2026 Rankings Update 2.0: Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2495","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2494","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643d1a94b2cf"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get deeper into the 2024 high school football offseason in the state of Kentucky, it is time for another round of rankings updates. The updated Top 150 player rankings for the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky has been officially published! With that being said, I wanted to take the next week or so to break down these rankings by position. After already covering the offensive side of the ball, I have now turned my attention to the defensive side of the ball. With the defensive line and linebackers out of the way, here are our top defensive backs in the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401701"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='401701' first='Corey' last='Warner'] has continued to establish himself as the top defensive back in the state in his class. Warner lines up on the outside at corner where he has shown the ability to lock down his side of the field in man coverage. He does a great job of running with receivers to mirror their routes and reacting with perfect timing to make a play on the ball when it is thrown his way. Warner finished this past season with one interception and several pass breakups in 12 games. He also showed the ability to provide support against the run, finishing his sophomore year with 47 tackles and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Warner doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1175779"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1175779' first='Kendell' last='Buck-Barber'] is a player that has been on our radar for a while now and continued to impress this past season. Barber lines up at safety where he is very reliable in pass coverage. He does a great job of reading the quarterback then breaking on the ball with perfect timing and covering a ton of ground to make a play. Kendell finished this past season with seven interceptions in 12 games, returning one of them for a touchdown. He also finished the year with 54 tackles and eight tackles for loss. Barber also caught 16 passes for 179 yards, and returned one kickoff and one punt for touchdowns. Kendell doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player that coaches should definitely keep an eye on heading into his junior year.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["401715"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='401715' first='Juelz' last='Davila'] is another defensive back that has been on our radar for a while now and continued to stand out this past season. Davila lines up at safety where he is a true ballhawk in pass coverage. He does a great job of reading the quarterback and breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make interceptions in stride. Davila finished his sophomore year with four interceptions in 11 games, returning two of them for touchdowns. He also showed the ability to fill the lane to provide support against the run, finishing the year with 89 tackles. Davila doesn't currently hold any offers but he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level and has already received some college interest.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1175778"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1175778' first='Brayden' last='Lynch'] is a player who caught our attention with a strong sophomore season. Lynch lines up at free safety where he is very reliable in pass coverage. He does a great job of reading the quarterback and route combinations then breaking on the ball with perfect timing to make a play. Lynch finished this past season with six interceptions in 11 games. He also showed the ability to provide support against the run, finishing the year with 54 tackles. Brayden doesn't currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player to keep an eye on going into his junior year.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["971494"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"To wrap up our top five defensive backs in the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='971494' first='Quilshaun' last='Baines']. Baines lines up at safety where he is very impressive in pass coverage. When the ball is thrown anywhere near him, he has shown the ability to go up and attack the pass at its highest point to make a play. He finished this past season with three interceptions and several pass breakups in 12 games. Baines has also shown the ability to come downhill and make tackles in the open field against the run. Quilshaun doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643d1a94cc18"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Players Included in Top 150:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='971492' first='James' last='White'] (Fern Creek)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='971493' first='Malique' last='Smith'] (Fairdale)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='971495' first='A'Davion' last='Dale'] (Shelby County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='1176971' first='Monte' last='Hairston'] (Frankfort)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. [player_tooltip player_id='1264305' first='De'Andre' last='Watkins'] (Christian County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->