Freshman Finds: Five 2025 DBs

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The earlier a player’s recruiting process starts, the greater their chances of receiving an offer from a college program. Some freshmen players manage to stand out immediately, while others work diligently at building their reputations.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Not every freshman gets the opportunity to take the field with the varsity team under the lights on Friday nights, but that does not mean that there is a shortage of talent on the first-year level.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Below is a list of five freshmen defensive backs who have promising futures on the horizon.</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="232189" first="Aiden" last="Knapke"] | Cherry Creek | 5’11”, 180lbs | FS</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Knapke is already looking like an absolute stud at safety at such an early stage in his career. He has smooth and fluid movements, good eyes, and excellent instincts that help to make him a ball-hawking member of the secondary. In addition to being a great pass defender, Knapke is also a vicious hitter who initiates devastating contact. Knapke’s debut season ended with a 5A state championship, making him a player worth investing in early.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/AidenKnapke/status/1468416961264578563?s=20&t=LJPjBUCqwleIaUDyqOPbhw[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="251310" first="Brock" last="Narva"] | Chatfield | 5’10”, 170lbs | SAF/CB</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Narva is a two-way player with an abundance of talent coming off of a 4A state championship. Defensively, he possesses the versatility needed to play as a true safety or a nickel corner. He is the type of athlete who flies around the field and always manages to end up wherever the ball is. Narva is a phenomenal athlete who has great speed and excellent playmaking abilities.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/brock_narva/status/1476807236571652097?s=20&t=LJPjBUCqwleIaUDyqOPbhw[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="251312" first="MJ" last="Hayes"] | Grandview | 5’8”, 135lbs | CB</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Hayes is a young player with advanced skills and a bright future. He is a highly technical corner who displays patience against the release by maintaining a foot-first mentality while keeping his eyes locked on the hips of his opponents. He does well at playing in-phase and maintaining inside leverage from start to finish. Hayes is in a situation where he has to bide his time, but the wait is worth it with a ceiling as high as his.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/MJHayes_shifty/status/1509956069988175880?s=20&t=LJPjBUCqwleIaUDyqOPbhw[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="276508" first="James" last="Basinger"] | Columbine | 5’9”, 165lbs | SAF</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Basinger is another two-way player with phenomenal potential as a legitimate athlete. He moves exceptionally well as a safety and uses instincts to make plays on the ball. His physicality makes him a great addition to bring to the box for run support. He is versatile enough to match up against a receiver in man coverage or play zone as a corner or safety. Basinger is already an instant standout when he is on the field, and he is just getting started.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/BasingerJames25/status/1493721029897691138?s=20&t=LJPjBUCqwleIaUDyqOPbhw[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Josiah Piercy | Dakota Ridge | DB</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Piercy is a scrappy player who popped up onto the scene by competing in 7-on-7 matches this offseason. He has shown significant promise as a corner who has what it takes to play in man coverage and zone coverage. Piercy is another first-year player who has begun to stand out, making him a player to watch as his career unfolds.</span>