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On all levels of football, the passing game has evolved to a level where it virtually cannot be shut down and only hope to be contained. Life is not so pleasant for defensive backs as more cornerbacks and safeties are often getting beat for touchdowns and hoping to keep the score down. The ones who can minimize the aerial arsenal are considered must-haves for championship-caliber football teams nowadays. It is the new game of football that we come to know and love.
In Florida, defensive backs are birthed at a high rate and continue to ascend on the next level. Patrick Peterson (Blanche Ely, Pompano Beach), Janoris Jenkins (Pahokee), Xavier Rhodes (Miami Norland), and Derwin James (Haines City) are just some of the current pro bowl DBs who played their prep football in the sunshine state.
Let’s take a look at some of the best units in Florida for the upcoming high school football season as defensive backs are considered some of the most vital athletes in football.
Terrific Tandems
Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs (Fort Lauderdale) 4A
Majon Wright, 2020 WR/CB (three-star 6’2” 190 pounds)
Michael Antoine, 2020 CB (three-star, 5’11” 165 pounds)
Chaminade-Madonna Lions (Hollywood) 3A
Quadric Bullard, 2020 CB (UCF Commit, three-star, 6’0” 161 pounds)
Benjamin Onwuzo, 2020 CB (Minnesota Commit, three-star 5’11” 185 pounds)
Deerfield Beach Bucks 8A
Phillip O’Brien, 2021 CB (three-star, 6’3” 168 pounds)
Christopher Townsel 2020 CB (three-star, 6’1” 165 pounds)
Evans Trojans (Orlando) 8A
Tamon Lynum, 2020 CB (Nebraska Commit, three-star, 6’2 177 pounds)
Raequon Ousley, 2020 CB (5’10” 151 pounds)
Jones Tigers (Orlando) 5A
Johnathan Johnson, 2020 CB (three-star, 6’2” 187 pounds)
Dominick Hill 2020 CB (South Carolina Commit, three-star, 6’1” 170 pounds)
Lee Generals (Jacksonville) 6A
Robert Simmons, 2021 CB (three-star, 5’10” 160 pounds)
Larry Smith, 2021 CB (four-star, 5’11” 170 pounds)
Lincoln Trojans (Tallahassee) 7A
Markus Knight 2020 CB (three-star, 5’10” 168 pounds)
Jalen Glaze (Minnesota Commit, three-star, 6’0” 180 pounds)
McArthur Mustangs (Hollywood) 7A
Kevin Knowles, 2021 CB (5’10” 156 pounds)
Jerrold Pough, 2020 CB (Rutgers Commit, three-star, 6’0” 170 pounds)
Miami Booker T. Washington Tornadoes 4A
Eddie Jackson, 2020 S (three-star, 6’1” 190 pounds)
Corey Thornton, 2020 CB (three-star, 6’1” 170 pounds)
Miami Carol City Chiefs 4A
Travis McNichols, 2021 CB (5’8″ 170 pounds)
Darius Stokes, 2020 S (5’10” 175 pounds)
Miami Northwestern Bulls 5A
Tim Burns, 2021 CB (three-star, 5’10” 157 pounds)
Ronald Delancy 2020 S (Louisville Commit, three-star, 5’11” 160 pounds)
St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (Fort Lauderdale) 7A
Tyson Russell, 2021 CB (three-star, 5’10” 160 pounds)
Javonte Royal, 2020 S (Pittsburgh Commit, four-star, 6’3” 180 pounds)
South Dade Buccaneers (Homestead) 8A
Jaiden Francois, 2020 CB (Miami Commit, four-star, 6’1” 182 pounds)
Jalin Wilson, 2020 CB (three-star, 6’0” 185 pounds)
Honorable Mention
American Heritage Patriots (Plantation) 5A
If junior safety James Williams decided to stay with the Patriots, they would have had a case for the best defensive backfield in the state. Although the departure is big loss, the Pats will be back with a strong secondary once again.
Davontae Brown, CB, American Heritage (Plantation)
Andrew Volmar (2020 CB, FIU commit three-star, 6’2” 170 pounds) and Davontae Brown (2020 CB, three-star 6’2” 160 pounds) find ways to get their hands on the football when matched up in one-on-one coverage and both will continue to grow as a defender.
Brown is probably the better tackler of the two and Daryl Porter (2020 CB, three-star, 5’10” 165 pounds) is the tough physical corner that seems enjoy and excel in press coverage.
IMG Academy Ascenders (Bradenton) (No Classification)
The prep school in the Tampa Bay area does not compete for state championships but they do compete for national championships. The Ascenders have two of the best athletes in the nation in their defensive backfield with Elias Ricks (2020 CB, LSU Commit, five-star, 6’2” 192 pounds) and Lejond Cavazos (2020 S, Ohio State Commit, four-star, 6’1” 196 pounds).
Lejond Cavazos, S, IMG Academy
Ricks is considered the best cornerback in the nation and Cavazos could be the fastest and most versatile DB in the country.
Ricks transferred from the back-to-back national champion Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) this season to join IMG to graduate early. The duo will be tested against South Florida speed with games against Miami Northwestern and Miami Booker T. Washington this season. IMG will continue to be challenged against national powers St. Joseph’s Prep (PA), St. Johns (DC) and St. Frances Academy (MD) in 2019.
Top Seven DB Units (Competing For State Title)
Western Wildcats (Davie) 8A
The former Miami commit James Williams, (2021 S, five-star, 6’5” 218 pounds) is one of the best athletes in the country let alone just Florida. He has amazing range and most quarterbacks are smart to not throw in his direction. Good idea.
