#TNHSFB Season Preview: Top Secondary Units

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">In today's passing world of football, you must have a defensive backfield that is up for the challenge and we feel these 10 schools below have the talent and depth to become top units during the upcoming Fall football season. </h2>     1. McCallie Blue Tornado   [player_tooltip player_id='219372' first='Carson' last='Lawrence'], [player_tooltip player_id='1128449' first='Sean' last='Couvertiere'], [player_tooltip player_id='402532' first='Chaston' last='Smith'], De'Shun Tipton   - When you have two of the better defensive back prospects in the entire state, you're automatically at the top of secondary units. The Blue Tornado have two studs and two potential NFL guys in their defensive backfield with Lawrence and new addition, [player_tooltip player_id='402532' first='Chaston' last='Smith']. Both of those guys alone will garner a lot of attention from their opponents but Lawrence and Smith are too good to be held down. Complimenting them are two talented prospects in Couvertiere and Tipton. The senior Couvertiere is a big dude that should handle the strong safety role nicely. Tipton is a ball hawk who jumped on the scene in a big way last year as a sophomore by picking off four passes. He should handle one cornerback role while Smith takes care of the other. This is a talented foursome that could end up becoming the defense leaders by the time we get into the 3rd week of the season.    - - - - -    2. Riverdale Warriors   [player_tooltip player_id='219397' first='Dominic' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='858830' first='Malik' last='Hicks'], [player_tooltip player_id='819506' first='Ke'Darean' last='Fletcher'], [player_tooltip player_id='219453' first='Camryn' last='Darden'], [player_tooltip player_id='1116723' first='Michael' last='White, Jr'], [player_tooltip player_id='1643688' first='Chris' last='Peters'], Teagen Stem, [player_tooltip player_id='378857' first='Hudson' last='Fuqua']   - Not only does Riverdale have excellent talent on the back end but they are also very deep, maybe the deepest secondary in the state for the 2024 season. Everything starts with Taylor, a two-way talent that sets the tone for his team each time he steps onto the field. His play and leadership qualities will be huge for the team success this year. Hicks and Fletcher are two talented, future college guys the staff brought in to play alongside Taylor this season. Hicks has the potential to play cover corner in college while Fletcher will go both ways at receiver and safety with his upside sitting best on defense. Darden is another strong senior talent that can play his way into college offers with a big year. Those four seniors are complemented by some youth in White, Jr, Peters, Stem and Fuqua, who already holds SEC offers. This secondary has the chance to be elite and become a force that pushes the Warriors deep into the 6A playoffs.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/domtaylor.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1277373" style="width:349px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    3. Houston Mustangs   [player_tooltip player_id='529774' first='Ladeadrick' last='James'], [player_tooltip player_id='1110694' first='Andre' last='Allen'], Chase Manning, [player_tooltip player_id='540017' first='Derrick' last='Miller'], De'Angelo Hence, [player_tooltip player_id='1646445' first='Tripp' last='Hendricks'], [player_tooltip player_id='1085916' first='Khori' last='Faulkner']   - Much like the team above, Houston is loaded with talent and depth within their secondary, sporting a nice mix of veteran leadership and youthful up and coming prospects that will become future starters. The Mustangs have two of the better defensive backs from our senior class in James and Allen. Both of these guys are destined for the big stage of college ball and both will be critical in the team's success this season. They will need a third guy to step up and join them and I think it will be Manning. He is a versatile guy that can handle several roles on the back end. Miller should play snaps back here but will mainly play on offense at receiver. The next stud to come out of the Mustangs secondary should be Hence, a nice sized safety with athleticism and range. Hendricks and Faulkner should gain good experience this year as a backup and future starters. It will be tough competition to be the top secondary from the West TN region but right now, the Mustangs have the look of being the best.    - - - - -    4. Oakland Patriots   [player_tooltip player_id='467267' first='Bronson' last='Crisp'], [player_tooltip player_id='1265520' first='Gus' last='Ramsey'], [player_tooltip player_id='1518156' first='Chase' last='Bandy'], [player_tooltip player_id='856867' first='Craig' last='Tutt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1118506' first='Emarion' last='Woods'], Marquise Earl, [player_tooltip player_id='1138121' first='Kyrie' last='Gainor']   - Oakland is known for producing top level defensive backs and they have yet another strong group for the 2024 season that could become the best unit in the state by the end of the year. Talent and depth are present here with a nice mix of veterans and youth that should gel together nicely. Crisp and Tutt are the top names on the back end that provide different skill sets. Crisp is your centerfielder while Tutt is your rangy safety that can play close to the line. Their play this year will be huge but so will the play of many others. Ramsey is a guy to watch this season for a breakout year. He fits the role of nickelback perfectly. Bandy is another versatile performer that can be placed into several roles. The youth will need to play big too, especially Woods, Earl and Gainor. All three will gain significant snaps this year with the possibility of becoming starters one day. The defensive strength for Oakland will reside in the secondary this year, so their performance will be critical in helping the Pats get back to the 6A title game.    - - - - -    5. Germantown Red Devils   [player_tooltip player_id='461255' first='Yasir' last='Muhammad'], Mason Sanders, [player_tooltip player_id='866985' first='Kyle' last='Campbell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1113841' first='Tre'von' last='McGory'], [player_tooltip player_id='1285554' first='Carter' last='Boothe']   - Athletes galore reside within the Red Devils roster with a good chunk of them playing in their secondary. Under the coaching of Gene Robinson, Germantown has been churning out some good defensive back talent and their 2024 unit looks as good as ever. A recent UNLV commit, Muhammad is a lock down cover corner that should force the opposition to throw away from him most of the year. Teams could have a hard time doing it though, especially if Campbell develops into his size and becomes the kind of player his look shows. Sanders is a senior leader on the back end that shows nice range and ball hawk tendencies at safety. McGory will more than likely spend most of his time on offense but his athleticism could be used in the Red Devils secondary. Boothe brings depth to this unit and someone that could carve out a starting role before the season is over. This is a nice collection of DB's that should help Germantown put together another top level defense for the 2024 season that helps them push for a 6A title appearance.    - - - - -    6. Brentwood Academy Eagles   [player_tooltip player_id='219407' first='Kolbe' last='Harmon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1071176' first='Isaiah' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='212335' first='Easton' last='Jointer'], Coleman Calmus, Wilkes Eaton   - The Eagles are top heavy with some potential depth that has yet to be found but what they have is possibly the top cornerback tandem in the state along with a safety that has size and college upside. Recently committing to Duke, Harmon is a Top 15 ranked DB in this state with the potential to handle cornerback in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Williams is one of the more under the radar secondary performers that can boost his stock significantly with a strong senior season. Both Harmon and Williams should provide an advantage for the Eagles each game they compete in as they lock down the outside. Junior safety [player_tooltip player_id='212335' first='Easton' last='Jointer'] is a big, physical hitter that should be an athletic head hunter on the back end. He is the next stud recruit coming out of the Eagles program that should become a bigger name this time next summer. Calmus and Eaton are senior contributors that will start and give depth at safety and be key voices within the BA defense. It's not the flashiest of groups but it's a good secondary that should be a consistent defensive force throughout the season.