High school football season is just around the corner.
Coaches will tell you that all positions are important, which is true. The best teams play complementary football, and that’s exactly what Lakeland did in 2023 when it captured its second straight state title and its 10th state title overall.
Defense has been very important, including the defensive backs. The staffs of all teams in Polk County have done their due diligence to develop their defensive backs for the 2024 season.
Below is a list of the best defensive backs in Polk County ahead of this week’s Kickoff Classic.
Defensive players to watch: Here are 25 of Polk County’s best defensive players for the 2024 high school football season
Offensive Linemen to Watch: Here are 26 of Polk County’s best linebackers ahead of the 2024 high school football season
Arquan Glanton, Auburndale, senior
Glanton is the total package when it comes to a defensive back’s skill set and is expected to make a big impact as Auburndale looks to have a winning season.
Bryce Miller, George Jenkins, Sr
Miller, 5’10” and 190 pounds, is a tough runner. He has a good football IQ, knows where his weaknesses are and covers the passing game well. He had a great spring and summer, which is why he is positioned as a strong safety.
Trevon Evans, George Jenkins, Sr
Standing at 6’1″ and weighing 195 pounds, Evans will play an important role on defense for the Eagles. He is talented and a hard-working football player.
Adonis Cuyler, Lake Gibson, sophomore
At 5’10” and 175 pounds, Cuyler is a two-way starter and a top-notch returner. He also excels in man or zone coverage and has excellent ball skills.
Cason Dash, Lake Gibson, junior
Despite his height of 6’2″ and weight of 200 lbs, he has outstanding speed (4.4 lasers) that helps him in man and zone coverage. He is also a strong hitter at cornerback.
Derrick McBride, Lake Gibson, junior
McBride is 6’3″ and 195 lbs. He is a starter on both sides with outstanding length and leaping ability (40″ tall). He will also be a safety.
Martavius McCall, Lake Gibson, senior
At 5’10”, 195 pounds, McCall is a returning starter and the quarterback of the defense. He is an aggressive run-fitter with above-average coverage skills. He will be Lake Gibson’s safety.
Amari Davis, Lake Region, senior
Davis is 5’10” and 140 pounds. He is emotional but competitive. He is fast and can keep up with some of the fastest receivers in the state. Last year he started at cornerback and did very well. He is capable of covering the other team’s best wide receiver.
Christopher German, Lake Region, senior
At 5’10” and 175 pounds, German is extremely athletic. He is super fluid on the field and is one of the best athletes in the district. As a cornerback, he can cause turnovers by intercepting the ball because he has good hands. He can also attack the ball at the top.
Jordan Thornton, Lake Region, senior
At 5’8″ and 175 pounds, Thornton is really strong for his size. He benched over 200 pounds a few weeks ago. But he’s also explosive. He fills the lane well when it comes to run support from the safety position, and he can play cornerback when needed.
Sam Etienne, Lakeland, Senior
Etienne, who is 1.85 m tall and weighs 84 kg, is a tackling machine and can make plays with the ball thanks to his tremendous ball skills.
Jermichael Gillis, Lakeland, senior
Gillis, 6’1″ and 1,750 pounds, is a smart player who runs the secondary at safety while also playing cornerback. He can do it all defensively, including tremendous ball-handling and tackling skills.
Keon Young, Lakeland, Senior
Young, who stands 6’2″ and weighs 190lbs, is a do-it-all player. He is relentless in his tackling and has exceptional ball skills.
Trey Berry, Lakeland Christian, senior
At 6’1″ and 205 pounds, Berry has confidence in the process and is expected to help Lakeland Christian’s up-and-coming team. His tackling is exceptional.
Klein Gilles, Ridge Community, Sr
Gilles is 5’9″ and weighs 180 pounds. He is a versatile player who has a knack for long passes as a defensive back. He wants to play defensive back in college and his development is clearly heading in that direction.
Jozia Scott, Victory Christian, Sr
His 1.88m and 77kg weight allow him to be very agile, which makes Scott very fluid in reverse, with great ball skills and a feel for the ball. Scott sees the ball and the play when coming out of the break. And because he is very smooth in transition, he can execute at great speed. Great player.
My-Shawn McKinley, Victory Christian, Sr
At 1.85 m and 75 kg, he plays safety and cornerback. On defense, he is a solid tackler on the run and can take on man coverage on defense.
Joshod Hampton, Bartow, Sr
At 6’1″, 195 pounds, Hampton has gotten stronger in the weight room. He’s a pure cover corner, but he’s also strong enough to help out in run defense.
Tavares Murray, Bartow, Sr
Murray is 5’10” and 190 pounds. He can hit, but his technique is also fundamentally sound. He can support the run defense while also being able to drop into man coverage on the slot receiver or rebound and be a free safety.
