2026 NY Rankings: Defensive Backs

Check out the NY 2026 Rankings <a href="https://prepredzone.com/new-york/rankings/2026-rankings/">HERE</a>   A strong DB class led by several prospects from the NYC/LI area and a group that already holds an FBS commitment - there is a gap between the #1 overall prospect and the field but there are a lot of different flavors of DBs here. Hard hitting safeties, undersized lockdown corners, and some intriguing athletes with good ball skills. Check out some of the 2026 Top DBs below.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Top Three</h2>    Moore is the state's #1 DB and #1 SAF prospect, and there is a good margin between him and the field. Moore committed to the new FBS school Delaware after holding multiple Division I opportunities.   Moore looks the part physically. <a href="https://x.com/PRZCaleb/status/1832559237072826573">I saw him against UPrep</a> and thought he was one of the best athletes on the field with multiple Division I players. He checks the measurables box for the SAF position at that level and shows his athleticism in multiple ways on tape, but his fluid lower half and burst stand out the most.   Moore also has a strong basketball background. On tape, Moore shows good overall spatial awareness, which can be developed both at safety and on the basketball court—his athleticism, measurables, and feel for space/instincts are all at the Division 1 level.     Brooks is the #1 CB in the class based of JR tape - Brooks was a guy who had minimal sophomore film but has been in our database since FR year at Canarsie.   Brooks had sort of a breakout year. He produced some tape that showcased how his athleticism and length are an asset in man coverage. He is still raw from a positional skillset standpoint, but he shows great athleticism on tape.   Brooks has good coverage reps on tape, and his athleticism points towards a high ceiling at the next level, but in a run-heavy league like the PSAL, coverage reps at college camps will be important for coaches.     Pelaez is a two-way player who could just be considered an ATH or RB. I feel stronger about his evaluation projecting him to DB in combination with some DB film, although you see him play multiple positions for Moore Catholic. Pelaez can also have an impact in the return game.   Pelaez has excellent short area bursts and changes of direction. These explosive movements can translate to either side of the ball, and he shows a willingness to be physical on both sides of the ball. While either side of the ball is an option, his athleticism and skillset can take him further as a defensive back.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Five Names To Know</h2>    Staples is a great overall athlete, a two-way player who projects as a CB at the next level. He has good length for 5'11" - I have seen him at a camp. His body type is good for the next level, with some room to add weight and strength.   Staples has strong coverage skills and the ability to stay on the hip of the WR against multiple routes on tape. His ball skills are out the most, his vertical and ball tracking are strong, and there are multiple reps on tape that show ball skills that can translate to the next level.     Sampson has been a varsity performer for a couple of seasons, and while coaches may hesitate to consider an undersized prospect, his athleticism, mostly how fluid he can change direction and the twitch he shows on tape, can more than make up for measurable concerns.   Sampson has very quick feet and does a great job staying on the hip of guys in coverage. He shows really good ball skills at the CB position. Over multiple seasons of tape, you see he is one of the few high school corners who can turn and locate the ball in coverage down the field.   Sampson plays both ways, but his coverage skill set can be an asset at the next level which is why I have him listed strictly as a DB prospect.     Harris has a lot of playing time and tape under his belt. He is an undersized corner/safety who could end up playing in the slot at the next level. Harris has some of the quickest feet I have seen in a camp setting. He has elite twitch and change of direction.   In coverage, both on tape and in what I have seen at camps, Harris shows excellent footwork, has a quick fluid transition from his backpedal, and consistently puts himself in a position to play the ball.   The coverage skills are there, and he probably is the best 1v1 man cover guy NY has in this class. He is undersized, but with the positional skills he showcased on tape, I think he can overcome the size concerns that coaches will have.     Jacob is the hardest-hitting DB in the class, and his tape features some violent finishing. He plays the SS/LB type position you see a lot in high school, and I think he fits the SS/Rover role at the next level.   Coming downhill, he is one of the best Safety prospects in New York. In coverage, there is not a ton of tape to go off because he played in the box so often and mostly zone coverage in a run-heavy league. However, the college camp season and offseason workouts should help college coaches make a complete evaluation.   He played for South Shore this past season, will be with Erasmus Hall this upcoming season and is one of the top returning defensive players in the PSAL.     Weather is an athlete who can play either way, but nearly all of his tape is at DB, with the long list of prospects CBA-Syracuse already has at WR.   I like his cover skills on tape. He is extremely aggressive when closing on WRs and attacking the catch point. Weather is a solid athlete in space, and his tape shows that he is a willing tackler and can bring guys down when 1v1 in space.   He shows good ball skills from the CB position, in the scramble drill and routes that break back toward the LOS Weather has the closing speed to make plays on the ball consistently.

Check out the NY 2026 Rankings HERE