Top NCISAA Defensive Backs To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 North Carolina high school football season is nearly here. It can be easy to miss talented players across the state, and often fans miss some of the best players, especially at private schools. We're almost finished with our series highlighting the top NCISAA players. Here, we're looking at the defensive backs across the private school landscape, and let me tell you, there's plenty of talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Get 30% off your first billing cycle with promo code Helms30*</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top NCISAA Linebackers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: Check out our other NCISAA breakdowns:</em><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/top-ncisaa-qbs-to-know/">QBs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/ncisaa-rbs-to-know-2/">RBs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/ncisaa-wrs-to-know-in-2026/">WRs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/ncisaa-ol-to-know-in-2026/">OL</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/ncisaa-defensive-linemen-to-know/">IDLs</a></strong><br><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/ncisaa-edge-rushers-to-know/">Edge Rushers</a></strong><br><strong>LBs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1610603"],"_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-6a583b8594e14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While several teams have recruited him as a linebacker, I'm willing to die on the hill that Geathers could be one of the best box safeties in college football. He recently chose Florida over a slew of Power Four offers, and he has the size, speed, and football I.Q. to step into the lineup early in his college career. He had seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, and eight pass breakups last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1693987"],"_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-6a583b8594e56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whenever Haynes has the ball in his hands on film, I often think that maybe he should play more offense. He's electric whenever he touches the ball, whether as a kick returner or on one of the (many) interceptions or fumble recoveries he made last season. At the same time, his length, deceleration, and breaks on the ball make it obvious why he plays corner. Honestly, he's probably a bit underrecruited, as we have an FBS grade on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1292543"],"_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-6a583b8594e7a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barnes doesn't get enough credit for his talent, as he's surrounded by several Power Four commits. He's a middle-of-the-field ballhawk who isn't afraid to step up and make plays in the running game. He's physical, willing to take on much bigger tight ends and receivers. Still, he has a great frame, and he's not a small guy by any stretch of the imagination. A year in a college weight room will do wonders for his game, and we like his game a lot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1610599"],"_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-6a583b8594e9c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stewart's raw numbers don't jump off the page, but that has some to do with the fact that he's rarely tested at corner. He's a talented cover guy who can match receivers in man or put himself in excellent positions with his zone awareness. We're looking forward to what could be an excellent senior season for the HPCA star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616117"],"_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-6a583b8594ebe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After playing some quarterback in the past, Balcerzak is completely locked in at safety. His speed is the first thing that jumps out, as he's a sub-4.5 guy who can really go. He works well at safety because he has great anticipation to jump routes. That comes from a feel for the bigger picture. He's one of those rare underclassmen who understands route <em>concepts</em> and not just the single route in front of him, which puts him in a position to make plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other NCISAA DBs To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cameron Kiehl</strong> | Metrolina Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nate Dollard</strong> | Providence Day</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stone Eich</strong> | Providence Day</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anthony McGill</strong> | Charlotte Latin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Micah Crenshaw</strong> | Metrolina Christian</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>.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->