Fall practices are here for local West Texas and San Angelo-area high school football teams.
With another season of high school football on the horizon, plenty of returning players and new faces aim to make their mark under the Friday Night Lights in 2026.
Before the season begins, the Standard-Times will highlight the top local players to watch in seven position groups — quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, defensive backs and linebackers.
Today, we continue the series with the top defensive backs to watch in the West Texas, San Angelo area this season.
Casen Roberts, sr., Junction
The 6-foot, 160-pound Roberts was a District 10-2A DII first team and All-West Texas first team selection after posting 79 tackles and six interceptions. Roberts will be a key piece on offense and defense for the Eagles who are looking for a third-straight regional title game appearance.
Kaleb Rodriguez, jr., Coahoma
Rodriguez had a breakout campaign as a sophomore for the Bulldogs and finished the season with 71 tackles, 11 pass deflections, seven interceptions and one fumble recovery. He earned District 4-3A DII Defensive Newcomer of the Year and an All-West Texas first team selection.
Owen Campbell, sr., Goldthwaite
The 5-foot-11, 150-pound Campbell stuffed the stat sheet last season, racking up 117 tackles, eight pass deflections, four tackles for a loss and three interceptions. He was a District 10-2A DII and an All-West Texas first team selection.
Leonel Blanco, sr., Ozona
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Blanco was named District 4-2A DI first team and All-West Texas third team for the Lions last season. He finished the season with 63 tackles, eight pass deflections, four interceptions, three pressures, two tackles for a loss and one defensive touchdown.
Hunter Dale, sr., Junction
The combination of Casen Roberts and Dale has been a lethal combo for Junction’s defensive backfield. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound defensive back had 27 tackles, five interceptions and one defensive touchdown to earn a spot on the District 14-2A DII first team and All-West Texas third team.
Maddix Brownfield, jr., Forsan
The 5-foot-11, 155-pound Brownfield was named District 4-2A DI Defensive Newcomer of the Year and was an All-West Texas honorable mention. He had 50 tackles, seven pass deflections and one interception.
Hunter Squiers, sr., Menard
Squiers was one of the Concho Valley’s top ballhawks in the defensive back field last season after hauling in six interceptions and 11 pass deflections. The 5-10, 160-pound defensive back also had 49 tackles, two defensive touchdowns and one fumble recovery to earn a spot on the All-West Texas six-man team.
Toby Porter, sr., Big Spring
The 6-foot, 170-pound Porter was an integral piece to the Steers’ young defense last season. He finished the year with 54 tackles, two tackles for a loss, two interceptions and two defensive touchdowns, earning and All-West Texas honorable mention nod.
Jayden Welborn, sr., Sonora
Welborn was a key piece in the Broncos runner-up district finish last season and looks to play a bigger role this season. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound defensive back finished with 66 tackles three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one tackle for a loss to earn a spot on the All-West Texas honorable mentions list.
Wyatt Wolf, sr., Brownwood
The 5-11, 165-pounder was a tackling machine for the Lions last season, racking up 91.5 tackles three interceptions, two tackles for a loss and one defensive touchdown. Wolf and teammate Sirr Beam will be a force to reckon with in No. 24 Brownwood’s defensive backfield.
Honorable Mentions
Sirr Beam, sr., Brownwood; Blaine Belcher, sr., San Angelo Central; Troy Ceballos, sr., San Angelo Central; Angel Diaz, sr., Sonora; Josh Garcez, sr., Robert Lee; Ehren Garza, jr., Big Spring; Carson Hunter, jr., Grape Creek; Halen Kemper, sr., Forsan; Nolan Martinez, sr., Winters; Daniel Perez, sr., Big Spring; Andrew Reedy, sr., Early; Kaleb Ramon, jr., Ozona; Jaydon Reyna, sr., Colorado City; Jack Robbins, sr., Bronte; Jaxson Stockman, sr., Early; Josh Thomas, soph., Brady.
Paul Witwer covers high school sports and Angelo State University sports for The San Angelo Standard-Times. Reach him at sports@gosanangelo.com. Follow him on X @Paul_Witwer, Instagram and TikTok at pwitwer_sast.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Meet the top 10 West Texas high school defensive backs in 2026
Reporting by Paul Witwer, San Angelo Standard-Times / San Angelo Standard-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paul Witwer, San Angelo Standard-Times | USA TODAY Network