James Williams, S, Western
Williams is now paired with future Hurricane Justin Hodges, 2020 CB (Miami Commit, three-star, 6’2” 175 pounds) who is also one of the more versatile athletes in the state. Hodges played both sides of the ball as a receiver last year for the Wildcats and can out catch defenders for the ball at its highest point. The combination of the two will evoke fear to opposing offensive attacks.
Lakeland Dreadnaughts 7A
Much like last season, the 7A state champions will be difficult to pass against. The transfer from Kathleen (Lakeland) Kendall Dennis (2020 CB, three-star, 5’11” 172 pounds), adds to an already strong secondary. Dennis has great acceleration and displays an innate ability to high-point the football over his opposition.
Two-way player Fenley Graham (2020 WR/CB, Florida Commit, three-star 5’11 165 pounds) is ‘Mr. Electric’ and surely should be at least a four-star once he gains some more pounds.
Fenley Graham, CB/WR, Lakeland
Graham knows how to get to the football and find paydirt in a hurry. Qadir Hall (2020 S, 5’10” 190 pounds) adds some depth to a secondary that can quite possibly win back-to-back championships.
Armwood Hawks 7A
The future Hoosier Aamaris Brown, 2020 CB (Indiana Commit, three-star, 6’0” 175 pounds) is the real deal. Brown racked up interception after interception last fall and I’m excited to see what he will do for an encore. Brown is also a punishing tackler and will certainly be a difference-maker for the Hawks again this season.
Jalil Core, (2020 S, three-star, 5’11” 195 pounds) is thumper in his own right. Core is a heat-seeking missile once he zeros in on his target and has underrated ball skills. Add in Tavaris Thomas, (2020 CB, 5’11” 180 pounds) and you have one of the best units in the state.
Tavaris Thomas, CB, Armwood
Thomas was one of the top performers at the Football Hotbed Exposure Showcase and has an opportunity to make a name for himself this fall. Chances are from what we saw from him this summer, he most certainly will.
Miami Central Rockets 6A
You cannot mention the best defensive backs in South Florida without mentioning Henry Gray, (2020 CB, four-star, 6’0” 172 pounds). The former Miami commit is a tenacious defender that has the size and strength to get it done by any means necessary.
Henry Gray, CB, Miami Central
Locking down the other side of the field will be former Chaminade-Madonna cornerback Deidrick Stanley (2020 CB, four-star, 5’9” 175 pounds). Stanley is a more compact corner that closes in quickly on tacklers and has the speed to take interceptions the distance.
Deidrick Stanley, CB, Miami Central
Columbus Explorers (Miami) 8A
Two-way player Xzavier Henderson, (2020 WR/CB, four-star, 6’4” 185 pounds) is probably just as talented as a defensive back as he is a receiver. Henderson is one of the most athletic players in the state and played much of last season on defense as well as offense at a high level.
Xzavier Henderson, WR/CB, Columbus
Branden Coleman, (2020 CB, three-star 6’1” 150 pounds) has a nose for the ball and gets his head around quickly to locate the football. The incoming senior was able to cash in on a number of interceptions last season with his ability to catch the football in traffic.
Add the versatile Courtney Holmes, (2020 LB/S, three-star, 5’10” 188 pounds) who brings the wood every time he closes in a tackle and the Explorers once again will be strong in the defensive backfield all season.
Courtney Holmes, S, Columbus
Miami Palmetto Panthers 8A
The Panthers have a built a program over the years that is pretty strong across the board. Their best unit might be their defensive backfield. Let’s start with two-way player Jason Marshall (2021 WR/CB, four-star, 6’1” 173 pounds).
Marshall is a great athlete that can play anywhere on the field but he is probably best shutting down the opponent’s best receiver. He does well keeping the ball in front of him and has excellent recovery speed.
Corey Collier (2021 CB, five-star, 6’2” 170 pounds) can make a case for the best defensive back in all of Florida. He tackles like a linebacker and surveys the field like a safety making him the ultimate cornerback.
Corey Collier, CB, Miami Palmetto
The veteran of this unit is Robert Hanna (2020 S, Syracuse commit, three-star 6’0” 160 pounds). Hanna is great in run support and is reliable on the backline. The trio is scary as a unit and will frustrate offenses this season.
Trinity Christian Conquerors (Jacksonville) 3A
The Conquerers have an embarrassment of riches in their secondary. The big three Fred Davis (2020 CB, Clemson commit, five-star, 6’2” 180 pounds), Jahquez Robinson (2020 CB, Alabama commit, four-star, 6’2” 180 pounds), and Miles Brooks (2020 CB, Georgia Tech commit, four-star, 6’2” 183 pounds) all have ideal size, strength and all are great finds for their committed power-five schools. It’s pick your poison as an offense.
If you throw Davis’s way he likely has already diagnosed the play before the snap will take advantage of your mistakes. The Tiger commit has great anticipation and is arguably the strongest tackler on the team.
After a strong junior season Sandalwood (Jacksonville) transfer Robinson adds depth to the Trinity secondary. After a strong performance at the Opening in Orlando, expect an even bigger senior season.
Miles Brooks, CB, Trinity Christian
The future Yellow Jacket Brooks is always in position to make a play and will find himself with plenty of opportunities to do so this season with his given teammates. The senior now wears the lucky number seven for the Conquerers and made it unlucky for his opposition in his high school career thus far. Expect nothing to change this Fall.
Corey Coley (2021, CB, three-star, 6’0” 165 pounds) has the ability to play safety in the box and as a free safety. As a player that could be a number-one corner for many schools around the state, Coley will have the ability to roam around the field to cause havoc. The incoming junior caused and recovered a number of fumbles and was in on a high number of tackles last season.
The quartet should be the most feared defensive backfield in Florida in 2019.
