Elite Ohio Defensive Back Prospects to Watch The Rivals Ohio staff has highlighted the top defensive back prospects for 2025, based on 2024 All-Ohio selections, postseason accolades, and standout performances in the secondary. These athletes represent the next wave of elite cover corners and ball-hawking safeties from Ohio’s strong high school football tradition. Spanning the […]
Elite Ohio Defensive Back Prospects to Watch
The Rivals Ohio staff has highlighted the top defensive back prospects for 2025, based on 2024 All-Ohio selections, postseason accolades, and standout performances in the secondary. These athletes represent the next wave of elite cover corners and ball-hawking safeties from Ohio’s strong high school football tradition.
Spanning the Classes of 2026–2028, this Rivals watchlist features defensive backs from across the Buckeye State who excelled in coverage, created turnovers, and locked down some of the state’s best wide receivers during the 2024 season. Their speed, instincts, and playmaking ability have already caught the attention of college recruiters looking for impact players in the secondary.
Think you deserve a spot on this list? The best way to get on our radar is to create or claim your Rivals recruiting profile. Upload highlights, keep your measurables updated, and make sure college coaches using the Rivals network can find you.
2026 Ohio Defensive Backs
| Aaron Scales | Cleveland Glenville | 2026 |
| Alex Frenk | Wellington | 2026 |
| Andrew Cooke | Franklin | 2026 |
| Ayden Cavinee | Arlington | 2026 |
| Bodie Martin | Amanda-Clearcreek | 2026 |
| Brandyn Bogucki | Garrettsville Garfield | 2026 |
| Braxton Brownrigg | Zanesville West Muskingum | 2026 |
| Brayden Reilly | Cincinnati St. Xavier | 2026 |
| Brayden Thomas | Lakewood St. Edward | 2026 |
| Braylon Lowery | Byesville Meadowbrook | 2026 |
| Brock Bower | Jeromesville Hillsdale | 2026 |
| Brody Hatfield | Sunbury Big Walnut | 2026 |
| Brody Winters | Toronto | 2026 |
| Buddy Willig | Norton | 2026 |
| Cam Carl | Navarre Fairless | 2026 |
| Casey Miller | McDonald | 2026 |
| Chaz Culberton | Cadiz Harrison Central | 2026 |
| Daurean Johnson | Akron Buchtel | 2026 |
| Dre Jackson | Canal Winchester | 2026 |
| Elbert Hill IV | Akron Hoban | 2026 |
| Eli Stewart | Wilmington | 2026 |
| Emoni Smith | Galloway Westland | 2026 |
| Gabe Davis-Ray | Columbus Academy | 2026 |
| Gavin Madigan | Wadsworth | 2026 |
| Hayden Bankes | McConnelsville Morgan | 2026 |
| Henry Perrymond Jr. | Cleveland Heights | 2026 |
| Isaac Patterson | Westerville South | 2026 |
| Ja’Kobe Clapper | Cincinnati St. Xavier | 2026 |
| Jake Braun | Upper Arlington | 2026 |
| Jakob Weatherspoon | Avon | 2026 |
| Jamarcus Jones | Harvest Prep | 2026 |
| Jason Wells | Millersport | 2026 |
| Jayshon Thomas | Cleveland St. Ignatius | 2026 |
| Kaden Gebhardt | Lewis Center Olentangy | 2026 |
| Kam Wright | Bowerston Conotton Valley | 2026 |
| Kindall Brown | Maple Heights | 2026 |
| Lee’Sean Saunders | Columbus Walnut Ridge | 2026 |
| Luke Czarnecki | Williamsburg | 2026 |
| Malachi Taylor | Pickerington North | 2026 |
| Matthew Sprochi | Steubenville Catholic Central | 2026 |
| Mike Hazimihalis | Hubbard | 2026 |
| Owen Nugent | Grandview Heights | 2026 |
| Robbie Reid | Tallmadge | 2026 |
| Ryder Ingold | Creston Norwayne | 2026 |
| Sean Croston | Andover Pymatuning Valley | 2026 |
| Stevie Gravely | London | 2026 |
| Talon Carns | West Lafayette Ridgewood | 2026 |
| Tanner Smith | Newcomerstown | 2026 |
| TeJuan Barbour | Columbus Northland | 2026 |
| Terrell Wharton Jr. | Akron East | 2026 |
| Treyton Schroeder | Lewis Center Olentangy Orange | 2026 |
| Victor Brown | Mogadore Field | 2026 |
| Victor Singleton | Toledo Central Catholic | 2026 |
| Will Allen | Fairview Park Fairview | 2026 |
| Will Ruetz | Metamora Evergreen | 2026 |
| Xayvion Dunn | Mentor | 2026 |
| Zack Brown | Hillsboro | 2026 |
2027 Ohio Defensive Backs
| Ace Alston | Cincinnati Anderson | 2027 |
| Brode Brown | Bridgeport | 2027 |
| Brodey Reisinger | Lewiston Indian Lake | 2027 |
| Darius Dennis | Trotwood-Madison | 2027 |
| Drew Cripps | Kettering Alter | 2027 |
| Finn Pennock | Waterford | 2027 |
| Hezikiah Kelley | Cincinnati Northwest | 2027 |
| Jeremiah DesJardins | Cincinnati Miami Valley Christian Academy | 2027 |
| Kei’Shjuan Telfair | Euclid | 2027 |
| Logan Menge | Columbia Station Columbia | 2027 |
| Lucas Miller | Arcanum | 2027 |
| Oliver Miller | Burton Berkshire | 2027 |
| Reese Walby | Gibsonburg | 2027 |
| Tripp Phoenix | Carey | 2027 |
Category: General Sports
