS/Group of 5 level and just needs more exposure to generate offers.
Basham is a high-upside, under-recruited two-way athlete with legitimate playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. His junior year production (718 receiving yards, 9 TDs in 5 games as a WR; 5 INTs on defense) is eye-popping, and his 73-inch wingspan and ball skills project well. The biggest question is whether his measured 4.67 speed and 170-lb frame can translate to the FCS/Group of 5 level, but with a full offseason to train and a senior year of full-time WR reps, he could emerge as a legitimate low-major D1 or strong FCS target.
Southern League Defensive POTY at 5A Legend with 3 INTs, 493 receiving yards (25.9 YPR), 638 return yards, and Ivy League offers validates his talent level against quality competition. The 6'1" 175 lb frame, 4.57 forty, 4.22 shuttle, and 33" vertical give him a strong athletic profile, and the six offers (Cornell, Harvard, Dartmouth, SDSU, USD, NDSU) confirm he's a legitimate next-level player.
Freddie Burke is a high-upside, multi-sport athlete with legitimate Ivy League/FCS-level ability as a two-way player. His 6'1" frame, 4.57 speed, Southern League Defensive Player of the Year honor, and 493-yard receiving junior season show a prospect who impacts games on both sides of the ball. With a strong senior campaign and verified camp testing, he could push into low-level FBS consideration, but his most likely ceiling is a high-impact Ivy League or top-tier FCS contributor at cornerback.
At 6'4" 185 lbs with 102 career catches, 1,677 yards, 22 TDs, and 10 career INTs across three varsity seasons, Lucero has the prototypical size and production to project as a D1 WR or safety. The All-State Second Team nod and consistent year-over-year production are impressive — he just needs verified speed testing to unlock his recruitment.
Noah Lucero is a high-upside, under-the-radar 2027 WR/DB prospect with an elite physical frame (6'4" 185 lbs) and outstanding production (102 career catches, 1,677 yards, 22 TDs over three varsity seasons in Colorado 3A). His contested-catch ability, two-way versatility (5 INTs as a junior), and multi-sport athleticism suggest a legitimate FCS-to-low-major FBS ceiling, with potential to climb if he tests well at camps and gains exposure against higher-level competition. The critical missing piece is verified speed/athletic testing data -- if he can run in the 4.5-4.6 range at his size, he becomes a very intriguing mid-major or Group of 5 prospect.
A versatile playmaker with 6 INTs, 54 rec/704 yds, verified track speed (12.16 100m, 43.98 4x100 relay), and 3,285 career all-purpose yards who already holds a Northern Colorado PWO — his ball skills and positional flexibility (RB→WR transition) show elite football IQ. The 160 lb frame and 2A level are concerns, but Prep Redzone recognition and Denver Post 101 selection validate his tools.
Ayden Dodge is an explosive, versatile two-way athlete with verified track measurables (12.16 100m, 6'1" high jump) and elite ball skills on both sides of the ball. His transition from 1,260-yard rusher as a sophomore to 54-catch, 704-yard receiver as a junior demonstrates rare positional flexibility and football IQ. However, at 150-160 lbs he is significantly undersized for D1, and the 2A competition level means he needs camp verified testing and exposure against higher-caliber athletes to unlock scholarship opportunities beyond the FCS/D2 level.
A physical 6'2" 205 lb two-way player with 64 tackles, 12 TFL, 2 INTs on defense plus 609 rushing yards and 11 TDs at 5A Mountain Vista — his South Dakota offer and playoff production (200+ yards in a quarterfinal) validate his talent. Projects more as an LB than a pure DB, but his safety/LB hybrid versatility and physicality give him a clear college role.
Accelerates extremely well through the hole once he commits -- the 1.61 B-gap time undersells his burst at the second level. Great field vision tracking blockers and finding space in traffic. Makes decisive zone cuts and trusts his reads. Lines up split out and functions as a legitimate receiver -- consistently finds soft spots in zone coverage on scramble drills. Shows a quality inside pass rush move and good ball awareness in zone drops. Concern: Runs high on both sides of the ball -- upright through contact as a runner and doesn't always drive through tackles on defense. At 6'2" 205 with room to add weight, a college S&C program can address pad level. Projects as a college LB or H-back who can also carry the ball in short yardage. South Dakota offer validates the talent.
The 60 tackles with 6 INTs is an excellent combination showing both ball-hawking ability and willingness to play the run at 6'1" 175 lbs. The 2A competition and size discrepancies between profiles need to be verified, but the two-way production (15 rec/260 yds/4 TDs) and basketball athleticism make him a legitimate small-school sleeper.
