Cornerbacks Primed for Breakout Seasons In 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Tennessee high school football season concluded two weeks ago with the East-West All-Star Game, marking the start of preparations for the upcoming season. There's a plethora of young players who got their feet wet this season, and some who took the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm starting a new series discussing players at each position who are poised to enjoy breakout campaigns in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next in the series are the cornerbacks. I've selected five potential breakout stars to discuss. The majority of the student-athletes on this list are underclassmen, with one being a rising senior who has shown immense potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2089758} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Photo-Dec-26-2025-8-00-20-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2089758" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Whitehaven CB [player_tooltip player_id='855617' first='Andrew' last='Robinson']. Photo from his X/Twitter.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='855617' first='Andrew' last='Robinson'] – Whitehaven High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitehaven's [player_tooltip player_id='855617' first='Andrew' last='Robinson'] has seen a lot of playing time over his first two seasons of high school. He's a talented player, arguably a top-three cornerback in his class, but is poised for a breakout campaign in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a compact player, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 165 pounds, but is a gritty defensive back who plays bigger than his size. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robinson is an excellent boundary corner, consistently locking down opposing wide receivers. In 13 games this season, he did not allow a touchdown while breaking up seven passes and recording two interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising junior has shown plenty of flash, but after another offseason of work, expect him to have a big 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2089760} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Photo-Dec-26-2025-8-02-23-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2089760" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: McCallie CB [player_tooltip player_id='1316718' first='Mylz' last='Williams']. Photo from his X/Twitter.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1316718' first='Mylz' last='Williams'] – McCallie School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1316718' first='Mylz' last='Williams'] is an intriguing defensive back prospect who has been a solid player for McCallie School. He's appeared in 13 games over two seasons, recording 36 tackles, four for a loss and one interception. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The turnover numbers won't wow you. However, opposing quarterbacks don't often throw his way, which is a testament to his lockdown ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams stands 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds as a cornerback/slot, but has all the tools to be productive at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore corner is physical at the line of scrimmage, moves exceptionally well, can play all over the field and is a high-motor player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1937945} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Jordan2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1937945" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Baylor CB [player_tooltip player_id='1605749' first='Jordan' last='Darren Djila']. Taken by Shayne Pickering.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1605749' first='Jordan' last='Darren Djila'] – Baylor School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1605749' first='Jordan' last='Darren Djila'] is a very talented cornerback who had a good junior season for the state champion Baylor Red Raiders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can play every position in the secondary, but is best at cornerback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Darren Djila boasts a solid physique, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds, with a lean frame and long arms. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He possesses the physical traits and also has the skills to be a top-tier defensive back in Tennessee. The rising senior is physical and very athletic, with outstanding instincts for his position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a couple of key contributors graduating, he should have a big senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1633573} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/user-uploads/Aaden-Adams-tn-29.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1633573" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Antioch ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1617205' first='Aaden' last='Adams'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 Aaden “Bug” Adams – Antioch High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1617205' first='Aaden' last='Adams'] is coming off an impressive freshman campaign for an Antioch team that had arguably its best season in program history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The compact cornerback recorded 52 tackles, one for a loss, eight pass deflections and two interceptions in 12 games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams is a speedy player with outstanding instincts for his age, a fluid body and impressive footwork.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The one part of his game that you could complain about is his size. He's a 5-foot-8, 145-pound defensive back but has plenty of time to grow, so that's not a concern of mine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams had a good first season, but expect him to take the next step in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1704933} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/user-uploads/Remello-Armstrong.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1704933" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: FRA ATH Remello Armstrong at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 Remello Armstrong – Franklin Road Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Remello Armstrong is part of the elite young core at FRA, even seeing immediate playing time as a freshman. He's an intriguing cornerback due to his ability not just to play good coverage, but also to tackle well in open space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a solid coverage corner with a smart football mind and nice instincts in the back end of that defense. But seeing him come up to make plays around the flat is fun to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's an impressive player who excels on both sides of the ball and should have a breakout season in 2026 with the departure of two veteran corners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->