Football Class of 2027 Player Rankings: Defensive Backs

Over the next few weeks we will be releasing our Player Rankings for the football Class of 2027. Player rankings are compiled by Bound Wisconsin football writer Travis Wilson and are based on a combination of college potential, recruiting interest/offers, in-person evaluations, film evaluations, coach evaluations, stats, post-season awards, and more.

Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight End/Fullbacks
Offensive Linemen
Defensive Linemen
Edge Defenders
Linebackers

1. Dustin Roach, Catholic Memorial – Roach is one of the top athletes in Wisconsin, and has put up some highlight reel plays in his time at Catholic Memorial. He could have easily been one of the top receivers in our receiver position rankings, catching 25 passes for 703 yards and eight touchdowns last year. He excels in the defensive secondary at safety as well, with five interceptions last season, including two that he returned for touchdowns. He also had 32 tackles and broke up eight passes in his junior season, when he was a First Team All-Conference selection on both sides of the ball.

2. Brady Lee, Aquinas – Lee is another elite safety prospect who will play at the Division 1 level. A First Team All-Conference and WFCA Honorable Mention All-State choice, Lee had 52 tackles, four tackles for loss, and an interception for the Blugolds last season. He also caught 18 passes for 392 yards and five scores. Generally playing in a two-deep alignment, he has good closing skills to drive on the ball and contest passes across the field. However, he’s very capable of flying into the box, or even lining up closer to the line at the snap, and being physical in run support. Lee has given a commitment to North Dakota.

3. Amarie King, Racine Case – King is a ball-hawk in the defensive backfield for the Eagles and head coach Anton Graham, picking off five passes last year along with eight pass breakups. He also had 44 tackles, earning First Team All-Conference recognition in the Southeast Conference. Not only does King do a nice job in pass coverage, he’s very willing to come up in run support and is a physical and aggressive tackler. Offers have come so far from South Dakota and St. Thomas.

4. Christopher Kenesie, Kenosha St. Joseph – Kenesie is the top returning playmaker for last year’s Division 7 state champion St. Joseph. He was the team’s leading rusher with 1,224 yards and 19 touchdowns, caught 24 passes for 374 yards and five scores, and was also a standout on the defensive side of the ball. Kenesie was second on the team with 70 tackles, and among state leaders with seven interceptions. He lines up at safety, where he is able to see the whole field and diagnose the play, coming downhill in a hurry in run support, or finding openings in the secondary to get to the football. Kenesie gave a commitment to Northern Iowa in May.

5. Zy’Aire Smith, Catholic Memorial – Smith is part of a very talented Catholic Memorial secondary, lining up at cornerback for the Crusaders. He was a Second Team All-Conference pick after recording 36 tackles a year ago. He’s outstanding in many coverage, and does an excellent job staying in the hip pocket of the receiver. In zone coverage, he does a nice job reading routes and watching the quarterback to drive on balls in his area. Smith is a multi-dimensional threat, leading the Crusaders in receptions as well, while serving as a weapon in the return game. He holds an offer from Drake.

6. Cooper Borowicz, West De Pere – Borowicz was a defensive standout for a Phantoms team that went undefeated last year and won the Division 2 state title. He was a First Team All-Conference and WFCA All-Region selection a year ago, when he was second on the team with 87 tackles, adding four interceptions as well. From his safety position he was able to patrol the deep half of the field and make plays over the top in the passing game. He also showed a good ability to diagnose and drive on action over the middle. Borowicz recently committed to Northern Michigan.

7. Amarii Ward, Milwaukee Reagan – Amarii teams with twin brother Amir to form a dynamic set of playmakers on both sides of the ball. Amarii was First Team All-Conference as a running back and defensive back a year ago under head coach Greg Roman, when he rushed for 1,099 yards and 17 touchdowns with 203 receiving yards and four more scores. Over on defense, he had 48 tackles with five tackles for loss, four interceptions, and three picks returned for touchdowns. He frequently plays in the box, doing a nice job in run support. He shows range and anticipation to drop into coverage as well. He measured 6’0.5” and 164 pounds with a 4.65-second 40-yard dash time and 10’2” broad jump at the WFCA Combine. Amarii has given a commitment to Minnesota-Duluth.

8. Taylen Czarniak, Muskego – Czarniak was a playmaker in the secondary for the Warriors last season, when he earned First Team All-Conference recognition in the Classic Eight Conference. He was second on the team in tackles with 93, also forcing and recovering a fumble, while picking off a pair of passes, both of which he returned for a touchdown. From his safety position, he does a nice job patrolling the deep middle in pass coverage, but also excels at filling in run support and closing down the alley. He holds offers from Drake and Upper Iowa amongst other interest.

9. Brendan Chenault, Onalaska – Chenault is a very talented athlete that makes an impact across all three phases of the game. As a receiver, he caught 22 passes for 376 yards and three touchdowns last year. He was also a standout on kick returns, including a touchdown. Over on defense he had 48 tackles with three interceptions as well. He plays at corner for the Hilltoppers, where he uses his length and athletic ability to make plays. He earned First Team All-Conference on defense.

10. Evan Wozniak, Arrowhead – Wozniak is an outstanding punter, and has given a commitment to North Dakota State to be part of their special teams in college, but he’s more than just that at the high school level. Playing safety for the Warhawks, he took home First Team All-Conference recognition in the Classic Eight Conference as both a punter and defensive back.

11. Amir Ward, Milwaukee Reagan – Like twin brother Amarii, Amir has given a commitment to play defensive back at Minnesota-Duluth. He’s the team’s quarterback on offense, where he was a First Team All-Conference choice. He was also First Team All-Conference pick on defense as a utility player. While brother Amarii plays as a safety, Amir generally lines up at cornerback, showing good movement skills and ability to stick to a receiver. He had four interceptions last year, and joins Amarii as a Minnesota-Duluth commit.

12. Dominic Ganju, Homestead – It was a very productive season for Ganju in 2026, as he took home First Team All-Conference in the North Shore as well as All-Region honors from the WFCA. He had 50 tackles on the season with three interceptions. He also returned two punts for touchdowns to go with one kick return score. He plays outside at cornerback on defense, with good eye discipline and the speed to run hip-to-hip with receivers and close on the football. He has an offer from UW-Whitewater.

13. Gabe Servais, La Crosse Central – Servais was a part-time quarterback and also running back for the Riverhawks a year ago, accounting for more than 1200 yards of total offense. He was also a standout on defense, leading the team with 67 tackles to go with four interceptions. Generally lined up at safety, he had a knack for finding the football all over the field. He holds offers from St. Thomas, Drake, and UW-Whitewater.

14. Rex Helms, Bay Port – Helms took home Second Team All-Conference recognition in the FRCC-North last year when he had 38 tackles and was among state leaders with eight interceptions on the season, despite missing a couple regular season contests. He plays safety for the Pirates, roaming the center of the field in pass coverage. Offers have come via Northern Michigan, UW-Eau Claire, and UW-River Falls.

15. Mason Thoen, Waterford – Thoen was second on the Wolverines with 63 tackles last season from his safety position. He’s a big, physical presence in the back of the defense, and does an excellent job filling downhill in run support. He also picked off a pair of passes and forced two fumbles.