The 6'4" 195 lb frame is extremely rare for a DB and gives him a massive physical ceiling — 45 tackles, 3 INTs, and All-Conference honors at 5A Denver East show he can produce against quality competition. The self-reported 4.8 forty is a concern, but if he can get that into the 4.6s as he matures, he becomes a very interesting safety prospect with elite length.
86 tackles with 6 TFL and 5 INTs at 5A Mountain Range is outstanding production that shows both ball skills and physicality against quality competition. The 5'8" frame is a significant limitation for D1 projection, but the tackling numbers and turnover creation at the 5A level can't be ignored — profiles as a potential slot corner or nickel player.
At 6'2" 175 lbs with 66 tackles and 2 INTs in the Centennial League (one of Colorado's strongest 5A conferences), Bradley has the frame and competition-tested production to project as a developmental D1 safety. His basketball background adds footwork and body control, and the All-Centennial League Second Team nod validates his play against quality opponents.
The 4 INTs in only 5 games at free safety show elite ball-hawking instincts, and at 6'2" 190 lbs with verified testing (4.72 forty, 33.6" vert, 4.65 shuttle) he has measurable athleticism. His primary projection is as a QB, but the defensive ability and physical tools suggest a potential DB/ATH conversion at the FCS level.
Cash Lacy is an intriguing developmental QB/ATH prospect with legitimate size (6'2", 190), verified athleticism (4.72-4.78 forty, 33.6" vert, 350 squat), and exciting two-way ability. His late start to football, sub-50% completion rate as a junior, and lack of recruiting attention place him firmly in the FCS/D2 projection range currently, but his physical tools, basketball background, and rapid improvement trajectory give him a meaningful ceiling if he can tighten his accuracy and mechanics during his senior campaign. He profiles as a camp and combine standout who could earn lower-level D1 looks with a strong summer and senior season.
Ideal CB size at 6'2" 175 lbs with 4 INTs, lockdown coverage ability (only 3 catches allowed in 7 games), and two-way versatility on a 9-2 Conifer team. The self-reported 4.6 forty needs camp verification, but the frame, ball skills, and winning program context make him an intriguing developmental corner prospect.
Silar Washer is an intriguing but largely unknown two-way player with ideal CB/WR size (6'2" 175) and multi-sport athleticism. His junior season production on both sides of the ball -- 4 INTs defensively plus 386 all-purpose yards and 5 TDs offensively on a 9-2 team -- suggests a high-motor playmaker, but his self-reported measurables need camp verification and his competition level at Conifer is below elite Colorado programs. He has significant upside if the frame and speed check out, projecting as a developmental FCS or lower-end FBS cornerback prospect who needs immediate camp exposure and verified testing to move the needle with college coaches.
4 INTs in only 5 games at 6'1" with Prep Redzone scout praise for ball tracking and body control is extremely promising production efficiency. At 155 lbs on a 1-9 team with no verified testing, he's a classic sleeper who needs mass and camp exposure, but the INT rate and length give him a legitimate ceiling as a developmental corner.
Cesar Lozano is a long, athletic two-way player with elite ball skills and instincts that far exceed his current recruiting profile. His 4-INT, 1-FR performance in just 5 games as a CB is eye-popping, and the Prep Redzone scout evaluation highlights translatable traits (ball tracking, body control, speed, change of direction). However, at 155-160 lbs with no verified testing data, no offers, and playing for a 1-9 Colorado 3A program, he is a classic small-school sleeper who needs camp exposure, verified measurables, and 20+ pounds of good weight to project as a D1 prospect -- most likely as a CB/safety rather than WR.
All-State First Team in 6-man with 148 tackles, 919 rushing yards, 23 rec/8 TDs, and elite ball skills (7 career INTs) at 6'3" 195 lbs — the raw production and physical frame are undeniable. The 6-man to 11-man translation is the biggest unknown in this entire class, but the size, tackling volume, and two-way dominance warrant serious developmental attention.
Klinzmann is a highly productive 6-man football athlete with intriguing physical traits at 6'3" 195 lbs and legitimate two-way dominance at the small-school level. His All-State First Team selection, 1,300+ all-purpose yards as a junior, and ball-hawking defensive instincts (5 INTs as a sophomore) demonstrate elite talent relative to his competition. However, the massive leap from Colorado 6-man to D1 football requires verified speed testing, exposure at camps/combines, and ideally 11-man film before any FBS/FCS program can seriously evaluate him -- he profiles as an intriguing small-school sleeper who needs to get on the camp circuit immediately.
