Sky’s The Limit Camp: Defensive Backs

By Platform Scout:  Marc Henry @marchen44

Defensive backs are some the best athletes to step in between the lines on the gridiron. They have to have a strong mindset combined with a competitive drive to make plays and understand that they will get beat but learn from it and make adjustments from play to play. The Sky’s The Limit Camp brought out some the top pass catchers in the country and the state of Texas. The defensive backs, coached by Coach Flight, held their own and proved that they are top defenders as they prepare for camp season. Here are several standout defensive backs that you need to know.

Caleb Cruz | Class of 2027 | Odessa Permian High School (Tx.) | @calebcruz2027

Cruz is technically sound, he transitions into his backpedal smoothly, he plays fast and his ability to change directions quickly, allows him to be in position to make plays on the ball in coverage. He is a sticky defender who plays well in press coverage, he gets hands on receivers early and his ability to stay in phase and mirror his opponent in coverage enables him to shut down passing windows. Cruz showed his competitiveness throughout the camp in the 1v1s, stepping up and taking rep after rep, not losing his focus. He is calm but aggressive, staying even keel and this enabled him to win reps against some top competition. Cruz was starter for Permian as a freshman and returns as one the top defenders in the 2027 class in Texas. UTEP offered recently and he should see more schools come to the table with offers heading into the fall season.

CJ Evans | Class of 2027 | Connally High School (Tx.) | @2wayCJ

CJ has clean footwork, he plays with great leverage, he has the quickness to shift his weight and cut quickly and he was a stout defender in the 1v1s versus some of the top wideouts at the Sky’s The Limit Camp on Sunday. He has a stout frame, with long arms and he plays with good patience, not biting on multiple fakes from receivers. Evans has the speed to run vertically with receivers and challenge them downfield and he had several pass breakups on deep balls for incompletions during the 1v1s. One of the most impressive traits in Evans’s skill set is his ability to have late hands at the ball’s arrival and swipe passes away to cause incompletions. He had multiple pass breakups in coverage and he tracks the ball well in flight. Evans a had a great showing and he is a defensive prospect to keep an eye on in the class of 2027.

Sylas Chester | Class of 2028 | Frisco Memorial High School (Tx.) | @SylasChester

Chester has good short area quickness, he transitions smoothly into his backpedal, he has flexible hips that enable him to flip and change directions quickly. At first glance, these were several traits that stuck out in his game at the Sky’s The Limit Camp. He has disciplined eyes, which enables him to stay locked on his opponent and he was able to mirror receivers in coverage, staying locked at the hip in close quarters. Chester used sound technique and sticky hands in press coverage to knock down several passes. Sylas held his own against some top receivers who are playing at the high school level and showed that he has the skill set that as he matures, his game will level up with him. He is a name to know in the class of 2028.

Chance Collins | Class of 2026 | Mansfield Timberview (Tx.) | @chancec2026

Collins has a long, lean, athletic frame, with an extended reach and he uses his length well in close quarters to shut down passing lanes. Chance has the frame combined with clean footwork that allows him to get hands on receivers early in their routes and he has the speed to run in stride with receivers downfield, playing the ball well in flight. Collins is an athlete and he took reps on both sides of the ball, making plays, showing the athleticism to be a playmaker no matter where he lines up. He has a large catch radius with strong hands that engulf the ball and he made an over the shoulder grab on the sideline that was one of his highlight catches of the day. At 6’1 180 pounds, Collins uses his frame well in close coverage to wall off defenders and he has the speed to get deep and make plays. Collins has an offer from Arkansas State and should see more attention this at Timberview as he heads into the fall season.

Braylon Davis | Class of 2027 | Waxahachie High School | @brayblessed