The Class of 2028 in Texas high school football boasts an impressive array of talent, reflecting a wide range of skills among emerging athletes.

Presented below is a list of the leading cornerback and safety recruits, recognized for their outstanding performances and potential. Furthermore, we have identified additional noteworthy recruits to monitor as we look forward to the upcoming fall season of 2025, during which these athletes will have the opportunity to further showcase their abilities and potentially enhance their rankings.

Top Five 2028 Defensive back Recruits

Photo credit: sixstarfootball.com

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

Foster is undoubtedly among the most sought-after recruits in the Class of 2028, not only within Texas but also across the country. Currently, he has received a total of 19 Division I offers from prestigious programs, including Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M, highlighting his impressive size, skills, and athleticism. In 2024, he was recognized as the Defensive Newcomer of the Year in Texas District 11-6A during his freshman year, an impressive feat given the competitive nature of football in the Lone Star State. James is an agile and lengthy defender with an extended frame and reach, demonstrating excellent coverage capabilities in the backfield. He possesses a unique ability to create turnovers and effectively transition them into scoring opportunities or advantageous positions for the offense near the red zone. Foster is poised to establish himself as one of the nation’s elite talents.

#2. Cordey Sherman, CB, Dekaney, 5-11, 145

Sherman has become a prominent figure among many leading college football programs. His recognition as the Defensive Newcomer of the Year during his freshman year significantly bolstered his profile within Texas’s District 14-6A in 2024. As previously noted in May during our discussion of the top emerging defensive backs in the class of 2028, Sherman’s recruitment has surged from six initial offers to a total of 16 Division I offers. Institutions extending offers include Arizona State, Baylor, Mississippi State, Oregon State, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest. Cordey exhibits exceptional field awareness and possesses the ability to convert interceptions into touchdowns, showcasing remarkable speed, agility, ball-handling skills, and overall athleticism. Anticipate Sherman to rank among the elite in his class and to gain national recognition.

photo: Royce Bimage, credit Cade Draughon texasags.com

#3. Royce Bimage, CB, Dickinson, 6-0 / 160

Among the recruits in the class of 2028, Bimage has likely experienced the most significant rise in interest. This summer, he received six Division I scholarship offers from prominent programs, including the Texas Longhorns, Miami, Louisville, Arkansas, Houston, Texas A&M, and Arizona State for the 2024 season. While there is limited footage available of Bimage, it is evident that college coaches have recognized his exceptional potential and are actively cultivating relationships with him, as he has the potential to emerge as one of the top cornerbacks in the nation for his class. Bimage is certainly a prospect to watch, as he may soon accumulate numerous accolades and offers.

Photo credit: Jason Howell, texags.com

#4. Brock Lacy, S, North Crowley, 6-1 / 185

Brock has garnered significant attention with offers from six institutions, including SMU, Texas State, and Virginia Tech, due to his impressive size, skills, and overall talent. He is recognized as a formidable run stopper who embraces contact and consistently makes tackles, including tackles for loss. Lacy showcases both explosiveness and agility, establishing himself as a comprehensive defender whose recruitment prospects are expected to increase in the upcoming years.

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

— Brock Lacy (@BrockLacy6) November 17, 2024

#5. Kalen Simmons, S, Iowa Colony, 6-1 / 170

Kalen has received six Division I scholarship offers from prestigious institutions, including Kentucky, Baylor, and Oregon State, among others. He is a versatile defender capable of playing three positions: cornerback, safety, and linebacker. His exceptional open field tackling, run-stopping skills, and physical presence enhance his defensive capabilities. Known for his impactful tackling, Simmons effectively disrupts ball carriers and establishes a formidable presence on the defensive line.

Watchlist and Honorable Mentions

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

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

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

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

D’iris Patterson , DB , Terry Ms , 5-6 / 120

Jaylen Sheppard , DB , Midway , 5-9 / 145

Kenyon Jenkins-Hamilton , DB , Spring

Brendan Neal , DB , North Shore , 5-7 / 125

Karson Brown , DB , , 5-9 / 150

Brandon Derrough-Harris , CB , Royse City , 5-11 / 140

King Crenshaw , DB / ATH , Skyline , 5-4 / 130

Jonathan Stuckey II , DB / ATH , Duncanville

Zarien Adolphe , DB / ATH , Mance Pence MS , 6′ /180

Xavier Daggs , DB / ATH , Longview , 6′ / 155

Denim Steed , DB , Stafford , 5-11 / 155

Aspen Williams , DB , Cleveland , 6-3 / 160

Dakari Hamilton , DB , Dobie Middle School , 5-9 / 135

Juan Hernandez , DB , North Shore , 6-1 / 160