3A/4A DBs To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June is one of my favorite months of the Prep Redzone Calendar because we get to start preseason content. One thing I loved last year was taking the time to break down players by classification. Players in the smaller classifications get overlooked, so we want to make sure to properly cover those classes. We're almost finished looking at the guys in the lower classifications, and here we're looking at the top defensive back prospects in the 3A and 4A classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Five 3A/4A Defensive Backs to Know in 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: Check out our other 3A/4A Breakdowns</em><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-quarterbacks-to-know/">QBs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-running-backs-to-know/">RBs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-wrs-to-know-2/">WRs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/small-school-offensive-linemen-to-know/">Small-School OL</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-interior-defensive-linemen-to-know-2/">IDLs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-edge-rushers-to-know-2/">Edge Rushers</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-lbs-to-know-2/">LBs</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1685581' first='Tariq' last='Leggett']</strong> | Fairmont</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leggett is a raw, versatile defensive back with plenty of upside. He has the size, speed, ball skills, and instincts to be a high-level prospect and will probably play at the Power Four level in the future. He made 65 tackles as a junior and has six career interceptions in two years on the varsity squad. We expect a strong year from him and don't think enough people know about his talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1727067' first='Nathan' last='Helms']</strong> | North Stanly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most productive defensive backs in the state, Helms has picked off seven passes in each of the last two seasons for North Stanly while playing multiple positions. He has the length and hips to play corner, but also the anticipation, instincts, and range to play safety. He certainly doesn't get enough recognition relative to his past production, and we once again expect him to have a big season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2169831' first='Andre' last='Grier']</strong> | Ayden-Grifton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We just highlighted Grier when <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/scouting-east-carolinas-2027-in-state-commits/">scouting East Carolina's in-state commits</a>, as the Ayden-Grifton defender recently pledged to the Pirates. Grier is a highly athletic, lengthy corner with plenty of upside. The Chargers lose some key offensive players, and Grier has two-way ability, if the coaching staff uses him that way. He's a fun player to watch, and we're excited to see what he can do as a rising senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1623147' first='Grady' last='Beam']</strong> | Hibriten</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like several top 4A defensive backs, Beam was a key two-way contributor for a good Hibriten team. He had 20 receptions for over 400 yards as a receiver and was a lockdown corner, picking off three passes and making 44 tackles last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1896729' first='Jayden' last='Pipkins']</strong> | T.W. Andrews</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A promising young safety prospect, Pipkins impressed as just one of two freshmen to rack up over 100 tackles last season. He has excellent size and length, and was a key part of his Andrews team. He caught 17 passes as a receiver and picked off two throws from his safety position. He should continue to develop into one of the top defensive backs in his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 3A/4A DBs To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1653671' first='Maurice' last='Howell Jr'].</strong> | West Iredell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2155905' first='Kylan' last='Mason']</strong> | Mt. Airy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2158985' first='Trashawn' last='Manson']</strong> | Louisburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2169832' first='Adrian' last='Glover']</strong> | Wallace-Rose Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2175379' first='Jorden' last='Robinson']</strong> | Reidsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Our preseason coverage is just getting started. Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview, <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our survey</a>. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Help them get 30% off their first billing cycle with promo code Helms30.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->