68 tackles and 6 TFL as a safety show excellent run support and physicality, and the 3 INTs with Prep Redzone 'turnover machine' recognition confirm ball skills and QB-reading ability. The 5'7" frame is a major D1 obstacle, but the tackling production and instincts at 3A could translate to a slot/nickel role at a lower D1 or FCS program.
86 tackles with 8 TFL and 3 INTs (including a pick-six) show outstanding production and versatility at safety, and the multi-sport background adds athletic validation. At 6'0" 150 lbs he desperately needs 30+ pounds of muscle, but the tackling volume and ball skills suggest a high-motor defender who could develop into an FCS-level safety.
The junior breakout of 30 rec/568 yds/12 TDs with 2 INTs on defense shows explosive two-way ability, and his strength numbers are impressive for the 5'10" 170 lb frame. The 3A competition and unverified 4.64 forty limit projection confidence, but the production spike and scoring ability warrant monitoring.
Grady White is a dynamic two-way athlete who exploded as a junior with 12 receiving TDs and showed legitimate ball-hawking ability on defense (4 career INTs). His strength numbers are impressive for his frame, and his track background suggests real speed, but the 4.64 forty is unverified and the 3A Colorado competition level limits projection confidence. He profiles as a potential FCS or D2 recruit who could earn D1 looks with a strong senior campaign, verified speed testing, and camp exposure.
The 6'2" 200 lb frame with 75 tackles, 5 TFL, and 2 INTs at 5A shows a physically projectable safety/LB hybrid with solid production despite playing on an 0-10 team. No verified testing and the weak team context make evaluation difficult, but the size, tackling numbers, and positional versatility at just a junior suggest there's untapped upside here.
Mitchell is a physically intriguing 6'1"-6'2", 195-200 lb two-way athlete with a projectable frame who plays multiple positions on both sides of the ball. However, his production is extremely limited (3 catches, 76 receiving yards as a sophomore), his team is one of the weakest 5A programs in Colorado, and there is no verified athletic testing data or D1-level recruiting interest. He needs a breakout junior season with dramatically improved stats, camp attendance to get verified measurables, and ideally a transfer to a more competitive program to generate legitimate D1 attention.
56 tackles and 3 INTs on defense with 650 rushing yards and Prep Redzone #227 ranking show a dual-threat athlete with DB instincts, but the 6'0" 167 lb frame and declining passing numbers make his position unclear. He needs verified testing and a defined defensive role in his senior year to generate legitimate recruiting interest.
Perkins is an intriguing dual-threat athlete with legitimate rushing production (1,512 career yards, 7.0 YPC, 11 TDs) and the versatility to play multiple positions on both sides of the ball. However, his passing numbers regressed significantly as a junior, his competition level in Colorado 4A is modest, and the complete lack of verified measurables, offers, and recruiting attention entering his senior year makes him a long-shot D1 prospect at quarterback. He projects more realistically as a small-school or FCS athlete/defensive back recruit if he can get verified testing numbers and show improved arm talent in his senior campaign.
60 tackles, 2 INTs, 758 rushing yards (9.1 YPC), and 16 TDs as a multi-position athlete with wrestling toughness (32-4 record) show a competitive, well-rounded player. The 1A competition level and 5'11" 160 lb frame are significant hurdles, but the Prep Redzone Watch List recognition and all-around production make him worth tracking.
Humrich is a dynamic, undersized runner who has shown dramatic improvement each season, culminating in a 758-yard, 16-TD junior campaign at 9.1 YPC with an 80-yard long. He possesses outstanding balance, vision, and acceleration that allow him to break tackles and rip off chunk plays consistently. His two-way value as a ball-hawking safety (8 career INTs) and dangerous return man (2,668 career all-purpose yards) adds significant roster flexibility. The key developmental priority is adding weight to his projectable 5'11" frame -- at 160 lbs he'll need 15-20 more pounds to absorb college-level contact.
48 tackles and 2 INTs show solid defensive production and ball skills, but at 5'8" 150 lbs with minimal Hudl exposure and limited offensive contribution, the physical ceiling is very low for D1 projection. He profiles as a potential D2/D3 nickel corner who needs significant physical development.
53 tackles, 2 INTs, and All-Conference First Team recognition show a productive multi-position athlete (QB/CB/FS) with wrestling toughness at 3A Pagosa Springs. At 5'10" 150 lbs in a rural 3A program with no verified testing, his D1 path is extremely narrow, but the all-around production and competitive multi-sport profile suggest a tough kid who could develop at a smaller program.