Rivals Camp Series: The five best DBs of the 2025 regionals
The regional stops of the Rivals Camp Series are in the books with the Rivals Five-Star at the Indianapolis Colts’ practice facility coming up later this month.
Today, we conclude our look at the best players at each position through the regional events with the defensive backs.
JAYDEN APARICIO-BAILEY – Atlanta
Aparicio-Bailey won reps playing in press and playing off coverage in Atlanta — en route to being crowned Defensive Back MVP. The 2027 blue-chipper out of Oak Mountain (Ala.) High has the attention of Clemson and programs across the SEC, including South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, Alabama and LSU.
In Atlanta, Aparicio-Bailey was sound rotating and flipping his hips, sticky in coverage and aggressive making plays on the football. Our first live eval of Aparicio-Bailey was through the roof — as a defensive back capable of playing cornerback, safety or nickel.
CENSERE GAYLORD – Los Angeles
Gaylord stood out in Los Angeles among another star-studded field. We were impressed by the four-star’s ability to mirror receivers in coverage and then turn and run in coverage. Gaylord was one of several 2027 defensive backs to turn heads over the course of the Rivals Camp Series. He has plus length on his frame and speed to stick in coverage. There is still plenty of room for him to fill out his frame.
USC, SMU, Auburn and Texas all offered this offseason.
DAVONTRAE KIRKLAND – Dallas
Kirkland is a hybrid defensive back with the skill-set to work in and at cornerback and safety with length, quickness and also downfield speed to stick in coverage. We saw all of that and more in Dallas. Kirkland, who also shines as a receiver for Waco (Texas) University High, has a fantastic make-up to be a safety on Saturdays. The four-star prospect committed to Baylor on Saturday.
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NASCAR MCCOY – Atlanta
McCoy was sharp in coverage in Atlanta and was in contention for MVP honors. The 2026 four-star safety from Buford (Ga.) High School is instinctual and sound in coverage on the back end and his experience playing cornerback at the high school level is a key element to his game. McCoy came away with several interceptions in Atlanta. Miami, Auburn and Michigan are all after the four-star safety.
JERRY OUTHOUSE, JR. – Dallas
Outhouse Jr. took home MVP honors in Dallas out of a loaded field of talented defensive backs. Outhouse was sticky in coverage, able to turn and run with an array of different pass-catchers. We loved the four-star defensive back’s ability to quickly close on passes with intensity. Outhouse’s physicality on the back end — able to play off and cover inside and out at a consistent clip — in addition to getting his hands on several balls along the way. We project the 2027 four-star as a safety at the next level.
SMU, Notre Dame and Tennessee are among the early teams in play here.