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/kharmon.jpg?w=500" alt="" class="wp-image-1328851" style="width:306px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    7. Red Bank Lions   [player_tooltip player_id='467266' first='Markee' last='Crutcher'], [player_tooltip player_id='1185884' first='Drayden' last='Collier'], [player_tooltip player_id='1257456' first='Josiah' last='Featherstone'], [player_tooltip player_id='219348' first='Logan' last='McGinnis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1153830' first='Jawon' last='Cooper'], [player_tooltip player_id='1287488' first='Cayden' last='Loveless']   - This is my sleeper unit for the 2024 season but a lot of questions are there with prospects that may or may not play on the Lions back end. Before we get to that, let's talk about [player_tooltip player_id='467266' first='Markee' last='Crutcher']. Coming over to Red Bank for his Sr season, Crutcher is a sneaky good talent that should handle the corner role this year and with strong play, college offers, including one's from the FCS could start coming his way. Rising sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='1287488' first='Cayden' last='Loveless'] is one to watch for this year as a breakout star with potential to play on the island. Now onto what I mentioned above. I would assume that Collier, Featherstone, McGinnis and Cooper all find roles inside the Lions secondary and maybe even starters. Collier is one of the more athletic prospects on the roster that could play some CB but potential looks best at safety. McGinnis is a two-way talent that could start at safety as well while working at receiver on offense. Featherstone fits well in at nickel while Cooper is a rising junior that could play several roles. If a few of these two-way products develop into starters, Red Bank could have one of the better secondary units from the greater East TN region.    - - - - -    8. Independence Eagles   [player_tooltip player_id='1001170' first='Taylor' last='Lawrence'], Kew Stancil, [player_tooltip player_id='279483' first='Eli' last='Baumann'], [player_tooltip player_id='402544' first='Hunter' last='Mullen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1330125' first='Jake' last='Keown'], [player_tooltip player_id='1127133' first='Wyatt' last='Young']   - Another sleeper unit to pay attention to this Fall is this Williamson County program that sports a D1 committed prospect with another big stage player coming down the line in Mullen. The Eagles have been developing and growing over the past few years to where now for the 2024 season, they could have one of the better secondary units in the Mid-TN region and possibly the state. Lawrence is the stud back here that will lock down one side of the field at cornerback. His size and technique sound game play that will be seen at MTSU next year will be a key force on the Eagles defense this season. Mullen is the next one in line to become a D1 guy. His instincts and ball hawk tendencies at safety should be on full display this Fall. Baumann will provide senior leadership and steady play while Keown and Young will give depth both in the secondary and on special teams. Independence has playoff aspirations and if they plan to get there, the Eagles defensive back field will be a big reason why.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/taylawrence.jpg?w=350" alt="" class="wp-image-1241999" style="width:327px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    9. Southwind Jaguars   [player_tooltip player_id='1134335' first='Keshun' last='Archie'], [player_tooltip player_id='1269150' first='Omari' last='Bonds'], [player_tooltip player_id='860619' first='Jaeden' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1704469' first='Troyce' last='Grimsley']   - Fighting for the top secondary in the West TN region are these Jaguars that combine talent and youth to make up a strong unit for the 2024 season. Only thing missing at the moment is depth but I believe that will change as the next few months roll along. Archie is the lead dog on the back end with a strong presence at safety that has good range to play against both the pass and the run. Bonds will take care of business on the outside while also having the ability to work the nickel as well. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='860619' first='Jaeden' last='Thomas'] is a guy I'm interested to follow this season to see how he progresses because I can see him developing into a Top 10 safety prospect for the #TN2026 class. Grimsley is another rising junior that will be fun to follow as he steps into a bigger role this season. Others will join the Southwind secondary to make this group even deeper over the Fall season, turning them into potentially one of the best in the Volunteer State.    - - - - -    10. Mt. Juliet Golden Bears   [player_tooltip player_id='1310658' first='Isaiah' last='Roseberry'], [player_tooltip player_id='1224014' first='Deon' last='Waller'], Doriohn Davis, [player_tooltip player_id='1472845' first='Tre' last='Redmond'], Kai Perry, Yonas Gizaw   - There might not be a star here or a top level college prospect but what the Golden Bears have are solid ball players that compete very hard along with some good depth that can help push them to another region title. Mt. Juliet is senior laden on the back end and that's a good thing. Safety [player_tooltip player_id='1310658' first='Isaiah' last='Roseberry'] is the emotional leader that plays much bigger than his size with the willingness to play versus the run. Waller is the most versatile DB the Golden Bears have. He fits perfectly at the slot but could handle some CB or free safety as well. Davis is a sleeper talent to know about that has the ability to lock down one side of the field at cover corner. Redmond and Perry are safeties that bring a variety of skills to the playing field that also work well on special teams. Gizaw is the underclassmen that should gain reps this year and step into a starting role next year. Collectively, this group should be a shining beacon on defense this year that can be a steady force that helps push the Golden Bears deep into the 6A playoffs.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/iroseberry.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1328856" style="width:329px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    One Extra ……   11. Baylor Red Raiders   [player_tooltip player_id='923514' first='Noah' last='Miles'], [player_tooltip player_id='328897' first='Kolby' last='Barrett'], [player_tooltip player_id='926155' first='Keaton' last='Whaley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1300097' first='Kaiden' last='Dewey'], [player_tooltip player_id='1206186' first='Jamyan' last='Theodore']    - There are a lot of questions for me with this Baylor secondary but I can see the upside. There are several new members on the back end with the additions of Barrett, Dewey and Theodore in the off-season. Two of those guys in Dewey and Theodore could develop on offense at receiver but my scouting eyes says they will be in the secondary as well. Barrett is the star in the defensive backfield that can become a difference maker on the Red Raiders defense this year. Miles is the veteran voice that can handle both nickelback and strong safety. Whaley is a hidden gem and if he had more size, his recruitment would be more active right now. Look for him to handle one cornerback role with the other going to either Dewey or Theodore. It will be interesting to see how this unit plays out this Fall and what kind of level they play on what could be one of the better defenses in the state.    - - - - -    Other Top Secondaries to Follow   Ravenwood: [player_tooltip player_id='820942' first='Donovan' last='Starr'], [player_tooltip player_id='1159791' first='Jayden' last='Smitherman'], Wyatt Severance, [player_tooltip player_id='1610490' first='Jaylen' last='Pollard']   Lipscomb Acad.: [player_tooltip player_id='328635' first='C.J.' last='Jimcoily'], [player_tooltip player_id='625051' first='Bo' last='Strickland'], [player_tooltip player_id='1299055' first='Nick' last='Duke'], Coen Michel, [player_tooltip player_id='1161079' first='Omari' last='Bledsoe']   East Nashville: [player_tooltip player_id='835861' first='Austin' last='Kent'], [player_tooltip player_id='1159809' first='Antoni' last='Morton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1194077' first='Demontez' last='Anderson'], Jachaun Taylor, Malachi Harris   Blackman: [player_tooltip player_id='1136682' first='Jalen' last='A. Anderson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1207762' first='Trey' last='McGaffee'], [player_tooltip player_id='1614217' first='Jaden' last='Lark'], [player_tooltip player_id='783176' first='Kari' last='Dixon'], [player_tooltip player_id='480824' first='Taylor' last='Whitney']   Munford: [player_tooltip player_id='552638' first='Tyler' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='1185009' first='Josh' last='Griffin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1602190' first='Dylan' last='Dorn'], [player_tooltip player_id='1104284' first='Dequavion' last='Bell']    Haywood: [player_tooltip player_id='1314205' first='Connor' last='Fason'], [player_tooltip player_id='811046' first='Caden' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1162582' first='Jaden' last='Butler']   Beech: [player_tooltip player_id='466263' first='KaJuan' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='976622' first='Josiah' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='491516' first='Landen' last='Gregory']   Nash. Christian: Lawson Andrews, [player_tooltip player_id='284142' first='Bryson' last='Holt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1116798' first='KeAndre' last='Gibson'], [player_tooltip player_id='402524' first='Blair' last='Otero'], [player_tooltip player_id='834633' first='Jake' last='Morris']    Father Ryan: [player_tooltip player_id='898263' first='Caiden' last='Anku'], [player_tooltip player_id='858846' first='Mason' last='Bryant'], Catlin Hagan, Jack Armour   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/08/tywilliams.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-958604" style="width:367px;height:auto" /></figure>