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Just like that, Duane Akina and Mark Orphey's first DB class is taking shape

Eric Nahlinby:Eric Nahlin•about 9 hours
Duane Akina
Duane Akina (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Last week started with no defensive back commitments. Less than two weeks later and Texas has 50-60% of its 2025 class filled.

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Steve Sarkisian has obviously given his new defensive back coaches the green light to hit the gas on their preferred prospects. Clearly Duane Akina and Mark Orphey already have his trust. That’s no surprise given Akina’s skins on the wall—skins that are in plain view on multiple walls in Moncrief—as well as Akina’s pre-existing relationship with Co-DC Johnny Nansen. 

Let’s look at the individual pieces and how they complement one another. 

CB Hayward Howard, New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr

It’s quite evident Orphey prefers length, something the 6-foot-2 Howard has in abundance. We also know that Akina favors versatility, which Howard’s size lends itself to. 

To me, Howard looks like a boundary corner in the mold of Ryan Watts, Kobe Black, and Kade Phillips (Phillips could also play field). Howard is a smooth mover at his size but if for some reason the twitch isn’t quite there to be locked 1v1 against a stud receiver, he could play Star or safety.

ATH Jermaine Bishop, Willis (Texas)

I’m not ready to remove the ‘athlete’ tag from Bishop because he’s so dynamic with the ball in his hands but we know he’s going to get a strong look at cornerback. He’s tailor-made to cover the field where he has to carry speed vertically or cover a lot of space. He would have to cover someone like Ryan Williams to find his athletic equal. 

Assuming he stays at corner, Bishop is an island corner with significant upside. 

DB Yaheim Riley, Austin (Texas) LBJ

I freaking love this take. When he de-committed from U of H, I quipped he was somewhere between Andrew Mukuba and Xavion Alford. The comparison to Mukuba has nothing to do with attending the same high school and everything to do with his coverage and ballhawking in the secondary. 

People talk about ‘Akina DB’s’ a lot. While there’s no set definition, Riley fits what I think of. He can play multiple positions thanks to corner-like stickiness and safety range. He has ball skills to pay the bills, too. 

He’s the guy I want patrolling center field and taking away the deep post.

What Remains

I’ve mentally come to grips with Jalen Lott playing wide receiver. That would bother me more if Bishop wasn’t already in the class. That’s the only like-for-like I see on Texas’ big board for Lott.

You can fully expect another corner in the class. Texas is in a good spot with Samari Matthews from South Carolina but schools closer to home won’t let him go without a dog fight. 

At safety, all eyes are North Shore’s Chace Calicut. Michigan is pushing hard for the local product. Let’s keep in mind, Orphey attended North Shore.

For a deeper look at Texas’ overall big board, including DB’s, read here ($).

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