2026 RANKINGS UPDATE: Defensive Back Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FALL UPDATE:</strong> We have officially released a new set of rankings for the class of 2026 in Arkansas. In this article, we will showcase the 2026 defensive backs with analysis. Over the next month, I will break down these rankings by position in each class, including other segments. For the defensive backs, I will provide you with evaluations of some of the top prospects and the players flying under the radar:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2495","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2456","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68bedf236b861"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212235"],"_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-68bedf236deb6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='212235' first='Tay' last='Lockett'] lands at number nine overall and second at the position. He's a high-IQ safety who can cover the entire field, sideline-to-sideline, with good athletic ability. Lockett displays good read and react ability in the deep thirds, often challenging the catch point over the top. He's a prospect to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 2X Max-Preps All-American</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/lockett_tay/status/1956369445275808166","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/lockett_tay/status/1956369445275808166 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["701205"],"_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-68bedf236df59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='701205' first='Kaleb' last='Roach'] looks to continue his ball-hawking display this season. He comes in at number 126 overall and 10th at the position. Roach displays good footwork and fluidity in his backpedal, allowing him to transition quickly with good balance. He minimizes separation off breaks due to his good COD, balance, and burst. Overall, he possesses good recovery speed, which is complemented by his ability to read and react effectively in the secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.8 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/kalebroach2026/status/1962282787530035283","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kalebroach2026/status/1962282787530035283 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1620349"],"_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-68bedf236dfe2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1620349' first='Taylon' last='Peterson'] is a prospect to watch this Friday. He displays good footwork and foot quickness in his backpedal and demonstrates the fluidity to transition swiftly. He can stay over the top during breaks, allowing him to force pass breakups and contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.6 40</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Taylon_Peterson/status/1887548902640914730","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Taylon_Peterson/status/1887548902640914730 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1668625"],"_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-68bedf236e063"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1668625' first='Isaiah' last='Davis'] impressed us over the summer, and I expect him to continue his development over the fall. He lands at number 399 overall and 41 at the position. He plays with a relentless motor. Davis displays solid read-and-react skills, attacking downhill against the run with solid angles. He can play over the top and maintain tight coverage in the hip pocket of receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.4 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ZayZDa2/status/1964523424094753241","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ZayZDa2/status/1964523424094753241 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1584057"],"_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-68bedf236e0e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1584057' first='Eric' last='Tims'] gets his first-ever ranking, and I expect him to rise in our final update post-season. Tims has been impressive this season. He switches through zone coverage effectively due to his solid read-and-react ability and change of direction. Keep an eye on him this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - Multi-Position Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/EricTimsjr/status/1964330098015731878","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EricTimsjr/status/1964330098015731878 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER TOP 100 DEFENSIVE BACKS:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id='466187' first='Kyndrick' last='Williams'] (Fayetteville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id='855568' first='Tari' last='Ransom Jr'] (Sylvan Hills)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. [player_tooltip player_id='1307574' first='Braden' last='Simpson'] (Southside)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='1152703' first='Braylon' last='Stigger'] (Pine Bluff)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='1286615' first='Keyvion' last='Duckery'] (Hamburg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='1092086' first='Pleas' last='Gray'] (Little Rock Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='401204' first='Matthew' last='Ferguson'] (Bryant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->