Breaking down the top defensive back classes early on in the 2027 cycle
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We’ve already seen multiple programs throw some serious hay in the barn when it comes to building a top 2027 recruiting class. Locking down blue-chip defensive back recruits has been an early priority.
According to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies, 12 of the top 40 cornerbacks and 12 of the top 33 safeties in the 2027 cycle are already committed.
Rivals is breaking down which teams have the best defensive back hauls in the nation thus far:
Texas A&M
Texas A&M now has the No. 1 class in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, as of April 1. There’s four defensive backs in the mix for Mike Elko and Ishmael Aristide, three of whom could finish the cycle as a five-star.
Across the first 16 days of November, A&M landed commitments from Hampton (Ga.) five-star safety Kamarui Dorsey, Baltimore St. Frances Academy four-star cornerback Raylaun Henry and Waxahachie (Texas) four-star safety JayQuan Snell.
Dorsey was a four-star upon making his decision and has since vaulted into five-star status. He’s now the No. 19 overall prospect and top-ranked safety in the nation.
Henry and Snell could both eventually reach five-star status, too. The former is now the No. 29 recruit and No. 5 corner, while the latter checks in as the No. 42 recruit and No. 2 safety. San Antonio Brandeis three-star CB Hakim Frampton is also in the mix and has been since September.
Notre Dame
No program is associated with early recruiting wins more than Notre Dame. Marcus Freeman and Co. have compiled a top-10 class early in South Bend and a trio of blue-chip defensive backs help headline the haul.
Raleigh (N.C.) Cardinal Gibbons four-star cornerback Xavier Hasan chose ND back in December and he remains atop the class, now checking in as the No. 54 recruit and No. 7 corner. The Irish have recruited the state of North Carolina very well as of late.
The same can be said for Ohio, and that’s where the Irish went to land Cincinnati Anderson four-star CB Ace Alston. The No. 91 recruit and No. 12 CB in the nation, Alston pledged six days prior to Hasan and the pair form one of, if not the best cornerback duo in the cycle.
Going across the country, Tustin (Calif.) four-star safety Khalil Terry jumped in the mix back in November. He’s the No. 17 safety and No. 16 recruit in the Golden State.
USC
Lincoln Riley and the Trojans are in the mix to sign the nation’s No. 1 class once again in the 2027 cycle. Two elite cornerbacks and a standout athlete are among USC’s biggest wins on the trail thus far.
It remains to be seen what position San Diego Cathedral Catholic five-star athlete Honor Fa’alave-Johnson will play at the next level, but there’s a very real chance he becomes a top DB in Los Angeles. The No. 18 overall prospect and No. 1 in-state recruit chose USC on March 14.
March also saw the Trojans land Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star cornerback Danny Lang, the No. 75 recruit and No. 10 corner nationally. He’s one of the next best to come out of one of, if not the top high school football program in the country.
On the other side of the country, IMG Academy (Fla.) four-star CB Aaryn Washington has been committed since January. He’s now the No. 87 recruit and No. 11 corner in the cycle.
Oklahoma
Brent Venables and the Sooners already have a whopping 20 commits in their 2027 class and are pushing for the top spot in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Commits in the secondary aren’t at the top of the class but they are in the fold.
Mobile (Ala.) Williamson four-star safety Jaylen Scott is a former Auburn commit who chose OU last month on March 7. He’s a top-200 recruit and the No. 18 safety in the cycle.
San Antonio Johnson four-star cornerback Mikhail McCreary has been in the class since September and remains locked in. His stock has been on the rise and he’s now the No. 35 corner in the nation. Phoenix Desert Edge three-star CB Mikyal Davis joined the fold in November and is the No. 11 recruit in Arizona.
Louisville
Led by Jeff Brohm and Vince Marrow, Louisville is on track to sign one of its top recruiting classes in program history. Local prospects in the secondary bolster the nine-man haul to date.
Louisville Trinity four-star cornerback Allen Evans chose the Cards on Jan. 10 during the Navy All-American Bowl. He’s the top-ranked commit in the class, checking in as the No. 109 recruit and No. 13 CB in the nation.
Louisville then went over to Lexington and swiped a pledge from Bryan Station four-star safety Jordan Haskins. A top-25 safety in the Rivals300, Haskins committed last month on March 6. Evans and Haskins are two of the top six recruits in Kentucky this cycle.
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