CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
For the 2025 season, Mansoor Delane accumulated 45 tackles, 11 passes defensed and two interceptions while allowing a completion percentage of just 26.1% on 200-plus coverage snaps. Quarterbacks practically stopped throwing to his side of the field during the final four games of the 2025 slate with Delane's rare coverage instincts and route recognition. The first-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-SEC player switches up and delays release timing to not provide a tell by opening his hips too early and he blankets routes. He anticipates breaks and has the quick-twitch athleticism to mirror. Delane had zero penalties during his LSU tenure and only allowed just two receptions of 20-plus yards across the 2025 campaign.
S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
The Jim Thorpe Award winner and first-team Associated Press All-American was used interchangeably in Ohio State's system, primarily at strong safety and nickel. Caleb Downs disrupts near the line of scrimmage and is proficient against the run, mirroring rushers. He mitigates swing passes to backs in the flat and flies like his hair is on fire to blow up horizontal stretch run plays. He plays with superb instincts and leaves the Buckeyes with 257 career tackles, six interceptions, 12 passes defensed and three forced fumbles. Downs is a quick processor and is adept at matching up against tight ends in man.
CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Jermod McCoy put a sensational campaign on tape in 2024 but a torn ACL forced him to miss the entire 2025 season. McCoy thrives in press coverage and nabbed 16 passes defensed and six interceptions from 2023 to 2024. He is patient during releases without showing hip declaration too early and has fluid change-of-direction. McCoy pairs elite ball skills with effective closing burst, manipulating quarterbacks into throws with apparent window/cushion. He is physical at the catch point and although an injury robbed him of a third season, McCoy's ball production is innate.
S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
The downhill safety quickly triggers and amassed 77 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and five pass breakups last season. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren plays with outstanding awareness and is a rangy tackler. He is adept at navigating through traffic to constrict run lanes and covers ground quickly with long strides. McNeil-Warren has mastered the art of the 'peanut punch' and thrives when reading the quarterback's progressions to drive on throws underneath. He is effective at patrolling zones and setting the tone against the run.
S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
The do-it-all chess piece lined up at free safety, strong safety and in the box. Dillon Thieneman racked up 99 total tackles, four pass breakups and 30 run stops in 2025 en route to first-team All-Big Ten recognition and first-team All-American honors. He produced over 300 tackles throughout his three-year career and has the 4.35-second speed to roll into robber positioning. Thieneman combines relentless pursuit with an understanding of run tracks to meet the rusher. He breaks on underneath routes with no wasted movement and has the ability to cover sideline-to-sideline. Defenses that run a variety of coverage structures and task defensive backs with cross-training and adjusting in-game will gravitate towards Thieneman's resumé.
CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
Colton Hood continues to rise on mock drafts and has the speed to stay phased with vertical threats. He had a breakout year in 2025 with 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups and became the first SEC player to return both an interception and a fumble for a touchdown in the same season. Hood plays with physicality at the catch space and a powerful two-hand jam that disorients receivers. He stays disciplined against double moves and plays with a fiery disposition. Hood has the ability to play isolated along the boundary in man or in Cover Two working the flats.
CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Avieon Terrell plays with aggression in the run game and as a blitzer. He concluded the 2025 campaign with 46 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 11 pass breakups and five forced fumbles that became a program single-season record for a defensive back. He has some of the best eyes in zone of the 2026 class, jumping routes with precision. Terrell quickly accelerates to top speed and his 4.4-agility shows up in closing windows. He lined up in press, off coverage and zone matching for Clemson – performing all at a high level. Terrell adjusts and finds the football downfield, activating attack mode.
