2026 Rankings: Tons of Potential With Defensive Backs

The defensive backs in the Class of 2026 have the potential to be special. They can read and react to plays quickly as they happen and they are hard hitters in their position. This group features a defensive back who already has a few Division 1 offers. There are several in the group that we expect to start to gain traction as we look ahead to the upcoming 2024 season.    BREAKING DOWN THE TOP FIVE   [player_tooltip player_id='473015' first='Tyleek' last='Dukes'] | Kingstree   Dukes is impressive to watch because he anticipates plays well. When he goes up against the run, chances are it is not going to end well for the back. He takes great angles to the ball and can defeat blocks quickly to either limit the play to a short gain or get into the backfield for a loss. We also saw his ability to line up on offense at wide receiver and the big chunk plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='1014892' first='Jordan' last='Boston'] | Brookland-Cayce   If you want a defensive back who can stay stride for stride with his receivers, Boston is your guy. He demonstrated good technique from what we saw on his film. He has great instincts for the position in that he's able to recognize the routes that receivers run and knock the ball away and not interfere. He keeps his eyes in the right place and doesn't get caught looking in the backfield. He garnered All-Region honors and won the team Top Newcomer Award in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165092' first='Tylin' last='Drakeford'] | Camden   The best way to describe Drakeford in one word is that he is an enforcer from his safety position. We were impressed when we turned on the tape and saw him breaking up passes, specifically over the middle when it looked like the receiver had a chance to make the catch. He can come up in run support and finds the alley well to where the back is going. He made several hustle plays and ran the receiver or running back down when it looked like they were in position to score.   [player_tooltip player_id='473009' first='Jeremiah' last='Favorite'] | Boiling Springs   We can't think of a pass that was completed when we turned on the film for Favorite (pictured above) from 2023. He is that good -- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/ccc-2026-2027-spartanburg-mvp-and-award-winners/">he caught our eye at the Carolinas Coaches Combine last month</a>. He has good size for the position and keeps his eyes in the right place. He doesn't take the bait on play-action fakes. He can recognize the quick passing game to react to it and he even took one back to the house. You want a difference maker on special teams? Favorite will sprint down to limit the gain for the returner or tackle him immediately.   [player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey'] | Cross   We have Ramsey listed as a defensive back, but don't discount his ability to make plays at wide receiver. He can high point the ball and go up and make the tough catches in man-to-man coverage. He runs his routes at full speed from his outside position. He has great eye discipline from his defensive back position, and playing receiver has its advantages for him as he's able to go up and make picks. His recruitment has started to gain some momentum here in the winter and spring months as he has offers from South Florida, Charlotte and Coastal Carolina currently.    TEN RISING STARS   [player_tooltip player_id='816748' first='Isaac' last='Smalls'] | Beaufort   Smalls has good closing speed on the ball and can react quickly once the ball is in the air. He has good instincts to be able to move freely and make plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165163' first='Zamaurious' last='Robertson'] | Dillon   While Robertson is listed as a defensive back, he can make an impact on the other side of the ball as well. We saw him make plays on the outside and be able to beat man coverage multiple times on film. He has a great burst of speed once he gets into the open field. At defensive back, he patrols the middle of the field like a center fielder and is able to react quickly when the ball is coming his way. We were really impressed with his ability to come up in run support and make a tackle for a loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165145' first='Clayton' last='Folse'] | West Florence   Folse is a solid tackler in space, especially against the  run and doesn't miss the opportunity to make a play when it presents itself. He stayed stride for stride against a wide receiver to make an interception when we watched his film.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165165' first='Jaylen' last='Singletary'] | Hampton County   Singletary is a ball hawk at his position. He has the ability to get up high and make plays on the ball and snatch it right out of the air. He recognizes routes well to be able to react quickly and can play well in man or press coverage.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165171' first='Elisha' last='Smalls'] | Berkeley   The thing that stands out about Smalls on film is his ability to anticipate and react to what he sees from wide receivers. He is patient in knowing when to make his move and then comes full speed to make plays on the ball. He is excellent in run support, taking good angles to the ball and flying around to prevent long gains.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267265' first='Amare' last='Reaves'] | South Florence   Reaves is about as aggressive as they come at his position. His closing speed on the ball is impressive and once he knows the route is coming, he can jump it quickly to make the pass breakup or pick it off for a pick six. We were also impressed with his ability to blitz off the edge and affect the quarterback. He is also a difference maker on special teams, where he took a couple of kicks back to the house.   [player_tooltip player_id='1213961' first='Anthony' last='Atkins'] | Christ Church   Atkins plays under control and has a great grasp of what it means to be an instinctive defensive back. He keeps his eyes in the right place and sticks to the opposing receiver with tight coverage. We were really impressed on one play watching his film where he used the sideline as an extra defender, forcing the receiver out of bounds while not interfering or having to compromise by taking his eyes off the receiver.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267280' first='Jordyn' last='Best'] | Lower Richland   Best excels in anticipating the throws that a quarterback will make and reacts quickly to knock the ball away. He patrols the middle of the field well and doesn't allow receivers to get behind him – he can stay stride for stride with them. He's another solid corner who can play the run well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267287' first='Jordan' last='Ravenell'] | Goose Creek   Ravenell can anticipate throws well and jump routes to make interceptions, like on a pick six that we saw on film. He has good size to him and can move against opposing wide receivers. He is also great in run support in that backs aren't able to get much going once he knows it's coming.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267332' first='Cedric' last='Wherry'] | South Pointe   Wherry flies around the ball and is able to react quickly once he sees the routes. He is a sure tackler in space and can limit the play to a short gain. He patrols the middle of the field well and keeps his eyes in the right place, showing great technique.    FIVE DARK HORSE CANDIDATES   [player_tooltip player_id='1025815' first='Caleb' last='Geronomi'] | White Knoll   A ball hawk at his position who reacts quickly when the ball is in the air. Most of the time, it's either an interception or an incompletion when Geronomi is covering. He's also a difference maker on special teams.   [player_tooltip player_id='617663' first='Kaleb' last='Simpkins'] | Strom Thurmond   Simpkins is a great tackler in space and can limit plays to a short gain. He can stay stride for stride with receivers and make plays on the ball, while maintaining great eye discipline.   [player_tooltip player_id='402507' first='Somad' last='Eaddy'] | Riverside   An aggressive corner who is in the right place at the right time. Can turn and move quickly when the ball is in the air and dislodge it before the receiver gets his hands on the ball. Eaddy also played some at quarterback, showing his athletic ability.   [player_tooltip player_id='402489' first='Davon' last='Toney'] | Gray Collegiate   Another aggressor at the position who can defeat blocks quickly and excels in making tackles in space.   [player_tooltip player_id='797612' first='Jarell' last='Turner'] | Richland Northeast   A corner who is not afraid to get his hands dirty and can make plays on the ball when they present themselves. His closing speed is impressive and he's solid in run support.    LOOKING AHEAD   The defensive back room could be one of the most intelligent and instinctive groups we've seen in a while around the Palmetto State. If they keep improving and honing their craft, they are going to make life hard for quarterbacks from the Midlands, Catawba River Region and the Grand Strand in 2024.

The defensive backs in the Class of 2026 have the potential to be special. They can read and react to plays quickly as they happen and they are hard hitters in their position. This group features a defensive back who already has a few Division 1 offers. There are several in the group that we expect to start to gain traction as we look ahead to the upcoming 2024 season.