Across the nation, elite defensive back recruits are being acknowledged and pursued by prestigious college programs. In Texas, high school football consistently produces exceptional cornerbacks and safety prospects year after year. To maintain a competitive advantage, numerous college football programs are proactively recruiting underclassmen, including those from the class of 2028, at an early stage. Below are some of the prominent emerging defensive back recruits, alongside many other prospects who are poised to become highly regarded and sought-after by universities competing for playoff and national championships.

Top Five Defensive Backs in Texas

Photo credit: sixstarfootball.com

James Foster III, S, Lancaster, 6-1 / 175

Foster may very well be on of the most recruited class of 2028 recruits not only in Texas but throughout the nation. With 17 total Division I offers as of this moment from schools like Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and many others, James has caught the attention of the top programs nationwide with his size, ability, and talents. In 2024, in Texas District 11-6A James earned Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a freshman. Not an easy accomplishment and very competitive here in the Lone Star State. James is a lengthy athletic defender with a long frame and arms. He has full range of the back half of the field and has a knack for coming up with turnovers and turning them into points or setting up the offense with a preferred position close to the redzone. Look for Foster to be one of the elite in the nation.

What an honor!! Blessed to be a part of a great program. I am excited for the future.
@LancasterFBwebo @coachqwalker @Coach_Muhammed @KWhitley20 @TheCoachPaul7 @coach_fears pic.twitter.com/Oo5U6S7iJr

— James Foster III (@2wayFoster) December 18, 2024

Cordey Sherman, CB, Dekaney, 5-11, 145

Sherman is on the radar for many of college football’s top programs. Earning Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a freshman certainly helped his case in Texas’s District 14- 6A in 2024. This year should be no different, and Sherman should see his total of six Division I offers skyrocket. Schools that have offered include Arizona State, Baylor, Mississippi State, Oregon State, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forrest. Cordey has elite awareness of the field and is a ballhawk who can turn INT’s into touchdowns with his flashes of blazing speed, agility, ball skills, and overall total athleticism. Look for Sherman to be among the best in his class and be a name known nationwide.

Photo credit: Jason Howell, texags.com

Brock Lacy, S, North Crowley, 6-1 / 185

With offers from SMU, Texas State, Virginia Tech, and others (6 total) Brock has turned heads and caught attention for his size, ability, and talent. A run stopper who is not afraid of contact and can rack up tackles as well as tackles for losses. Explosive and twitchy, Lacy is a solid all-around defender whose recruiting stock will continue to grow in the years to come.

Film from last 2 games “freshman on varsity” thank god every day?? pic.twitter.com/8qzW3QDe0D

— Brock Lacy (@BrockLacy6) November 17, 2024

Kalen Simmons, S, Iowa Colony, 6-1 / 170

Kalen has six total Division I offers from schools like Kentucky, Baylor, Oregon State, and others. A hybrid defender who could play three positions on defense at corner, safety or even linebacker with his excellent open field tackling, run-stopping ability, and size. Talk about using the hitstick, Simmons can lay the lumber on ball carriers and sets the tone on defense.

Photo credit: 247sports.com

Jacob Pillard, S, Poteet, 5-11 / 178

Texas State, UTSA, and UNLV have all offered Jacob. A safety who can cover sideline to sideline and displays excellent footwork and technique for a defensive back with a smooth backpedal and hip fluidity. Jacob does a great job of keeping his eyes on the quarterback to come up with turnovers or big time plays that his defense needs.

Honorable Mentions

Dominic Butler, CB, Allen , 6-0 / 170

Antonio Dural, CB, Klein Oak , 5-10 / 170

Nolan Hawkins, S, Byron Nelson , 6-0 / 190

Jordan Hall, CB, Aledo, 5-10 / 165

Royce Bimage, CB, Dickinson, 6-0 / 160

Terrel Stinson, S, Clear Lake , 5-9 / 160

Jacob Thompson, S, Sanger, 6-2 / 165

Antonio Dural, DB, Klein Oak, 5-11 / 170

Looking Foward

Look for all of these Texas High School class of 2028 defensive backs to continue making their names known on a national level and become some of the country’s best. These young athletes are not only showcasing their skills on the field but are also working hard to establish their reputations and legacies in the highly competitive world of high school football. Here are a few others that we believe you should know about, as they are making significant strides in their development and performance. We won’t reveal all of them just yet; you’ll have to stay tuned to see which other top young lockdown corners and safeties could easily become elite in the coming years. Their journeys are just beginning, and the excitement surrounding their potential is palpable. Keep an eye on these rising stars as they continue to impress and make headlines in the football community.