2026 DB New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're in the middle of an August Rankings Update <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/august-rankings-update-behind-the-scenes-of-the-2026-class/">built more on additions than movement</a>. Accordingly, we've got a lot of new players to look at. We hit all the offensive players earlier this week, and the defensive line Friday and Saturday. We also looked at some <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/2026-lb-new-additions/">linebackers</a>. Here, we're finishing the 2026s by breaking down a few of the 25(!) new defensive backs to our rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at some 2026 DB new additions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">New 2026 DBs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1705638"],"_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-6897f644a183e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Patillo's ball production is his calling card as he's had at least five interceptions in each of the last two seasons. He's really put in the work in the weight room, getting up near 180, from what we've heard, which should really help his college prospects, given the coverage skills and ball production are both excellent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1707774"],"_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-6897f644a18a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams is looking to get back up to full speed as a senior, but his upside has been noticed by college coaches. He's a physical safety who can cause havoc in the running game. In coverage, he shows good zone awareness and we think he could have a good senior season, if healthy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1751631"],"_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-6897f644a18f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Both stronger, and faster than the average high school defensive back, Williams is a warrior in the weight room and he's able to use that athleticism and drive to his advantage on the field. He can play either corner or safety, but played an interesting "boundary safety" position for a lot of 2024. There, he was able to play facing the quarterback and excelled in zone coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1732008"],"_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-6897f644a1938"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A linebacker-safety hybrid, we like Medley most as a box safety at the next level. The Appalachian State commit was active both in the run game and in coverage last season with five pass breakups, three picks, and over 80 tackles and his speed and instincts really play at this level. He played a ton near the line-of-scrimmage, so as he gets more comfortable in space, he'll be a complete defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1718578"],"_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-6897f644a197e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McDowell was a bit off my radar until he started to gain some recruiting momentum. Matt Morrow was <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/standout-defensive-players-from-gardner-webb-mega-camp/">impressed with him at the Gardner-Webb Megacamp</a> and he earned an offer there, one he quickly turned into a commitment to the Bulldogs. He's extremely long and athletic, a guy who can come down and play the run or stay back and thrive in coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1751616"],"_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-6897f644a19c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bachiller is a long, lean safety prospect with some serious upside for Palisades. His specialty is in coverage, where his length and acceleration allow him to get to balls other defensive backs can't. As he gets stronger, he should be able to be a bit scarier in run defense and if he becomes a complete player, FCS schools will come calling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1721116"],"_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-6897f644a1a07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We really dove into Nance's profile when compiling our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/prep-redzone-2a-preseason-all-state-team/">2A All-State Team</a>, and while the numbers are impressive, we were more impressed with <em>how</em> he plays. He's physical, can play man or zone, and has a great football I.Q. That's how he's always around the ball, among his team leaders in tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other 2026 DB New Additions</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1674414' first='Gavin' last='Michael Smith']</strong>, South Point</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1730599' first='Ezekiel' last='Stokes']</strong>, C.E. Jordan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1727063' first='Parker' last='Burleson']</strong>, Mountain Heritage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1727051' first='Derrick' last='Reid Jr.']</strong>, Carver</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1721167' first='Demond' last='Williams']</strong>, West Columbus</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1720274' first='Uriah' last='Riggins']</strong>, Pine Forest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1716155' first='Drew' last='Johnson']</strong>, Lake Norman Charter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715930' first='Jayden' last='Evans']</strong>, West Johnson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1706349' first='Jaylen' last='Hinton']</strong>, East Rutherford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1709365' first='Ryan' last='Person']</strong>, Enloe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1709363' first='Davis' last='Cunningham']</strong>, Broughton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1707515' first='DeAndre' last='Charles']</strong>, RJ Reynolds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1751614' first='Austin' last='Jackson']</strong>, Northwest Guilford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1706209' first='Jonah' last='Thienel']</strong>, Union Pines</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704833' first='Devaun' last='Brewington']</strong>, Greene Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1706205' first='Drew' last='Dougherty']</strong>, Union Pines</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1709350' first='Ashish' last='Varadaraju']</strong>, Green Level</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368435' first='Kyle' last='Bynes']</strong>, Palisades</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->