2026 Rankings: Defensive Backs On The College Radar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top five players in the Class of 2025 defensive backs were truly college ready.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012606' first='Elgin' last='Sessions'] </strong>(Georgia Tech) of Class 5A Division I champion Dutch Fork, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249733' first='Onis' last='Konanbanny']</strong> (Tennessee) of Heathwood Hall and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390438' first='Ramani' last='Bruton']</strong> (East Tennessee State) of JL Mann were among the top five ranked seniors. All three displayed the physical attributes and play disrupting mindset which colleges and universities seek for their programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top-ranked defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272699' first='Da'Marion' last='Coe']</strong> of Hartsville also presented those same qualities. Whether as a coverman, a safety or even contributing on special teams, his presence was omnipresent in Kellytown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So how does the upcoming rising senior class measure up in similar quality. Like last year, this year's group already has players already exciting college scouts:</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":"2451","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6809af0c49916"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>THE TOP FIVE</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey']</strong> Cross</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, he already has a build to compete in college now. The question is whether scouts see him at his current position of safety, where he led the state in interceptions. Ramsey could eventually find himself moved to defensive end or shifted to offense as a wide receiver or tight end. Whomever signs him will have those options.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17340953/66e0514cb11836694449c110' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6809949421fee"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473009' first='Jeremiah' last='Favorite']</strong> Boiling Springs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The way colleges have swooned over the Myrtle Beach native is fitting given his last name. West Virginia, Appalachian State, Boston College and James Madison are just a few FBS offers he already has. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound rising senior has highly developed cover skills and shows impressive anticipation for the football. Much like Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, Favorite is a dangerous kick returner with his speed and field vision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson']</strong> Dorman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Upstate defensive back (pictured) who also appears to have his choice of FBS schools, Anderson has Clemson and South Carolina competing with the likes of Michigan, Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Anderson has the size, strength and speed measured at his most recent Carolinas Coaches Combine to play linebacker and strong safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1014892' first='Jordan' last='Boston']</strong>, Hammond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-2, 180-pound rising senior had a smooth transition from Brookland-Cayce. He finished with 27 tackles, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a safety in his first season at Hammond. Whether one-on-one coverage or safety, Boston made his presence known for the SCISA Class 4A champions in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267280' first='Jordyn' last='Best']</strong> Ridge View</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A state champion in track and field and cousin of West Virginia wide receiver signee [player_tooltip player_id='272708' first='Chamarryus' last='Bomar'] (Westside), speed is definitely in his bloodstream. The family connection, along with Best's coverage ability, has earned him several offers. Best had 24 tackles and two sacks last season. On film, wide receivers have a difficult time outrunning him downfield. He also shows quick awareness in deflecting away short and long passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22931122/6727cb8cbe3351666e0fe361' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6809949422020"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>TEN TO WATCH</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='617663' first='Kaleb' last='Simpkins']</strong> Strom Thurmond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot, 175-pound rising senior fits the tall, lengthy and fast physical trend exhibited by the Class of 2026. He's arguably one of the most versatile as a contributor in all three phases of the game. Simpkins had 366 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns and 19 tackles and a team-high three interceptions. He covers a large portion of the field with his speed and long arms and is an aggressive tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17946840/66ce01ad7d17390572d11dde' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6809949422042"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1213961' first='Anthony' last='Atkins']</strong> Christ Church</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atkins is another contributing two-way player with a strong upside. He demonstrated during the South Carolina High School Blitz Junior Showcase an ability to get in position to disrupt plays. His seven pass deflections this past season was an indication of his coverage ability. Look for the 6-foot-1, 175-pound rising senior to get more opportunities on offense as a wide receiver.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402507' first='Somad' last='Eaddy']</strong> Riverside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For his career, the 5-foot-11, 155-pound rising senior has 66 tackles and 10 interceptions. At both Southside and Riverside, he's also proven himself as a wide receiver with 27 receptions for 400 yards. West Virginia, Boston College and Appalachian State have already offered Eaddy. In his Hudl profile, he described himself as an “ambitious person, and willing to do whatever it takes to be great.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze']</strong>, Gilbert</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably one of the hardest hitting safeties in the Class of 2026 rankings, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound rising senior tallied 126 tackles and three pass breakups last season. Leaving him isolated against a ball carrier usually works in his favor. Meetze has a keen eye for the football and rarely gives up on a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592609' first='Azel' last='Banag']</strong> AC Flora</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Falcons' defensive MVP had 100 tackles, 12 pass breakups, two interceptions and 300-plus total yards last season. His athleticism and speed is on display on film during a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against Westwood. Despite a slim frame, Banag is a physical defender who puts his entire body into a hit. He also uses his hands effectively to break loose the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18620208/6741e2286500a4d2609b96ec' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6809ae7560610"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816748' first='Isaac' last='Smalls']</strong> Beaufort</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During his two seasons with the Eagles, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound has been utilized just as much as outside linebacker than at defensive back. When not amassing 71 tackles during that span, Smalls uses his 4.56 speed in coverage. He's also a difficult player both to elude and tackle when he's running the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='797612' first='Jarell' last='Turner']</strong> Richland Northeast</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough, physical defender who has quick instincts to the football on defense, Turner (6-foot, 170 pounds) has shown gradual improvement since getting moved to the position as a sophomore. Along with coverage, Turner is a solid open field tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165145' first='Clayton' last='Folse']</strong> West Florence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot, 185-pound rising senior thrived in a bandit role for the Knights last season. He finished with more than 60 tackles and three sacks playing at outside linebacker. He also collected three interceptions roaming in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267287' first='Jordan' last='Ravenell']</strong> Summerville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-10, 170-pound rising senior has brought his coverage and special teams' talents to the Green Wave. He joins a defense looking to balance out what's expected to be an explosive offense once again. Summerville also returns some key playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, starting with a strong linebacking corps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267265' first='Amare' last='Reaves']</strong> South Florence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-10, 170-pound rising senior doubled his tackle total from his sophomore season. His 54 tackles and two interceptions helped solidify the secondary during the Bruins' state championship campaign. Self-described in his Prep RedZone profile as “aggressive, smart, savvy,” those attributes come to light on film. Reaves manages to keep an eye on the football while maintaining coverage on the wide receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18329280/672b75fb7e6f7b7de76e6d79' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6809ae7560652"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->