National Signing Day 2012: Tracking the Top 25 Defensive Back Prospects

With so many programs throwing the ball with so much ease and sophistication, defensive backs are growing in demand.

Corners and safeties are seeing their lines of separation blur, as all DBs need to be able to cover and play the pass these days.

Just going to continue with the tracker, this time for DBs. Let's run through this one quickly.

25. Brandon Beaver (Uncommitted)

The latest with Beaver is that he is down to a final six of Cal, Washington, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Utah and Arizona.

24. Nick Barratti (Notre Dame)

Barratti played QB as a prep star, but could wind up as a safety in South Bend. He could get a look at QB, but with Gunner Kiel there, I think he ends as a solid SS.

23. Deion Bonner (Tennessee)

Bonner committed to Tennessee about two weeks ago, over Auburn, Clemson, Southern Miss, FSU and Florida. He will likley play safety in Knoxville. 

22. Armani Reeves (Ohio State)

Reeves took a trip to Ohio State two weeks ago and yesterday, he committed. He's a Buckeye and will sign on Wednesday. 

21. Reggie Daniels (Oregon)

Daniels has a 6'2", 185-pound frame that shows big growth potential. He likely will use his talent on defense as a safety that can lay the wood at Oregon. 

20. Jarrod Wilson (Michigan)

Wilson is a big 6'2" safety with great range and ball skills. He has natural interceptor instincts that will always stick with him, to which Michigan will gladly accept.

19. Josh Holsey (Auburn)

No change to Holsey's tracker, he's headed to The Plains. Auburn will like his quickness and speed on the defensive perimeter. 

18. Marcus Maye (Florida)

Maye's headed to Florida where he will likely be a safety. He can factor on the backend at FS or SS and has solid speed, instincts and plays big. 

17. Kenneth Marshall (Texas A&M)

Marshall will be loved by his teammates in College Station for his willingness to support the run form the back end. He can play safety or even some big nickel linebacker.

16. P.J. Williams (Florida State)

Williams is a 6'1", 170-pound safety prospect with great feet and athleticism. He's committed to Florida State, but has wavered some. Yet he'll likely still sign with the Seminoles. 

15. Bryson Echols (Texas)

Echols is a heady corner that plays well in off-man and zone. He'll stick well on the flanks and carry WRs all around the field. Texas will dig him. 

14. Terry Richardson (Michigan)

Richardson is one of those types of CBs that as a WR, you see him and say "I'm going to have a field day". Then the 3rd quarter comes and you look up to realize that you haven't been able to shake him all day. He's bound for Michigan. 

13. Ishmael Adams (UCLA)

Adams is locked into his UCLA pledge firm and cold. He was bantered by your's truly as underrated in the process, but is starting to get some love.

12. Elijah Shumate (Notre Dame)

Shumate announced for ND earlier this month and nothing has changed. He can play either SS or OLB in South Bend, and I think he can make an impact in the short term. 

11. Kendall Sanders (Texas)

Sanders de-committed from Oklahoma State in favor of Texas last December. He then took that momentum to the Army game and showed out well. He could play WR in Austin.

10. Geno Smith (Alabama)

Smith and his 6'0", 165-pound frame could see early playing time at Alabama next season. No change here.

9. Tee Shepard (Notre Dame)

Shepard has enrolled at Notre Dame already and should be good to go for spring practices. He wavered a bit towards USC, but he's all Irish now. 

8. Yuri Wright (Colorado)

Wright made big time headlines this past week and learned not to go too far on Twitter. He also announced for Colorado. 

7. Travis Blanks (Clemson)

Blanks is solid to Clemson. No wavering or re-thinking, and he's also not too fazed about Kevin Steele being replaced. 

6. LaDarrell McNeil (Tennessee)

McNeil can lay the wood and lay you out easily. He's solid to Tennessee now and will sign with the Vols on Wednesday. 

5. Tracy Howard (Miami)

UPDATE: Howard has committed to Miami

6'0" and 175 pounds, Howard has the length many teams are looking for in corners and matches up well with top flight WRs. He likes the Big three in Florida and some think FSU will be the pick.

4. Ronald Darby (Florida State)

UPDATE: Darby has committed to Florida State.

Darby is a 5'11", 175-pounds and is a special athlete that comes out of his backpedal well and can close in a hurry.

The latest is he will choose between Notre Dame Florida State, Clemson, Maryland and Auburn on NSD.

3. Brian Poole (Florida)

Headed to Florida, Poole is 5'11" and 180 pounds and has great jamming ability when pressing and doesn't back down from anyone. He should be well rounded in Gainesville.

2. Eddie Williams (Alabama)

Williams is a 6'4", 200-pounder that likely will play FS for 'Bama. He has not wavered at all and there is no change here to his tracking news.

1. Landon Collins (Alabama)

Also headed for Bama, Collins chose the Tide against his mother's wishes at the UA game. He hasn't wavered and is slated for Tuscaloosa. No change here. 

1a. Shaq Thompson (Washington)

UPDATE: Thompson has committed to Washington.

Thompson is committed to Cal, but he's also looking at Washington, Oregon and UCLA. Stay tuned as Thompson's saga is not close to being over.