Five More Western Kansas Defensive Backs to Watch

I have already wrote about two Western Kansas positional groups, linebackers and safeties. In this write-up I'll showcase five more Western Kansas secondary players that can play either cornerback or safety. Each one of these prospects are 2026 kids.   I have had the opportunity to see many of these prospects already play this past season or perform this summer in different camps and combines. It has been a joy to watch them develop and perform at a high level. All of these kids have already started to pick-up college football offers or will be getting their fair share in due time.   Represented in this article are kids hailing from the Western Athletic Conference, the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail - I, the Central Kansas League and two from the Great West Activities Conference.   Once again profiles for each of these athletes have been created on Prep Redzone and can be claimed by using the following link.   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospects-index/#claim-profile-anchor">https://prepredzone.com/prospects-index/#claim-profile-anchor</a>    The 6-foot-0, 170-pound Purdy is one of many great all-around athletes Hays High has to showcase. He was a big part of the Indians 5A football state runner-up squad this past season. He is one of the more dynamic and explosive athletes in the western half of the state.   He not only takes care of business on the football field but also in track and field. He was a state track and field participant and posted such times as a 11.1 in the 100M and a 22.6 in the 200M.   On the football field this past season, he had 17 receptions for 227 yards and three touchdowns. Averaging 13.3 yard per reception. Overall he had 405 all-purpose yards on offense, one interception and three pass break-ups on defense, even if he missed three games due to injury.   Purdy also excels in the classroom, where he has a 3.5 GPA. He already holds a NAIA offer but more should be coming in due time.     The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Cheeks is a dynamic cornerback who possess very good length and has the ability to play either the nickel or out on the perimeter for the Cougars.   This past fall he had 22 tackles (11 solo and 11 assisted) and one pass break-up. He looks to take on a much bigger role for the Cougars this coming fall.   An all-around athlete, he also showed quite well this past winter in basketball for Salina South.   Lastly much like Purdy, he takes care of business in the classroom where he holds a 3.95 GPA. He is already picking up college offers after having a very good camp/combine season and it will be fun to see where he ends up on signing day.     The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Hernandez is a big time athlete that has starred in three sports (football, basketball and track).   The First Team All-Great West Activities Conference defensive back had 1077 yards rushing on offense and had 52 tackles, six interceptions (two for scores) and two fumble recoveries on the season.   He is a very agiles, aggressive and explosive athlete. In track he has a big time leap of 44'5.5" in the triple jump (school record).   Hernandez was also a Honorable Mention All-League performer in basketball for Hugoton. Nonetheless he is a definite college athlete, question is for what sport in the end? He has the potential to be something big-time on the gridiron.     The 5-foot-9, 155-pound Meraz is a dazzling playmaker for the Tigers and that helped him be honored as a Second Team All-Great West Activities Conference defensive back.   This past fall defensively he had 32 tackles (25 solo and 7 assisted), five interceptions and one fumble recovery.   On offense he chipped in with 23 catches for 275 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver. Overall he had 946 all-purpose yards on the season.   He may not have the length that others may have but he is a very shifty athlete that looks to take a huge jump this coming season. Meraz is definitely a cornerback that college coaches need to keep an eye on this coming fall.     Hoisington has seen great success the last handful of seasons and Martin looks to help the Cardinals finally get over the hump and win the 2A state title.   The 6-foot-1, 165-pound playmaker excels in three sports (football, basketball and baseball) but he has already seen offers start pouring in for football after a stellar summer camp/combine season.   Possessing a 4.7 forty and a 21'4" long jump, he shows his explosiveness that should only improve as he gets bigger and stronger.   The Second Team All-Central Kansas League performer was honored as such as both a defensive back and as a receiver this past season. On the season he had 27 tackles (23 solo and 4 assisted) and four interceptions on defense.   Offensively he was a big receiving threat in the Cardinals flexbone offense. He had 33 catches for 655 yards (19.8 yards per reception) and 11 touchdowns the last two seasons. Look for him to becoming an even bigger weapon this coming fall.   As mentioned, he is a three sport star and he was honored as a First Team All-League and a Second Team All-State 3A performer in basketball. Martin averaged 15.0 points per game, 1.9 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.   Time will tell if it is a football or basketball that he ends up playing in college?    Be on the look-out for more positional updates in the coming weeks. Next article will be showcasing some of the top defensive ends that the western half of the state has to offer. There are some big time studs at that respective position. It may even be a two part update in the end. Once again I'm eager to get out and see new kids I am unaware about and start giving them the proper pub they deserve. If you knows of anyone that fits that bill and needs the proper attention, reach out to me at @Coach_Mitchum on X.

I have already wrote about two Western Kansas positional groups, linebackers and safeties. In this write-up I'll showcase five more Western Kansas secondary players that can play either cornerback or safety. Each one of these prospects are 2026 kids.