Top 7 DBs in Johnston/Harnett County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're well over 250 prospects in our extensive RDU Deep Dives, and we're looking at the best defensive backs in the Triangle. Johnston/Harnett County is often overlooked, but there's a ton of talent in the area. Here, we're breaking down the top _____ in Johnston/Harnett County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Defensive Backs in Johnston/Harnett County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: The ranked linebackers are listed in order from first to sixth. Rankings reflect a combination of 2025 production and predicted 2026 impact.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other Johnston/Harnett County Deep Dives:<br></em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/johnston-harnett-county-qb-deep-dive/">QBs</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-7-rbs-in-johnston-harnett-county/">RBs</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-5-wrs-in-johnston-harnett-county/">WRs</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-10-tes-in-rdu/">RDU TEs</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-8-ol-in-wake-county/">OL</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-6-idls-in-johnston-harnett-county/">IDLs</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-6-edge-rushers-in-johnston-harnett-county/">Edge Rushers</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-6-johnston-harnett-county-lbs/">LBs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["366314"],"_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-69c4309479917"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crumel is likely going to be most heavily recruited as a corner, thanks to his prototypical build and skill set, but he can also play safety, and that versatility is a huge plus. He was working a lot last offseason on gap integrity as a run-stopper at safety, turning a former weakness into a real strength. Even with all of that, he's at his best on an island and picked off four passes last season for the Comets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1661632"],"_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-69c43094799fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Walker emerged early last year as a legitimate Division I prospect, and then backed that up with a huge junior season. The versatile safety racked up 70 tackles, picked off a pass, and recovered a fumble. He's a solid tackler, rarely missing an opportunity to bring a ball carrier down, and that steadiness was key to Clayton's playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1727145"],"_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-69c4309479ab4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barefoot plays a modified linebacker role, but he's at his best in coverage, and South Johnston asks a lot of him in that area. He's at his best as a big slot defender who can both play some man coverage and set the edge in the running game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2133929"],"_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-69c4309479ba2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Medley lives near the line of scrimmage as an aggressive box safety who loves to flow downhill. Though he's a safety, Cleveland's coaching staff loved to use him in a variety of ways, including as a standup edge rusher in empty sets. His skill set is unique among Johnston/Harnett defensive backs, and he's one of the best in the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1715912"],"_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-69c4309479c61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lovelace-Davis was mentioned to me as the guy who could outplay some of Clayton's bigger recruits last season, despite having almost no varsity experience and little recognition. The versatile coverage-first defensive back can play multiple positions in the secondary, but he thrives at corner, where his length, movement skills, and leaping abilities are maximized.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1691097"],"_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-69c4309479cf7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McDonald makes his way over to Cleveland from American Leadership Academy where he was one of the best box safeties in the 2A classification. He has good speed and a willingness to hit, which makes him an excellent run defender. He can come down in the slot and defend in man coverage. He's a nversatile chess piece for Cleveland to deploy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2102339"],"_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-69c4309479d82"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith had six interceptions last year, making him the top returner in the category in the area. He's an excellent pure cover guy with obvious ball skills and a fearlessness against bigger receivers. I wouldn't be surprised to see that interception number tick down as his ball hawk reputation grows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Names To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1646236' first='Malachi' last='Burt']</strong> | Clayton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1531724' first='Josiah' last='Bedford']</strong> | Overhills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, re-evaluate prospects, and revisit past opinions about players across the state. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you. We'll continue Deep Dives over the next month before jumping into our spring rankings update.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->