Under The Radar 2026 Defensive Backs To Know This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are some under the radar defensive backs to keep an eye on this fall?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/columbus/northside-patriots/athletes/damarcus-oneal/football/stats/?careerid=i5v2td3d04j55">Damarcus O'neal</a> - Northside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sure-tackling defender who roams the back end of the secondary, O'neal is a promising safety prospect from Columbus, Georgia who can make plays both in the run and against the pass. He's an instinctive, playmaking safety with strong ball skills who can create turnovers as well as any 2026 defender in the area. He brings decent size for his age at 5-foot-10 175-pounds and has no problem coming downhill to make a big stop on the ball-carrier. However, it's his playmaking ability in coverage that has made him one of the more underrated defensive backs in West Georgia. This up-and-coming sophomore made 29 total tackles last year while picking off an impressive five passes from his safety spot. He recognizes plays early on and does a good job of reacting when the ball is in the air. He's always looking to make a play, and he made them often in 2023. Look for him to continue growing and developing over the next two months as he prepares to play a very important senior year in the fall. If he does, don't be surprised if his recruitment starts to pick up a little down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1323214' first='Caden' last='Watson'] - Banks County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A small-town defensive back with great instincts and playmaking ability, Watson may not be the biggest or fastest defensive back around, but he's a true ball-hawk who understands his role and knows how to make a play on the ball. He can play on an island at cornerback with the ability to play safety as well. He's smart, consistently does his job, and knows to to cover a lot of ground. He's coming off a strong sophomore season where he made 23 tackles, but his play in the secondary is what stands out the most. He brings good size at 6-foot-2 180-pounds with impressive ball skills that allowed him to pick off five passes in coverage last year. He was a true difference maker and will only get better next year in year three. If he continues to develop while adding more weight, Watson could have a massive junior season which could turn into some opportunities to play at the next level. He's certainly a small-town 2026 defensive back who is trending in the right direction.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1323216' first='Terrious' last='Favors'] - Carver</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An impressive two-way player from Atlanta who made big plays all year both at defensive back and wide receiver, Favors is a quick, shifty athlete with quick feet, dependable hands, and a natural playmaking ability. At 5-foot-10 165-pounds, Favors brings a lengthy frame and excellent ball skills with the ability to put on more weight and muscle this off-season as he heads into an important junior season this fall. He's been an impressive camp performer so far this year and his best football is still to come. In the secondary, Favors is a ball-hawk who reads the quarterback and closes quickly on the receiver. When the ball is coming his way, Favors turns into a receiver and knows how to snatch it away from opposing receivers. As a sophomore last fall, Favors flashed D1 potential as he made 21 tackles, four INTs, and seven more pass deflections. He's one of the more underrated 2026 defensive backs in the area who could see a new Prep Redzone ranking come his way in the next update. He's a possible "breakout" candidate to know about in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='682999' first='Kennedi' last='Bailey']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kennedi-bailey-2/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;– DB – Westlake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top 2026 defensive backs on the rise in South Fulton, Bailey brings a level of versatility that allows him to play anywhere in the secondary. The 6-foot-2 170-pounder is someone the Westlake staff expects a lot from as a new leader and one of the team's top defenders and rising prospects. Bailey's recruitment has picked up this summer, and with a strong junior season in 2024, Bailey could see some giant offers come his way down the road. In coverage, he covers a lot of ground both on the perimeter and down the middle of the field. He reacts quickly after reading the quarterback, consistently finding his way to the ball. Physically, he knows how to make a key tackle against the run. If he continues to improve throughout the fall, Bailey could push for All-Region status this fall as a junior. His best football is way ahead of him, and he's an easy candidate to have a massive junior season coming his way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='268209' first='Deterrence' last='Holloway'] - Jones County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An under-the-radar defensive back on the rise is versatile Jones County defender, [player_tooltip player_id='268209' first='Deterrence' last='Holloway']. He brings a skillset that allows him to play in multiple spots in the secondary. He reacts quickly on the ball and showed he's a tough, willing tackler against the run. He's not the biggest defender around, but he plays bigger than his size. He has no problem chasing down the ball carrier and brings promising ball skills as well. This up-and-coming prospect made 36 tackles last season as a sophomore to go along with one INT and seven more pass breakups. IF he continues to work on his craft and adds more muscle, Holloway's play will only improve. Look for him to have a possible "breakout" junior season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->