Safeties 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 safeties. 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":2087636} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Photo-Dec-21-2025-4-10-09-PM-crop-1008x662-1766355128.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2087636" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BGA ATH Jake Berte. Photo from his Instagram @jakeberte.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 Jake Berte – Battle Ground Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising sophomore Jake Berte announced his transfer to BGA this week, giving them another quality player to an already loaded secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I first saw him at National Playmakers Academy's 7v7 workout last week, and I was thoroughly impressed. He possesses impressive size for his age, standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds, while having great athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berte is speedy and can cover a lot of ground in a hurry, but also brings physicality. The 2029 prospect is not scared of contact and is an excellent tackler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He plays with his hair on fire, has sound technique and good instincts for a defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1598726} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/59-Carter-Charapata-rotated-e1736532965498.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1598726" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Baylor DB [player_tooltip player_id='1565624' first='Carter' last='Charapata'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1565624' first='Carter' last='Charapata'] – Baylor School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1565624' first='Carter' last='Charapata'] was a standout player for Chattanooga Christian School, but has recently announced that he will be transferring to Baylor School. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a larger safety, standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds, with a long, lean frame. Charapata is an exciting prospect who excels in coverage but brings a lot of physicality, making him a fun player to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After losing some key players, Charapata should be an excellent player for Erik Kimrey's squad in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2078169} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/IMG_3719_0e0c69.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-2078169" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: USJ DB [player_tooltip player_id='1687518' first='Bradley' last='Stamper'] on X/Twitter.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1687518' first='Bradley' last='Stamper'] – University School of Jackson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1687518' first='Bradley' last='Stamper'] is an intriguing player who has been productive but possesses the skills and physical tools to emerge as one of the best defensive backs in Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He had a nice junior season for USJ, recording 16 tackles, two for a loss, one sack and four interceptions, but is poised for a breakout campaign in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising senior plays cornerback, but fits the mold of a safety, where I think he'd be even more effective. Stamper boasts great size, standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 182 pounds with a long frame and good athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is exceptionally fluid, has good ball instincts and a top-tier work ethic, which is setting him up for a big senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2090086} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Photo-Dec-27-2025-3-59-30-PM-crop-1320x867-1766872852.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2090086" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Blackman DB [player_tooltip player_id='1648722' first='Felix' last='Mitchell']. Photo from his Instagram @felix_mitchell2.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1648722' first='Felix' last='Mitchell'] – Blackman High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blackman's [player_tooltip player_id='1648722' first='Felix' last='Mitchell'] is a talented player who saw time last season, but is due for a breakout 2026 campaign with two defensive backs graduating.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising senior is well built as a 6-foot, 170-pound strong safety with a lean frame and strong athleticism. He runs a 4.56 40-yard dash, but is highly fluid and can move sideline-to-sideline quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a solid coverage defensive back, but my favorite part of Mitchell's game is his tackling ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only can he walk up and be effective as a box safety, but the 2027 prospect excels at chasing down players and tackling in the open field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2090087} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Photo-Dec-21-2025-4-20-59-PM-crop-1319x867-1766872899.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2090087" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: BGA DB [player_tooltip player_id='1065916' first='Jeisun' last='Thompson'] at an NPA 7v7 event.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1065916' first='Jeisun' last='Thompson'] – Battle Ground Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1065916' first='Jeisun' last='Thompson'] missed the 2025 season due to an injury, but he is one of the defensive backs I expect to have a huge junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He plays safety, but is a versatile athlete with the ability to move all over the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would not be shocked at all to see him used in multiple ways, but his skills as a safety stick out. He's a strong tackler with an extremely high motor, allowing him to be a do-it-all player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson will likely make his long-awaited debut with the Wildcats next season, where he is expected to become a highly productive player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->