2026 Rankings: Defensive Back Stock Risers/New Names

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the Prep Redzone Illinois 2026 Rankings being expanded to 375 prospects there are a ton of new names that have emerged along with prospects that elevated their stock.&nbsp; Here we look at those prospects in <strong>2026 Rankings: Defensive Back Stock Risers/New Names</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585282' first='Kendall' last='Griffin'] (Morgan Park)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Griffin is a 5'11" corner that has very good footwork and makes plays on the ball in the air.&nbsp; Consistently bats down passes and can make game changing interceptions. Positions himself well and hits really hard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585178' first='Lorne' last='Green'] (Belleville Althoff)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green caught our attention throughout his junior season.&nbsp; The 6'2" long and rangy defensive back is effective as both a free safety and press corner.&nbsp; On the back end he goes after the ball in the air and has excellent instincts making plays.&nbsp; Cuts in front of passes. Can also play as a press corner or slot corner showing quickness and quality footwork. Closes ground fast on short and intermediate routes getting his hands knocking down passes.&nbsp; Solid tackler in run support and is a sound special teams player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1303036' first='Christopher' last='Chang'] (Lake Zurich)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chang is a corner that has a long and strong frame at 6'1" 185 pounds. Press corner that can play physical at the line.&nbsp; High points ball in air and makes quick breaks on passes. Hard hitter that also makes impactful plays forcing fumbles and stripping the ball from offensive players.&nbsp; Nose for the ball.&nbsp; Awesome play on tape showing his instincts they were running an option play at him and he cut in and grabbed the pitch and took it to the house.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605601' first='Colton' last='Benaitis'] (Lockport)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benaitis is a 6'1" safety with a strong frame . Goes after ball very aggressively over the middle.&nbsp; Cuts in front of receivers for interceptions.&nbsp; Good back pedal and can transition quickly forward.&nbsp; Separates the ball from pass catcher.&nbsp; Nose for the ball and is a hard hitter.&nbsp; Like what he brings as a centerfielder and his instincts in the middle of the field.&nbsp; Also brings value as a core special teams player including as a long snapper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1550211' first='Jordan' last='Lampkins'] (Bolingbrook)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lampkins is a 6'1" 180 pound safety that explodes to the ball.&nbsp; Makes plays in the box flying to the ball carrier.&nbsp; Can read the QB's eyes on the back end and stuffs in the run game.&nbsp; Capable of covering TE over the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josh Matheny (Evergreen Park)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matheny is a long and big corner at 6'2".&nbsp; He has good closing speed, solid footwork, and excellent technique. Can come off primary to make play on ball. Wraps up low to make tackles in run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1670018' first='Quincy' last='Blaise'] (Naperville North)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blaise has nice size at 6'3" 165 pounds.&nbsp; As a junior he recorded 3 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, and 19 solo tackles. Blaise is best as a free safety and centerfielder that plays deep.&nbsp; Cuts in front of man and shows fluid footwork on the back in.&nbsp; Runs to the ball and wraps up low.&nbsp; Gunner on punt return unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570745' first='Cayden' last='Birmingham'] (Maroa-Forsyth)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liked what we saw out of Birmingham as a 5'11" corner that consistently makes plays on the ball with his length and instincts.&nbsp; High points passes on the back end.&nbsp; Technically sound player that can go off primary to make plays.&nbsp; Ton of pass break ups on deep balls and intermediate routes.&nbsp; Willing tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1601300' first='Bryant' last='Henley'] (O'Fallon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henley is a 5'10" corner that is technically sound. Quick change of direction.&nbsp; Runs well downfield with man. Flies to the ball in the run game where he tends to tackle high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850831' first='Jackson' last='Mansker'] (Lincoln Way West)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mansker is a well built 6'1" defensive back that as a junior went for 70 tackles, 1 interception, 7 PBU, 2 fumble recoveries, and a pair of safeties.&nbsp; Physical hitter over the middle separating receivers from the ball.&nbsp; Tough vs the run in the box.&nbsp; Safety that could slide down and play some linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1670095' first='Dominic' last='White'] (Kankakee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White is a big corner at 6'2" 180 pounds.&nbsp; He can turn and run with receivers.&nbsp; Solid all-around skill set that also contributes on coverage units.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->