An Early Look: Top Defensive Backs to Watch in 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy New Year to Prep Redzone Indiana subscribers!&nbsp; We have major things coming up for you over the next several months as we kick off 2026 together.&nbsp; Along with our new series of 2027 rankings update articles, we're kicking off the new year right with an all-too-early look ahead at next season, which will be here before you know it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a quick breakdown of elite players to watch who made a big impact in 2025 and should be even better in 2026:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1866013"],"_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-696150c74b72d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Everyone knows Mitchell's potential is huge: he is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound cornerback with excellent coverage skills and flashes ability to carry deep routes while keeping his head on a swivel with the ball in the air. Mitchell is a high-impact player, and teams such as Eastern Michigan and Miami-Ohio have taken notice of his talents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1866009"],"_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-696150c74b792"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'm really surprised Power 4 teams haven't taken interest in Chancellor Adams, who is simply a ballhawk for the defending Class 6A state champions. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound safety has excellent ball skills and can be a hard hitter against the run. He can stick his foot in the ground and close when the ball is in the air as well as anybody. Key returning starter for Brownsburg next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1308724"],"_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-696150c74b7dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1308724' first='Bryce' last='Tolliver'] is a tough cover corner. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound long and rangy cornerback for Hobart breaks on the ball effectively and flashes great closing speed. Tolliver can also bust up screens and make big tackles against the run. Tall, strong and versatile, he has the athleticism to also be a legitimate deep-play threat at receiver. Holds offers from Northern Illinois and Gardner-Webb; I would expect more to come his way during the contact period.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1691879"],"_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-696150c74b820"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Some safeties are great run defenders, others are greater in pass coverage. What stands out about Elkins is that he is simply elite at both. The tall, long-limbed defensive back for Warren Central is arguably the state's top prize in the Class of 2027 and will be a huge addition to any college program. His instincts, athleticism and speed, combined with his size, make him a blue-chip prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->