Skilled secondary players are often looked upon as the shiny toys that get all the glitz and glamor when big interceptions or pass breakups impact a big game.
Because the camera isn’t often on them, folks don’t see those in the trenches putting in arduous work to set up the secondary players to make big plays. Some may say they aren’t the most important pieces to a defense, but they are certainly pertinent players for a viable defense.
From a regional perspective, several of the county’s top defenses comprised corners with Power-4 college commitments who could shut down their man and jump routes, forcing game-changing turnovers to secure deep postseason runs.
And below are those Polk County secondary players who exhibit those kinds of traits.
Lakeland
Jordan Young (senior)
A three-year varsity player and two-year starter, this defensive back is committed to Pittsburgh. And deservedly so, as he covers the No. 1 receiver and can hit. In 2026, this top competitor will play corner and safety.
Deonte Fielder (senior)
Fielder is a two-year starter with FBS offers as a safety. For Lakeland, he’s the biggest hitter on the team and he is a playmaker in the back end at 5’11, 280 pounds. In 2025 he led the team in Interceptions.
Travoris Black (senior)
A two-year starter with FBS offers, this safety-corner at 5’11, 175 is an outstanding athlete and hands down the most versatile player on the defense — and perhaps the most valuable as well. He’s a solid tackler that plays physical and can run with anyone. This playmaker is the strongest on the team pound for pound.
Dominick Harris Payne (junior)
This corner is a two-year starter and top corner in the country with several Power-4 offers. At 6’2, 175, he’s a long athletic corner that can jump with anyone and has good hips and feet for his size. He’s a solid tackler as well.
Ahmaad Watts (senior)
Watts, a nickel-safety, is a three-year varsity player and two-year starter with FCS offers, too. At 5’10, 175, he has great speed and is amazing at run support at safety. Watts was one of the leading tacklers on the team in 2025.
Lake Wales
Raeshaun Pugh (senior)
Even at 5’11, 185, Pugh at safety dishes out physical tackles for run support thanks to coming downhill as fast as he can to disrupt plays. Thanks to his 4.4, 40-yard dash time, his close-out speed is huge for interceptions and pick-sixes.
Auburndale
Kris Williams (senior)
At six feet, 160, Williams is ball-hawking guru defensive back who racked up the most interceptions — including two pick-sixes — for the Bloodhounds in 2025.
Adonis Culyer (senior)
Culyer has the skills for the next level as he is committed to a Division I school.
Discovery
Dallas Williams (sophomore)
This young man can cover hash to hash hands down. A physical downhill safety with really good ball skills when the ball is in the air, he’s also a young leader that’s helping change the culture for this Discovery program.
Rover Yartnuel Mangual (junior)
Mangual is also really good at ball skills And with some sticky hands, he tends to intercept almost all the footballs thrown his way. Like Williams, he’s got a shot at playing at the next level.
Lakeland Christian
Messiah Borders (senior)
A transfer from Bartow, at six feet, 175, Borders can fly and can be an explosive player thanks to playing multiple sports.
JD Wiggins (sophomore)
A transfer from Newsome, this 5’9, 165-pound playmaker is exceptional at close in speed thanks to that track speed. And he’s all about business in the weight room.
Jayden Freeman (sophomore)
This playmaker at 5’9, 165 is seminal at one-on-one coverage while also being able to come downhill at top speed to make open-field tackles.
Trey Wall (senior)
At 5’10, 175, Wall is a two-way varsity football player. At the defensive back position, he has range to be able to play well in the defensive backfield.
George Jenkins
Luke Martindale (senior)
Martindale’s football IQ and athletic ability will bring a solid foundation to the defensive backs unit. At 5’9, 135, him starting both sides of the ball will be huge. This senior looks to have a big season for the flying Eagles.
Jacob Soto (junior)
Soto will anchor the secondary at the cornerback position and will be key for the group. With a long and rangy 6’1 frame, he will be a big reason why the group looks to shut down opposing offenses.
Frostproof
Antwan Cobb (senior)
As a second year starting safety at 5’7, 140, Cobb makes plays from sideline to sideline.
Shad Robey (senior)
Robey is a 5’7, 170-pound safety who had a tremendous sophomore year. Two years later in his senior year, he is looking like he is going to be so much better.
