Tennessee 2029 Rankings: 30+ Defensive Backs To Know In The State

After a year of finding prospects, evaluating them in person and on film, speaking with different coaches and sources throughout the state, the Prep Redzone Next Tennessee Class of 2029 Rankings and Watchlist is complete. This list contains nearly 400 prospects that are set to make their high school football debut this upcoming fall---and the talent is immense.   A few things to remember:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Other than the Top-10 overall rankings, EVERY OTHER SECTION IS LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY FIRST NAME</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>This list is NOT final and will be updated by Prep Redzone Tennessee as HS careers progress</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Things change quickly on this level and there may be incorrect information that I simply missed/wasn't aware of </li> </ul>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Defensive Backs Ranked in Top-10 Overall</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">None.</h3>     <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Jamison-Beshearse-body.png?w=875" alt="" class="wp-image-1724577" style="width:524px;height:auto" /></figure>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Top-10 Defensive Back Prospect Watchlist </h2>   **Listed Alphabetically By First Name**    Briarcrest Christian welcomes a deep group of 2029s with talent at every position. In the Defensive Secondary, three-sport stud [player_tooltip player_id='1697466' first='Asher' last='Whitfield'] should be a special one. Comes with versatility due to his size and speed. Strikes me as more of a Safety than a Cornerback, but has proven he's more than capable to play both. Plays with excellent closing speed. As shown with the Tennessee Future Stars, can also play a major role on Special Teams (and as a WR).     Admittedly I'm a fan of the throwback style of football, when Safeties could set the tone with a big hit early in the game without the fear of a big penalty. Not only does Maryville's [player_tooltip player_id='1707825' first='Gibby' last='Tomberlin'] have a spot on the All-Name Team, but he also scratches that itch of wanting a punishing Strong Safety. He could very easily end up as a Linebacker, in addition to excelling as a Running Back. He's a rocked up kid with great reaction time on film. He's going to be a good one.     The Knoxville Central Bobcats have a few standouts coming in with this 2029 class, and out of all the talent, I think [player_tooltip player_id='1539541' first='Greyson' last='Pace'] deserves a little bit of a closer look. A long kid who tracks the ball well in the air. Can make his fair share of plays as a Wide Receiver, but Pace looks like a great option at Free Safety. His presence on the field allows for some defensive creativity because he can cover in space of walk down into the box--or flash into the box before falling back.     I can always count on Blackman Middle School to produce some top football talent each year and this year was no different with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1633823' first='Jamison' last='Beshearse']. A fleet-footed WR/CB prospect, his explosion and first-step quickness is excellent. He can get physical and press off the line, but he plays better in traditional coverage. Plays baseball at a high level as well, which gives him a leg up with hand-eye coordination and anticipating routes. He's always a threat for an INT.     The Bearden MAC program won a Conference title a year ago and was riddled with special talent at every position. [player_tooltip player_id='1538993' first='Markise' last='Witt Jr.'] was arguably the most versatile skill guy on the team last year and he'll bring that ability to Knoxville Catholic for high school. He could easily fit in the ATH category with what he can do as a Running Back and Wide Receiver, but by several accounts he's blazing his path as a Safety. After all, defense is in his blood, as he's the younger brother of Kentucky Linebacker Steven Soles Jr.     One of the best pure athletes in state of Tennessee class for the class 2029. As good as he is on the football field, he matches that in basketball and baseball. Last year played a lot of Quarterback for Alcoa Middle School because he was the best athlete on the field. I've seen him play Wide Receiver for the Tennessee Future Stars and he also did well there. Long term he looks like a versatile Safety or a big Corner depending on how he continues to come along. Ball skills are a huge plus.     Franklin Road Academy has a nice group coming in and the leader of that group in terms of athletic ability is undoubtedly [player_tooltip player_id='1538206' first='Re'mello' last='Armstrong']. Armstrong played like a man amongst boys as an eighth-grader at Rose Park Middle School last year, helping them to the second of their back-to-back Metro Nashville Public Schools City championships. Armstrong has posted very impressive combine numbers in recent months at multiple events--namely a 32.5" vertical and a 4.37 in the forty. Check out his social media and you'll see him throwing down a two-handed dunk after catching it off the backboard, too. Impressive kid.     One can't put together a middle school list in Tennessee without representation from Havenview Middle School in Memphis. One of the most talented feeder programs in the state was at it again this year, producing [player_tooltip player_id='1305196' first='Reagan' last='Bullard'] who will be on his way to White Haven High School. Bullard is on the smaller side but is a lockdown Corner. Can also be a factor in Return game. Athletic kid who excellent change of direction. Reported his first two offers from Southern Miss and Austin Peay in early June.     After a strong middle school career at Chattanooga Prep, Bivens will be suiting up for Boyd-Buchanan this upcoming year. He's seeing early time as both a Wide Receiver and at Safety at this point. Has shown good range and the ability to not get caught with his eyes in the backfield. One the biggest takeaways on film is his ability to read and patrol his side in a 2-deep Safety look. Does a nice job of planting his foot and exploding while changing direction, to cover ground quickly.      <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Jayden-Leavy-Body.png?w=875" alt="" class="wp-image-1724886" style="width:524px;height:auto" /></figure>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">The Best of the Rest Defensive Back Prospect Watchlist </h2>   **Listed Alphabetically By First Name**   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1617205' first='Aaden' last='Adams'] | Antioch High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727094' first='Aiden' last='Pinote'] | Columbia Central High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727100' first='Antonio' last='Crockett'] | White Station High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1676349' first='Braxton' last='Swift'] | Gibbs High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1649219' first='Caleb' last='Reed'] | Goodpasture Christian School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1618082' first='Chae' last='Raines'] | Wilson Central High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1704735' first='CJ' last='McClure'] | Father Ryan High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727281' first='Elijah' last='Smith'] | Munford High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1724997' first='Hunter' last='Moretz'] | Powell High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1308231' first='Irving' last='Fullilove'] | Houston High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1724998' first='Jack' last='McDonald'] | Montgomery Bell Academy</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1538137' first='Jayden' last='Leavy'] | Brighton High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1643180' first='Jordan' last='Jones'] | Lipscomb Academy</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1553969' first='Josiah' last='McClure'] | Oak Ridge High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727391' first='Kelijah' last='Lee'] | Boyd-Buchanan School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1552697' first='Kevondre' last='Bass'] | Oakland High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727383' first='Keyonte' last='Daniel'] | Northview Academy</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1246210' first='Kylan' last='Williams'] | Battle Ground Academy</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1725000' first='Porter' last='Smith'] | Farragut High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1617137' first='Richard' last='Malone'] | Gallatin High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727118' first='Taejon' last='Ramey'] | Bearden High School</li> </ul>

After a year of finding prospects, evaluating them in person and on film, speaking with different coaches and sources throughout the state, the Prep Redzone Next Tennessee Class of 2029 Rankings and Watchlist is complete. This list contains nearly 400 prospects that are set to make their high school football debut this upcoming fall---and the talent is immense.