Rivals Rankings Week: Breaking down the 2025 defensive backs
With the updated 2025 Rivals250 being unveiled Tuesday, it's time to look at the updated position rankings. The offensive position rankings were released Wednesday and today the defensive position rankings are in the spotlight. Up next are the defensive backs.
NEW 2025 POSITION RANKINGS: Pro-Style QB | Dual-Threat QB | Running Back | All-Purpose Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Offensive Tackle | Offensive Guard | Center | Defensive Tackle | Weakside Defensive End | Strongside Defensive End | Inside Linebacker | Outside Linebacker | Cornerback | Safety | Athlete
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RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK
Sunday: Who should be No. 1?
Monday: Five-Star Countdown | Meet the new five-stars
Tuesday: New Rivals250 unveiled | Gorney's thoughts | Biggest movers
Wednesday: New offensive position rankings released | QB rankings spotlight | RB rankings spotlight | WR/TE rankings spotlight | OL rankings spotlight
Thursday: New defensive position rankings released | DL rankings spotlight | LB rankings spotlight | DB rankings spotlight | ATH rankings spotlight
Friday: New state rankings released | Breaking down state rankings
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FINAL 2023 TEAM RANKINGS: Comprehensive (overall) ranking | High school/JUCO ranking | Transfer portal ranking
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer portal player ranking | Transfer portal team ranking | Transfer Tracker | Message board
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Who's No. 1?
Sanchez keeps his spot as the top-ranked defensive back in the 2025 recruiting cycle — and for good reason. Sanchez is a long defender with an impressive 6-foot-3 and 170-pound frame on the back end of the defense.
He is a legitimate lockdown player in the secondary with strong ball skills and the willingness to defend the run. Sanchez has played on the biggest of stages on the high school level in Texas, including in the state title game, and has more than held his own versus elite-level pass catchers during his career.
Sanchez is being courted by power programs such as Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M and USC, among others.
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Movers & Shakers
Jonah Williams: Williams was elevated to five-star status in the latest Rivals rankings update, largely thanks to his versatility to play all over the defense. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Williams has the frame to eventually move to linebacker by the time that he makes the move to the next level. Regardless of where he plays, Williams is often the best player on the field thanks to his coverage, sideline ability and playmaking, evidenced by three pick sixes as a sophomore.
Martels Carter: Carter is one of the biggest risers in the latest rankings update, jumping up 97 spots and inside the top 100. The Kentucky defensive back is a two-way player and shows strong ball skills at receiver and in the secondary. He finds ways to make good things happen wherever he lines up. SEC programs such as Georgia, Florida, Ole Miss and Tennessee are in the early picture.
Cortez Thomas: Thomas moved up double-digit spots after performing well during his sophomore season and carrying that momentum over to the 7-on-7 circuit this past offseason. Thomas is a bigger, physical corner that will stick his nose in the run game while also making plays in coverage. Mississippi State and Ole Miss are among those involved for the Magnolia State defender.
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Top classes so far
