2026 SPRING RANKINGS UPDATE: Defensive Back Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026s, you're on the clock, and all eyes are on you. We have officially released a new set of rankings for the class of 2026 in Arkansas. In this article, we will showcase the 2026 defensive backs with analysis. Over the next month, I will break down these rankings by position in each class, including other segments. For the defensive backs, I will provide you with evaluations of some of the top prospects and the players flying under the radar:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"2456","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d57747f3286"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1307574"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d577480050b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1307574' first='Braden' last='Simpson'] was one of the biggest risers in the class of 2026. He lands at number three for the position. He is a high-IQ prospect who rotates across the secondary, primarily dominating from the safety position. Simpson is a high-energy player with solid read-and-react skills, allowing him to effectively position himself to make plays in space. He takes solid angles and demonstrates impressive physicality at the POA, contributing to forced turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.0 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BradenSimpson_8/status/1900645635663008142","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BradenSimpson_8/status/1900645635663008142 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1152703"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d5774800562"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1152703' first='Braylon' last='Stigger'] is a versatile secondary player capable of playing both safety and boundary corner positions. He excels in run support and lockdown coverage. Stigger shows solid read-and-react skills, quickly attacking downhill to make plays in run support or force a PBU. He demonstrates strong open-field tackling ability with solid technique. Additionally, he possesses good ball-tracking skills and can effectively high-point the ball to disrupt the play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - Multi Sport Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/braylon_stigger/status/1887600188635955320","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/braylon_stigger/status/1887600188635955320 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1286615"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d57748005a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keyvion&nbsp;Duckery is a prospect to watch and add to your recruiting board. He lands at number six for the position. He displays good read-and-react ability, change of direction, and burst, allowing him to quickly break on the ball against the run and make tackles in space. He also has good speed and fluidity, allowing him to transition quickly and stay inside the hip pocket of the receiver, preventing any separation and forcing pass breakups. Additionally, he showcases a sideline-to-sideline motor with physicality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.5 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KeyvyDuckery/status/1864376334861926666","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KeyvyDuckery/status/1864376334861926666 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["825807"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d57748005e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='825807' first='Clendell' last='Jones'] is another prospect to watch throughout 2025. The upcoming senior&nbsp;has the potential to take another leap this spring and summer. He displays solid hip twitch flexibility to switch and run with the opposition in man coverage. He also has good read-and-react ability, staying inside the hip pocket off breaks and not allowing separation. Jones attacks downhill against the run with good angles and physicality at the point of attack. Keep an eye on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.7 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/clendell_jr/status/1862563316343898296","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/clendell_jr/status/1862563316343898296 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1353087"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d5774800625"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1353087' first='Trevon' last='Stewart'] is an emerging talent with the potential to excel at any position in the secondary, especially at Nickel, in the next level. He is an underrated defensive back who displays good footwork and fluidity in his transitions. Stewart doesn't allow any separation off breaks due to good COD, balance, and burst. He stays inside the hip pocket consistently, putting himself in position to make a play on the ball. Solid tackler in space with physicality at the POA. Zone or Man coverage, he will shut the opposition down. Add him to your board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.2 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SteTrevon/status/1842961327029178820","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SteTrevon/status/1842961327029178820 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER TOP 100 DEFENSIVE BACKS:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='466187' first='Kyndrick' last='Williams'] (Fayetteville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='855568' first='Tari' last='Ransom Jr'] (Sylvan Hills)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='1092086' first='Pleas' last='Gray'] (Little Rock Southwest)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='401204' first='Matthew' last='Ferguson'] (Bryant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->