Aidan Hamilton (senior)
A 5’9, 180-pound safety, Hamilton roams around in the middle of the field just waiting to absolutely lay someone out.
Ridge Community
Eli Greenidge (junior)
Greenidge as 5’10, 150-pound free safety is a really good defensive prospect who can intercept the ball on any given down.
Victor Joseph (sophomore)
Joseph at 5’9, 155 is a Division I prospect.
Andre Joaceus (sophomore)
Joaceus is a long and rangy 6’4 cornerback who can be a ballhawk at will. He is a Division I prospect.
Santana Henderson
At six feet, 170, Henderson as a strong safety will use his track skills as a two-way player, eventually looking to compete at a high level on the next level.
Tenoroc
Josiah Ware (junior)
Ware as a defensive back has great ball instincts, is a great tackler on run support and physical with his hands on receivers.
Lurreill Euline (senior)
Euline is a do-it-all kind of a player who plays both sides of the ball. He’s a smart football player who can play multiple skill positions. Euline is a great communicator in the secondary, plays the ball well on defense and fits the box well on run support.
Lake Region
Trent Copeland (sophomore)
Copeland at six feet, 155 as a nickel and safety is an aggressive player who can play in small spaces with slot receivers.
Lamar Christie (junior)
Christie, a 6’1, 165 cornerback, is a long player who uses his arm length to throw off receivers’ route running.
Braylon Campbell (senior)
This senior cornerback standing at 6’1, 175 is a long player with the ability to run with receivers and match up well with big pass catchers.
Kathleen
Amari Huggins (junior)
Huggins is a 6’2, 160-pound defensive back who has the raw talent that gives him a chance to be the team’s best cornerback this year because he has elite size, speed, length, and athletic traits required to play for a Power-4 school.
Jayshaun Frederick (junior)
Standing at a tall 6’2, 190 pounds, Frederick has great size and feet paired with some good cover skills. He plays in the box, too, while also being very physical. His leaping ability is off the charts as well.
Marquel Odum (sophomore)
At 5’9, 155, Odum is a playmaking two-way player who turns the ball over at a high clip. He has a lot of upside..
All Saints
Cal O’Connor (sophomore)
O’Connor had a great freshman season and at 5’9, 182, he is fearless in pass defense with his interception capability while also coming up and making plays in the run game. The defensive back also had a great summer during the 7-on-7 tournament, getting even more reps to get him ready for an already transpiring 2026 Polk County football season.
Robbie Norris (junior)
Norris is a first-year starter. And with his 5’10, 150-pound frame, Norris was all over the field in 2025, making his presence known even if it didn’t all show on the stat sheet.
Lake Gibson
Jeremiah Epps (senior)
At six feet, 175, Epps as the strong safety is responsible for covering the space between the interior linemen in the box as well as the outside edge defenders.
Eli DeShazor (sophomore)
And DeShazor at 5’7, 160 as a strong safety is a physical player for the Braves.
Bartow
Shamarie Callins (senior)
Long, a 5’11, 170-pound man-to-man corner, can be on an island by himself. He has good feet at the line and progressing ball skills. He’s being recruited by smaller Division I and some Division II schools right now.
Ladarrian Adams (senior)
Adams at 5’11, 175 pounds is very rangy and strong. He can play zone or man and is great in the run, while also being a hard hitter with great ball skills. He can also play in the slot or outside.
Alijah Galva (junior)
A 5’9, 165-pound defensive back, Galva has a skill set similar to the Honey Badger (former Chiefs’ Super Bowl champion Tyrann Mathieu). He can play in the box and is as good as a tackler as they come. Galva can also play in the slot and be a man or zone player. And he can be moved to safety and be an over-the-top player with great ball skills.
Winter Haven
Chris Pringle (senior)
Pringle at 5’10, 175 pounds uses his athleticism as an advantage for the Blue Devils, often making plays in the defensive backfield.
Khamari Campbell (senior)
Campbell, a 6’1, 170-pound playmaker, can lock down the back end of the defense. He can read the signal caller, which leads to making solid plays on the ball, including interceptions.
Jimmy Nealy (junior)
Nealy has a small frame of 5’7, 145 pounds, but he can help that Winter Haven defense in 2026.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: 41 Polk County high school football defensive backs to watch in 2026
Reporting by Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
