Spotlight On 2026 Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I continue to focus on the defensive side of the ball, I wanted to show some love to those who roam the defensive backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each of these prospects is ranked in the Kansas Class of 2026, but all of them are outside the Top 100 and looking for more respect. Each also plays for a school in Northeast Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beginning in August, I will shift some attention to focusing on team previews.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coaches in Northeast Kansas are encouraged to send me a team prospectus if you would like your program to be featured by Prep Redzone. I can be reached at deckscoutks@gmail.com.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for another report later today featuring athletes from the Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598868' first='Leighton' last='Boldridge'],</strong> ATH/DB, 6'1”, 190, Atchison, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Atchison's Boldridge is ranked No. 108 overall. He is a versatile multi-sport talent. On the defensive side of the ball, he picked off five pass attempts during his junior season and recorded 23 tackles in nine games. He carried the ball 65 times for the Phoenix last season, for 667 yards and five touchdowns. He also plays basketball and wrestles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1228921' first='Jeremiah' last='Johnson'],</strong> ATH, 5'10”, 170, Bishop Miege, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is ranked No. 117 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. Every time I see his name, I am taken back to Robert Redford's 1972 flick about Mountain Man. Miege's Johnson is as tough as a Grizzly Bear and quick like a elk He finished his junior season with five interceptions and 31 tackles. He has good hands, which also resulted in four pass breakups and 13 receptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='780353' first='Drake' last='Mellies'],</strong> ATH, 5'10”, 165, Jackson Heights, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cobra quarterback Mellies is ranked No. 171 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. His defensive skills get overlooked as coaches and scouts tend to focus on his offensive numbers. In three years of varsity action, Mellies has registered 11 interceptions and 52 total tackles. During his junior season, he threw for 1,151 yards and rushed for 1,103. In three seasons, he has accounted for 61 total touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1673808' first='Karson' last='Toburen'],</strong> LB/DB, 6'1”, 195, Rock Creek, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toburen is ranked No. 241 by Prep Redzone Kansas. He has the size and speed to play safety or linebacker. He recorded 66 tackles for the Mustangs last season. His quickness helped him record four quarterback sacks and 10 tackles for lost yardage. The Rock Creek prospect also has a nose for the football, recovering one fumble and grabbing four interceptions last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113371' first='Kam' last='Staton'],</strong> QB/DB, 6'0”, 170, Pleasanton, '26</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another small-school prospect who gets noticed more on the offensive side of the ball is Pleasanton's Staton. He is ranked No. 272 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. He recorded five interceptions and 24 tackles as a junior. &nbsp;He has three straight 1,000-yard passing seasons for the Blu-Jays. He is an accurate passer, completing close to 50 percent of all pass attempts each season. Over three seasons, he has thrown 48 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->