ARKANSAS 2026 RANKINGS UPDATE: Defensive Back Breakdown

<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>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1307574' first='Braden' last='Simpson'] lands at number three for the position. He just received an offer from Arkansas Tech. Simpson is a high-energy player with solid read-and-react skills, allowing him to position himself to make plays in space effectively. He takes solid angles and demonstrates good physicality at the POA, contributing to forced turnovers. Keep an eye on him throughout 2025. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.0 GPA</p>   <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/1930344718430548210 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='701205' first='Kaleb' last='Roach'] continues to rise on our board, making him a prospect to watch throughout 2025. He's an athletic defensive back recognized for his exceptional ball-hawking skills. Roach displays good footwork and fluidity in his backpedal, allowing him to transition quickly with good balance. He minimizes separation off breaks due to his good change of direction, balance, and burst. Furthermore, he possesses impressive recovery speed, which is complemented by his ability to read and react effectively in the secondary. Add him to your recruiting board. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.8 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kalebroach2026/status/1931443139191181422 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1218019' first='Ryan' last='Young'] is another rising defensive back who just received an offer from Henderson State. He lands at number 22 for the position. Young is a true zone defensive back, especially at nickel, and he can also play safety with his skill set. He can transition and switch off routes efficiently due to solid read and reaction, lateral quickness, and change of direction. He plays with a high motor, chasing down ball carriers from behind. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.0 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/2026_RyanY/status/1930357569672929455 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1659295' first='Max' last='Chavez'] is a high-motor defensive back who's a breakout candidate for the upcoming 2025 season. He's a hard-hitting defensive back who will stun runners in space and force fumbles. He plays sideline-to-sideline, chasing down ball carriers with good angles. He's also effective against screens and efficient in zone coverage. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi-Sport Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/maxchavezz2/status/1899305073882079318 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1270929' first='Aiden' last='Delamar'] continues to develop and showcase his talents over the offseason. He possesses a solid sideline-to-sideline motor and demonstrates solid angles in his ball pursuit. His footwork in backpedals and transitions is fluid, and he exhibits solid read-and-react skills in the secondary, positioning himself well to make plays on the football. Keep an eye on him in 2025. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi-Position Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/aid3n_34 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER TOP 100 DEFENSIVE BACKS:</h2>   <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='466187' first='Kyndrick' last='Williams'] (Fayetteville)</p>   <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='855568' first='Tari' last='Ransom Jr'] (Sylvan Hills)</p>   <p>4. [player_tooltip player_id='1152703' first='Braylon' last='Stigger'] (Pine Bluff)</p>   <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='1286615' first='Keyvion' last='Duckery'] (Hamburg)</p>   <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='1092086' first='Pleas' last='Gray'] (Little Rock Southwest)</p>   <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='401204' first='Matthew' last='Ferguson'] (Bryant)</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: