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There are many skilled defensive backs in the Sarasota-Manatee area to select from entering the 2026 high school football season.
Here's the Herald-Tribune's selection of the 12 best defensive backs in the area.
And now is your chance to have a say. Vote in our poll today for the player you think is the best quarterback in the area. Scroll to the bottom or click here to make your pick. The poll closes at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.
The nominees for best defensive backs in Sarasota and Manatee counties are:
Cleveland is a 6-foot, 170-pound junior who plays outside linebacker/strong safety. Cleveland had 41 total tackles, 25 solo tackles, two tackles for loss and one pass deflection in 2025.
Early is a 5-foot-9, 160-pound cornerback. He tallied 29 total tackles, 20 solo tackles, seven pass deflections and one forced fumble in 2025.
In 2025, Fritz — a 6-foot-5, 190-pound strong safety — had 84 total tackles and 60 solo tackles. He's entering his senior season.
Izquierdo is a 6-foot-2, 170 pound junior with offers to FIU and Toledo. He had 15 total tackles, 10 solo tackles and one tackle for loss in 2025.
Jackson is a 5-foot-10, 168-pound senior who had 39 total tackles, 22 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss, two pass deflections and two forced fumbles in 2025.
Kokoefer is a 6-foot junior who can play on both sides at the ball at wide receiver and defensive back, starting for the last two seasons. In 2025, he had 70 total tackles, 21 solo tackles, 14 tackles for loss, one sack and two quarterback hurries. He added two pass deflections, two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
Lewis is a 5-foot-10, 155 pound free safety entering his junior season. He had four total tackles and three solo tackles last season in three games.
During Cardinal Mooney's title run, McRae tallied 35 tackles, 19 pass breakups, one fumble recovered for a touchdown and two interceptions. The sophomore cornerback, who is 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, has already received 11 offers, including from Georgia, Notre Dame and Florida.
Parks is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound cornerback entering his junior season. He has two offers from FIU and Toledo. Last season, he had 15 total tackles and 10 solo tackles.
Pitchford is a three-star senior cornerback who committed to UNC over offers from Pitt, Louisville, Memphis, UConn, Boston College and Kansas State. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder played on both sides of the ball last season, tallying six tackles and one pass breakup on defense.
Sanders is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound junior defensive back. Sanders led Manatee with 10 pass breakups, adding 37 tackles and four tackles for loss last season before transferring to Cardinal Mooney in the offseason.
Sanders is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound junior strong/free safety. In 2025, Sanders tallied 37 total tackles, 22 solo tackles, four tackles for loss, two pass deflections and one forced fumble.
Editor's Note: We reserve the right to disqualify a candidate or declare a vote "no contest" if tampering such as bots or offering to pay for voting is evident. Please respect the integrity of the vote the way these athletes respect the integrity of the game.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: The top 12 Sarasota, Manatee area DBs entering 2026. Vote for No. 1
Continue reading...
Here's the Herald-Tribune's selection of the 12 best defensive backs in the area.
And now is your chance to have a say. Vote in our poll today for the player you think is the best quarterback in the area. Scroll to the bottom or click here to make your pick. The poll closes at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.
The nominees for best defensive backs in Sarasota and Manatee counties are:
Aric Cleveland, Lakewood Ranch
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Cleveland is a 6-foot, 170-pound junior who plays outside linebacker/strong safety. Cleveland had 41 total tackles, 25 solo tackles, two tackles for loss and one pass deflection in 2025.
Athian Early, Manatee
Early is a 5-foot-9, 160-pound cornerback. He tallied 29 total tackles, 20 solo tackles, seven pass deflections and one forced fumble in 2025.
Chase Fritz, Sarasota
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In 2025, Fritz — a 6-foot-5, 190-pound strong safety — had 84 total tackles and 60 solo tackles. He's entering his senior season.
Casey Izquierdo, Riverview
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Izquierdo is a 6-foot-2, 170 pound junior with offers to FIU and Toledo. He had 15 total tackles, 10 solo tackles and one tackle for loss in 2025.
Connell Jackson, Cardinal Mooney
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Jackson is a 5-foot-10, 168-pound senior who had 39 total tackles, 22 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss, two pass deflections and two forced fumbles in 2025.
Kingston Kokoefer, Out-of-Door Academy
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Kokoefer is a 6-foot junior who can play on both sides at the ball at wide receiver and defensive back, starting for the last two seasons. In 2025, he had 70 total tackles, 21 solo tackles, 14 tackles for loss, one sack and two quarterback hurries. He added two pass deflections, two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
Jayden Lewis, Manatee
Lewis is a 5-foot-10, 155 pound free safety entering his junior season. He had four total tackles and three solo tackles last season in three games.
Amarian McRae, Cardinal Mooney
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During Cardinal Mooney's title run, McRae tallied 35 tackles, 19 pass breakups, one fumble recovered for a touchdown and two interceptions. The sophomore cornerback, who is 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, has already received 11 offers, including from Georgia, Notre Dame and Florida.
Pinot Parks, Riverview
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Parks is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound cornerback entering his junior season. He has two offers from FIU and Toledo. Last season, he had 15 total tackles and 10 solo tackles.
Nazir Pitchford, Palmetto
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Pitchford is a three-star senior cornerback who committed to UNC over offers from Pitt, Louisville, Memphis, UConn, Boston College and Kansas State. The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder played on both sides of the ball last season, tallying six tackles and one pass breakup on defense.
Jared Sanders, Cardinal Mooney
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Sanders is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound junior defensive back. Sanders led Manatee with 10 pass breakups, adding 37 tackles and four tackles for loss last season before transferring to Cardinal Mooney in the offseason.
Jordan Sanders, Cardinal Mooney
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Sanders is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound junior strong/free safety. In 2025, Sanders tallied 37 total tackles, 22 solo tackles, four tackles for loss, two pass deflections and one forced fumble.
Editor's Note: We reserve the right to disqualify a candidate or declare a vote "no contest" if tampering such as bots or offering to pay for voting is evident. Please respect the integrity of the vote the way these athletes respect the integrity of the game.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: The top 12 Sarasota, Manatee area DBs entering 2026. Vote for No. 1
Continue reading...
