2026 Rankings: Defensive Backs To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week on Prep Redzone Oklahoma, we're putting a spotlight on some of the top 2026 prospects in the state. From guys who have been shining since they were freshmen to others who are enjoying breakout seasons this fall, we got it all covered. On Monday, <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2026-rankings/">we released our updated 2026 rankings.</a></strong> Throughout the week, we'll be breaking down different position groups and overall standouts in the state's 2026 class so far. In this post, we're putting the spotlight on the defensive back position. Unfortunately, several of the prospects listed below are missing significant time with injuries but nevertheless, they are still some of the best at their position. Keep it locked in throughout the week for more breakdowns on 2026 prospects. And check back every Monday in October for more prospect ranking updates!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402375"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"There isn't much to go on with Bethany sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='402375' first='Evenson' last='Malaska'] when we did these latest ranking evaluations. He had a fantastic freshman season and immediately became one of the players to watch in this class moving forward. We already knew about Malaska coming into the 2022 season because of his older brother, who is now at Utah. But looking at his Hudl and some stats online, there is no new film from this season and no stats on the defensive side of the ball. So without knowing for sure, it would certainly appear that Malaska hasn't played this fall. But despite that, he's still one of the better prospects at his position.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["858871"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Union is certainly becoming a program that is in the conversation for producing the top defensive back prospects with the most frequency over the last decade. Union's secondary this fall is loaded and even when they lose some good names to graduation, they'll simply reload and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='858871' first='Daijon' last='Gaines'] is a good example of that. We first got a chance to see Gaines back in the offseason during 7v7 tournaments. Union coaches were high on him at that point, saying he would be the next one of their group as long as he put the work in. Gaines is fighting for playing time in a loaded Union secondary but we're excited to see more of him.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["587267"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Putnam City West sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='587267' first='Savion' last='James'] is one of the more underrated defensive prospects in the state. He's been playing outstanding football since he was a freshman. Last fall, he was thrown into the fire as a cornerback and he had a really strong season. We mentioned over the summer how we like what the Patriots are building and they got off to a great start this season, winning their first three games in a row. PC West isn't lacking talent at some of the skill positions and James is certainly in that conversation. As PC West continues their push for a playoff spot, we're looking forward to seeing what James does down the stretch.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["436010"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Our final DB prospect is [player_tooltip player_id='436010' first='Mason' last='Bennett'] out of Seminole and unfortunately we don't have new information on the small school product. Bennett had surgery earlier this fall and is already looking ahead to the track season in the spring. Bennett is one of the best high jumpers in the state when it comes to the smaller schools and he's already set the school record at Seminole. Bennett had a fantastic freshman season on the football field and we were looking forward to seeing his progression this fall. But despite missing most of his sophomore season, Bennett is still a prospect to keep an eye on moving forward.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653019607a722"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->