2027 No. 1 CB Joshua Dobson makes first cut, trimming list of top schools to 12

The 2027 recruiting cycle is already off and running as prospects are now halfway through their junior seasons. Plenty of big commitments in the cycle have already occurred and more will be on the way this fall.

Fort Mill (S.C.) Catawba Ridge five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson has been on the road this summer and this fall. He’s seeing contenders come into focus, and on Tuesday, he told Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett that a dozen schools are at the top.

There’s still plenty of whittling to be done, but Dobson is now considering the following: Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Texas Tech.

The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder is the No. 4 overall prospect and No. 1 corner in the 2027 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the top-ranked player in South Carolina regardless of class.

So far this fall, Dobson has taken game-day visits to Clemson, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Texas A&M. He’s also expected at Florida State this weekend.

Dobson details some of his fall visits

As he’s taken visits this fall, Dobson has detailed his experiences with Rivals. Many have made a splash with the elite defensive back:

South Carolina: “What continues to excite me is that (Coach Shane) Beamer is doing big things in Carolina. He continues to show that they can compete with the best,” Dobson said after seeing South Carolina beat Virginia Tech. “They’re close to home, and the coaches text me every week.”

Oklahoma: “I can’t wait to build a better relationship with the staff,” he said after seeing OU defeat Michigan. “I can tell they have something going on and I can’t wait to see what they do this season. I’ve known coach Venables since he was at Clemson and have been watching what he did to their defense so it is definitely a plus with a head coach like coach Venables.”

Notre Dame: “The visit was great — it definitely put them in a good spot,” Dobson told Rivals after seeing ND lose a close game to Texas A&M. “It’s something about the culture they have and the program they are continuing to put a legacy on for … It definitely exceeded expectations, and I expect them to be in my process in the long run. My first time at Notre Dame was special and I can’t wait to get back soon.”

Scout’s Take on Joshua Dobson

Upon the release of the initial 2027 Rivals300, Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power wrote this of Dobson as a prospect:

“The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is a top athlete who has posted impressive combine results this offseason. Most importantly, Dobson carries that athleticism over to the field. He’s twitchy in coverage and displays excellent reactive quickness in man coverage against top receivers. Dobson’s ability to stay attached in 1-on-1s at a loaded Future 50 event stood out. The athleticism, coverage instincts, and ball skills have the metro Charlotte product checking in as the top corner in the cycle.”