Rivals Five-Star: Key DB storylines heading into Indianapolis
The Rivals Five-Star is being held June 23-24 at the Indianapolis Colts’ practice facility. Here are four defensive back storylines we’re following heading into the biggest event of the summer.
THE U IS WELL-REPRESENTED
Of the 10 committed defensive backs competing in Indy, two are committed to Miami. That includes four-star cornerback Jaelen Waters and versatile four-star Jontavius Wyman, who can line up inside or out and can also patrol back deep.
There will be two current Miami verbals on hand — and potentially more representing The U before long. Top Hurricanes targets like four-stars Blake Stewart, Tamarion Watkins, Samari Matthews and Michigan-committed cornerback Brody Jennings are also set to compete.
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MORE IRISH BUZZ IN INDY
Four-star cornerback Chaston Smith will be one of five Notre Dame verbal commitments competing in the Rivals Five-Star — and that number just went up after Rivals250 safety Joey O’Brien committed to the Irish to kick off his official visit to South Bend this weekend.
No team has come on stronger this off-season with O’Brien than Notre Dame, which edged out Clemson and others for the touted blue-chipper from Pennsylvania. He will represent a big Irish contingent in Indianapolis this week.
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POTENTIAL GAMECOCK TANDEM AT SAFETY
Four-star safety J’Zavien Currence is a Rivals Five-Star alum after competing last year in Jacksonville. The South Carolina commit out of the Palmetto State is one of two future Gamecocks set to take the field in Indy.
That number could be three before the end of the summer. Currence will be joined by four-star safety Tamarion Watkins — also out of South Carolina — who is a top target for the Gamecocks. Watkins has logged official visits to Miami, Texas A&M, Georgia and South Carolina this past weekend — with the latter as the favorite in the clubhouse for the versatile defender.
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SEVERAL CORNERBACKS ON FLIP WATCH
Elite 2026 cornerbacks Zyan Gibson and Brody Jennings committed to Alabama and Michigan last year, respectively. Gibson popped in-state to the Tide on Christmas Eve — and Jennings committed to the Wolverines this time last summer.
A year later, both blue-chip cornerbacks are top flip targets.
Gibson is still considering both Ole Miss and Tennessee. His father played in Oxford and the Vols were a finalist before he pledged to Alabama. Jennings has logged official visits to Miami and Florida both as the Sunshine State programs work to change the Big Ten commit’s mind.
