Which cornerbacks are the ball hawks in the secondary to watch for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida entering the 2026 season?
As the clock ticks down toward the start of the season, here's a closer look at some of the area's best in Florida high school football. On Friday, Aug. 21, Jacksonville-area schools begin the march toward the Florida High School Athletic Association championships on deck for this December in Miami, the first season since the end of the Rural Class and the FHSAA's realignment to six classes. Last year, Raines brought home Jacksonville's first state title since 2021.
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Here's the Times-Union's ranking counting down the area's best CBs.
Andrew McCoy Jr., Bishop Kenny
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-1, 165
Athletic
two-way corner impressed early in 2025 (nine catches, 180 yards, three touchdowns on offense) before season-ending injury in Week 3. Back to full speed in spring. As a sophomore, recorded 21 tackles and an interception at cornerback. Listed offers include Edward Waters and UNC Pembroke. Regional high jump qualifier has personal best of 5 feet, 9 3/4 inches.
Dashaydon Phillips, Bolles
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 5-11, 170
Helped Bulldogs to Class 2A title game a season ago. Recorded 25 tackles, an interception and five pass breakups in 2025. Also a district track and field competitor in the 100-meter dash. Listed offers include Hampden-Sydney and Warner.
Ronald Williams III, Riverside
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 5-9, 180
Brings sprint speed to the secondary. Recorded 38 tackles last year and has 14 pass breakups in last two seasons. Now above 800 career return yards as well, and gained 102 yards in part-time receiver role. State track qualifier has been timed at 10.6 in the 100 at regionals. Early listed offers include Central State.
Chase Donaldson, Fleming Island
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 5-9, 160
A pick-six machine last year. Donaldson returned three interceptions for touchdowns for the Golden Eagles as a junior. In addition, he had 42 tackles, 12 pass defenses and a couple of kick blocks. Could also see time at slot receiver. Also competes in baseball and runs 10.8 on the track in the 100.
Trent Porter, Creekside
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-3, 200
Tall, strong defensive back who could make an impact this year for Creekside. Recruitment has accelerated during the spring, after recovering from an injury that cut his 2025 season short. Early listed offers include Army, North Carolina A&T and Wofford.
Ma'kari Spencer, St. Augustine
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 5-11, 165
Regional track and field qualifier runs a 10.6 100 and can stay with just about any receiver. Made 64 tackles, a fumble recovery and eight pass defenses as a junior. Dangerous on kick block unit, swatting down two. Listed offers include West Georgia.
Za'khari Greene, Trinity Christian
Class: Junior
Height/weight: 6-1, 160
A three-star recruit for ESPN, 247 and Rivals. An all-around athlete, he's most often projected at corner at the next level. Greene grabbed four interceptions with seven pass breakups and 20 tackles as a sophomore for Class 1A semifinalist Trinity. More than a dozen listed offers, including Auburn, Florida State, Kentucky and Penn State.
Jayden Haynes, Nease
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 6-1, 165
Credited with two interceptions, 17 pass defenses and 26 tackles in 2025. Most often plays cornerback but could also shift to free safety at the next level. Haynes committed to Army in June over more than 20 listed offers, including Liberty, Wake Forest, West Virginia and Western Kentucky. Father Michael Haynes earned All-Big Ten honors at Penn State on defensive line and was a Chicago Bears first-rounder.
Tacori Allen, Raines
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 5-10, 175
Announced transfer to Raines from Columbia in June, after beginning high school at Fleming Island. Committed to Florida International in March ahead of more than 15 offers. Recorded two interceptions, three pass breakups and 35 tackles last year. Particularly excels in the return game, scoring four return touchdowns last year and gaining 617 yards running back kicks and punts in 2025.
Jacquari Parks, White
![Ed White cornerback Jacquari Parks (1) eyes a descending football in warm-ups for a high school spring football game against Bolles on May 22, 2026 in Jacksonville, lorida. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2026/05/23/NFTU/90231357007-052226-white-bolles-2.JPG)
Class: Senior
Height/weight: 5-11, 160
Committed to Wake Forest on June 13, selecting the Demon Deacons ahead of more than two dozen offers including Boston College and South Florida. Rated as a four-star recruit for Rivals and a top-50 corner nationwide. Finished 2025 with four interceptions, six pass breakups and 29 tackles as Commanders qualified for regional playoffs. With exceptional length, Parks plays taller than his listed height. Displayed excellent athleticism in spring game against Bolles.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Ranking Jacksonville area's best CBs in Florida high school football
