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With the growth of the passing game in high school football, a top-end defensive secondary is crucial to a team's success. Defensive backs must not only be able to cover an opponent's wide receiving threats but also stand up against the run and be capable and willing tacklers.
Here's our list of the area's best defensive backs entering the 2026 season in alphabetical order.
Now it's your turn to decide which one is the best in our poll. To vote, scroll to the bottom or CLICK HERE.
Get discount to stream high school games on NFHS Network
The 5-foot-10, 160-pound senior was a turnover machine for the Sharks last season with seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. Crane also posted 51 tackles.
The 6-foot-2 transfer from Aubrey Rogers totaled 56 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries at safety last season.
The Coastal Carolina commit had 57 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble for the Vikings last season.
The Minnesota commit finished with 36 total tackles, four pass breakups and one interception for the Vikings last season.
The Vanderbilt commit is also a track and field standout who medaled at the 2026 state meet in the 200 and 400, uses his superior closing speed to shut down passing windows.
The Illinois commit had 29 tackles, broke up five passes, picked off three and forced a fumble for the Celtics last season.
The 5-foot-9, 155-pound senior won the Broxson Trophy last season as Collier's best all-round player. On defense, he recorded three interceptions and two pass breakups while also catching 34 passes for 600 yards and six touchdowns and rushing for 254 yards and six more scores.
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior had a team-leading four interceptions for the Golden Eagles last year to go along with 22 total tackles. Marc will be counted on to help lead the Naples secondary once he returns from a knee injury suffered late last season
The senior safety has recorded more than 50 tackles in every season of his career since his freshman year at Cypress Lake. Last season, McKay posted more than 100 tackles in eight games for the Panthers.
Noel is a playmaker for the Trojans at safety, totaling 54 tackles (37 solo) and four interceptions a year ago.
At ECS last season, the Mercer commit recorded 41 tackles and picked off two passes from the safety position.
The senior was an All-Area first-team selection in 2024 after posting 52 tackles, six takeaways, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, a forced fumble and a blocked punt.
The 5-foot-9, 160-pound senior led the Indians with four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, while adding 22 total tackles and five pass breakups. On offense, he caught seven passes for 134 yards and two more scores.
The 6-foot-2 junior will be a player to watch at defensive back and wide receiver for the Wildcats this season. Last year on defense, he recorded 17 tackles with one interception, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. Zadach has reported offers from Iowa State and North Dakota State.
Contact Sports Reporter Dan DeLuca at [email protected]. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: SW Florida high school football's 14 best DBs for 2026. Vote for No. 1
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Here's our list of the area's best defensive backs entering the 2026 season in alphabetical order.
Now it's your turn to decide which one is the best in our poll. To vote, scroll to the bottom or CLICK HERE.
Get discount to stream high school games on NFHS Network
Torren Crane, Gulf Coast
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The 5-foot-10, 160-pound senior was a turnover machine for the Sharks last season with seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. Crane also posted 51 tackles.
Ryker Cusick, First Baptist
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The 6-foot-2 transfer from Aubrey Rogers totaled 56 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries at safety last season.
Robenson Duclona, Bishop Verot
The Coastal Carolina commit had 57 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble for the Vikings last season.
Jyden German, Bishop Verot
The Minnesota commit finished with 36 total tackles, four pass breakups and one interception for the Vikings last season.
Levi McKenzie, Riverdale
The Vanderbilt commit is also a track and field standout who medaled at the 2026 state meet in the 200 and 400, uses his superior closing speed to shut down passing windows.
Tyrone Howard, St. John Neumann
The Illinois commit had 29 tackles, broke up five passes, picked off three and forced a fumble for the Celtics last season.
Marshon Jackson, Immokalee
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The 5-foot-9, 155-pound senior won the Broxson Trophy last season as Collier's best all-round player. On defense, he recorded three interceptions and two pass breakups while also catching 34 passes for 600 yards and six touchdowns and rushing for 254 yards and six more scores.
Preston Marc, Naples
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The 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior had a team-leading four interceptions for the Golden Eagles last year to go along with 22 total tackles. Marc will be counted on to help lead the Naples secondary once he returns from a knee injury suffered late last season
Kamarian McKay, Fort Myers
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The senior safety has recorded more than 50 tackles in every season of his career since his freshman year at Cypress Lake. Last season, McKay posted more than 100 tackles in eight games for the Panthers.
Maksim Noel, Lely
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Noel is a playmaker for the Trojans at safety, totaling 54 tackles (37 solo) and four interceptions a year ago.
Jacquez Outten, Bishop Verot
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At ECS last season, the Mercer commit recorded 41 tackles and picked off two passes from the safety position.
Latroy Pender Jr., Riverdale
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The senior was an All-Area first-team selection in 2024 after posting 52 tackles, six takeaways, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, a forced fumble and a blocked punt.
Kendrick Perry, Immokalee
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The 5-foot-9, 160-pound senior led the Indians with four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, while adding 22 total tackles and five pass breakups. On offense, he caught seven passes for 134 yards and two more scores.
Lincoln Zadach, Estero
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The 6-foot-2 junior will be a player to watch at defensive back and wide receiver for the Wildcats this season. Last year on defense, he recorded 17 tackles with one interception, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. Zadach has reported offers from Iowa State and North Dakota State.
Contact Sports Reporter Dan DeLuca at [email protected]. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: SW Florida high school football's 14 best DBs for 2026. Vote for No. 1
Continue reading...
