We've broken down the Arizona high school football teams with the best offensive linemen and receivers for 2026. Now, we look at the secondaries. Which team has the best defensive backs room? Vote in our poll for your No. 1.
Top 15 Arizona HS football defensive back rooms
1. Goodyear Desert Edge
This is as deep and solid a secondary as you will find not only in Arizona but in the West. It is led by Oklahoma commit Mikyal Davis, and juniors Jaelyn Easterling-Flores, Nekhi Lambeth and Jordan Davis. Sophomore Elijah Johnson has an Arizona offer.
2. Peoria Centennial
The Coyotes return their secondary from last year's 6A runner-up team. It is led by safety Elijah Carothers, who has committed to Northern Arizona. His brother, Josiah, is a long cornerback who plays airtight coverage. Safety Devin Taylor
and corner Nathaniel Olmos are three-year varsity starters.
3. Chandler Hamilton
This is a very athletic group that can change the game with interceptions and forced fumbles. Leading are two of the top juniors in the state — Keaton Fields and Kacey Allen. Allen is great at man coverage and is physical in the box. Fields is a long, rangy cornerback who can play man or zone, has great ball skills and loves to tackle. Add in J.J. Diaz and Preston DeGraffenreid, and this is an airtight secondary.
4. Chandler
Solid group of athletes who can tackle and are tight in coverage. They seldom give up big plays. They're led by Zay Hicks, Marshaun Payne, Jerome McKoy, Austin Reese and Marshawn Coleman.
5. Phoenix Brophy Prep
This is a loaded group with multiple players receiving Division I offers. Top guys in the back end of the defense are Ryder Noche (Colgate commit), juniors Julian Ferrari, Erza Benjamin and Xavier Sandhu, along with junior Deuce Jerry and sophomore Bishop Allen.
6. Mesa
Coach Ryan Felker calls this an elite group of DBs, led by ball hawk Kameron Williams, a two-way athlete. This will be his third year starting safety with nine career interceptions. Hard-hitting Kamaha’o Skipps is another safety with the ability to force turnovers. Redemption Togba and Cody Merrill are returning cornerbacks with length and speed. Arizona State-committed receiver Kingston Anetema adds depth to the secondary as a lockdown CB, along with Jayvon Simmons.
7. Chandler Basha
They have three of the best defensive backs in the state in Tre Kennard (Nevada commit), Geremiah Grimes and Taylan Patterson. They're outstanding at press coverage and in zone.
8. ALA Queen Creek
Coach Rich Edwards will stack his top five defensive backs against any in the state. Bryce Devlin (6-foot-3, 203 pounds) is a tough, physical safety who is committed to Air Force. Safety Gage Garzini was on the Open state championship 4x100 relay team. Corner Jayden Brewer made all-region last year. Porter Adams and Xander McRae are solid in the secondary.
9. Mountain Pointe
The Pride has a combination of size, speed, experience, versatility, and young talent that gives it a strong secondary. Watch for highlight reel plays from juniors Aiden-Caleb Rodriguez and LeGarrette Blount Jr. and sophomores A.J. Anderson and Jakai Cooks.
10. Scottsdale Desert Mountain
Incredibly talented in the secondary with guys who possess great ball skills. Watch for seniors Hassan Smith, Jeneral Solomon and Braylon Wilkerson to lead the way. All great hitters and cover guys.
11. Gilbert Highland
This should be one of coach Brock Farrel's best secondaries, led by returning starters DeShown Johnson and Bentley Anderson. They're gifted athletes who are great in man coverage and punishing run stoppers. High football IQs in the secondary.
12. Tucson Mica Mountain
The two-time defending 4A champions have a solid four in the secondary in seniors Kaden Watson (corner), Kaden White (corner) and Nic Regina (safety) and junior Ty Welch (safety).
13. Phoenix Arcadia
If the Titans get back to the 4A final, defense will lead the way. They return three juniors who all played last year. Not the biggest, but they have good ball skills, and they're secure tacklers. They are corner/safety Jordan Barnes, corner Cayd Sheaffer and corner Broden Arnold.
14. Peoria Liberty
Defense always leads the Lions, and they're strong again in the secondary, led by Cannon Collins and Kadin Young.
15. Glendale Mountain Ridge
This is perhaps the strongest area for the Lions, who are led by junior free safety Mason Weedman and senior strong safety Max Olson. Weedman started eight games last year as a sophomore. Olson is Mountain Ridge's most physical DB and will roam the back end like a center fielder. Corner Lukas Hindle has good cover skills.
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote for the top Arizona high school football defensive back rooms
