It’s too early to call Houston Texans All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. a Hall of Fame defensive back, but DeMeco Ryans can see similarities between the fourth-year defender and one of the greatest players to ever grace a secondary.

Every day, Stingley continues to shine in coverage while playing against Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud. There’s a play or two where the Pro Bowl passer sneaks one by the former No. 3 overall pick, but more often than not, Stingley has made life hell for Houston’s offense.

Ryans, who grew up watching the rising age of defensive backs, knows talent when it comes to secondary play, and while it’s bold to compare anyone to perhaps the greatest cornerback ever to grace the gridiron, the third-year coach can see traits in Stingley that once terrorized quarterbacks and in the 1980s and 90s.

“Derek definitely has some of the best hands that I’ve seen,” Ryans said. “From the corner perspective, you can throw in Coach Prime (Deion Sanders), some great hands as well. But, Derek, he’s a unique player. He’s very talented, very gifted. For me, what I’m most encouraged about is, from when I first got here, to see where Stingley has grown to and what he’s become, it’s very impressive to watch, to see the growth of a player, the development of him.”

Sanders, who now enters his third season at the University of Colorado, was once the most feared defensive back in the game. After last season’s elite campaign that resulted in five interceptions and 11 pass breakups, Stingley has earned the reputation of being an assassin for quarterbacks on promising drives.

Last season, Stingley lowest passer rating (6and yards per target (4.9). His success has carried well before 2024 and Stingley’s 31 pass breakups are the most among defenders since 2023.

Sanders, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, had over a decade of dominance before calling it a career. It’s been two great seasons for Stingley, but he’s well on his way to having not just the hands, but also a similar career at the G.O.A.T. of defensive backs.

“For him to be at the top of his craft, top of the game as a cornerback position, like he’s done an outstanding job,” Ryans said.