Peyton Waters owns the heavy three-phase snaps that foster long-term developmental upside. Not only does that high school versatility enhance ball skills, but it fuels awareness and football sense. Waters is sneaky explosive because of a longer stride that aids build-up speed, but he frequently shows sudden burst in run-after-catch situations. Additionally, Waters plays with a wiry strength coupled with that RAC creativity to produce consistent big-play juice. All of those offensive and special teams reps only make his defensive potential higher, and he’s already flashed encouraging coverage ability in numerous corner reps.
In fact, while we project Waters as a lean, rangy, territory-spanning safety, I think he could certainly provide a boundary corner option given his awareness, frame, and ball skills. Waters, who’s played basketball and competed in track and field, capped his Van Nuys (Calif.) Birmingham career with a stellar senior campaign: 79 catches, 1,248 yards and 17 TDs; 113 rushing yards and three TDs; and 64 tackles, two INTs, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. — Brooks
MARCUS NEAL, S, IOWA STATE
One of the best pure football players on this list, Iowa State signee Marcus Neal earned Missouri Class 5 Defensive Player of the Year honors from the state’s coaches association, in addition to all-conference first-team accolades on both sides of the ball. Pushing 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Neal owns good length with a wingspan longer than 6-foot-4 and impressive functional athleticism across all scenarios on the gridiron. He also checks the multi-sport box with limited track and field reps in the 100 meters, long jump, and triple jump.
Neal represents a highly instinctive back-end playmaker who could potentially fit multiple safety or nickel roles at the next level. His prodigious senior season saw him produce 1,000-plus scrimmage yards, 11 receiving touchdowns, four rushing TDs, 90-plus tackles, and five interceptions. Neal jumps from a strong three-star 86 rating to a four-star 90 grade on 247Sports. — Brooks
