Metro-Atlanta Defensive Backs Added To Latest 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These metro-Atlanta defensive backs were added to the latest 2026 Prep Redzone rankings...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1664510"],"_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-686e6d4ce01cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A tackling machine last season for the Stephenson Jaguars, Mckenzie has a nose for the football and the ability to chase down the ball-carrier both in the trenches and on the perimeter. He's a physical defender who has no problem delivering a sound hit and will occasionally force the football loose. He takes great angles against the run and it led to an impressive 94 tackles and two forced fumbles. In coverage, the playmaking safety made one INT and broke up 10 more passes. He's now ranked as the No. 60 DB prospect in the state for the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665682"],"_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-686e6d4ce022d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An instinctive defensive back with strong cover skills and an aggressive style of play against the run, Sanford showed last season that he's one of the more underrated defensive backs across Gwinnett County for the 2026 class. He plays hard, runs well, and has no problem lowering his shoulder to make a big hit on the ball-carrier. The fast-rising cornerback made 28 tackles last season with one INT, eight pass-breakups, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, and one blocked punt. He's ranked as the No. 62 DB in the state according to the latest 2026 rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665701"],"_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-686e6d4ce0288"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A versatile defensive back who can play all over the secondary, Adams is a hard-hitting defender who can make big plays both in coverage and against the run. He shows toughness, strong ball skills, and natural big-play ability. He brings a promising 6-foot-1 185-pound frame and is one of the top returning defensive backs south of Atlanta. He's bound for a giant senior season and proved last year he can play somewhere at the next level. Now, he's ranked as the No. 63 DB prospect in Georgia and could see his ranking only rise between now and when the final 2026 rankings are released down the road. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401536"],"_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-686e6d4ce02cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A playmaking safety who can also be a weapon in the return game, Ingram is an above-average athlete who covers a lot of ground in the secondary and knows how to secure the football in coverage. He shows good instincts and is one of the better tacklers on the roster. He can make a big tackle in the open field and runs well at 5-foot-11 175-pounds. He ended his junior season with 53 tackles, one sack and two INTs. He's now ranked by Prep Redzone as the No. 64 defensive back in the state for the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1677563"],"_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-686e6d4ce030f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another versatile, active defensive back with strong instincts against the pass and physicality against the run, Rose is one of the more underrated defenders across Cobb County bound for a massive final season in 2025. He shows a nose for the football and was constantly in a position to make plays for the Hillgrove defense. Rose made 84 tackles last season with 12 TFLs, one INT and several more pass-breakups. He's now ranked as the No. 65 DB prospect across Georgia for the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->