615 Preps Football: 40 returning defensive backs to know in 2025

Spring has arrived, meaning we’re just a few short months away from the 2025 high school football kicking off. That means it’s a perfect time for some preview action to prepare you for the upcoming season.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll have pieces highlighting certain position groups and the top area players in those groups to keep an eye on in the new season.

These lists will include area players who were statistically some of the area’s best in 2024. All submissions were also sent in with stats provided by their coaches.

Coby Belton, Antioch, Sr. Belton was a threat in all three phases for the Bears. 300+ receiving yards and return yards on top of three pass break ups and a pick, not to mention, he was a factor in the run game with 45 tackles.

Amari Peters, Antioch, Sr.: Antioch has a promising returning secondary with Belton and Peters. Peters put up very similar stats to Belton, with 33 tackles, four pass break ups, a pick and a defensive touchdown.

Anton Wright, Beech, Sr.: Beech looks to contend again, and Wright was a force in the secondary last season. 43 tackles, five breakups, and a pick to go along with it.

Aiden Curry, Beech, Sr.: Curry and Wright are a dangerous duo for the Bucs. The junior had 40 tackles, two picks, and six pass breakups. This duo brings a whole new meaning to Shackle Island because they’re putting receivers on an island and locking them down.

Christian Walker, BGA, Sr.: Walker was a key part of BGA’s success last year. The All-Region selection had an impressive 45 tackles en route to a second place finish in DII-AA.

Jaden Lark Blackman, Sr.: Lark had a stellar year for the Blaze in a tough region. 32 tackles, two of them for loss, three interceptions, and the cherry on top: ZERO touchdowns allowed.

Trey McGaffee, Blackman, Sr.: McGaffee joins Lark in the Blackman secondary for another season, and this unit is scary. McGaffee had 54 tackles, two for loss, an interception, and a fumble recovery.

Easton Jointer, Brentwood Academy, Sr.: Jointer was a ballhawk for the Eagles in his junior year with four interceptions. He will look to top that number as BA looks to return to DII-AAA glory.

Jackson Allen, Brentwood, Sr.: Allen had a breakout year as a junior. Starting off with a clutch pick-six in the Bruins’ season opener comeback against Blackman, he added another pick-six later on. His 65 tackles and four pass breakups on top of that helped him secure Region 6-6A All-Region honors.

Parker Emerson, Brentwood, Jr.: Emerson had a great year in his first full-time varsity season. The WR/DB combo had a very efficient six catches for 129 yards on offense, and 68 tackles, a pick, and two breakups on defense. He was selected for Region 6-6A All-Region. The scariest part? He still has two more seasons.

Demarteze Russell, Cane Ridge, Sr.: In a difficult season for the Ravens, Russell was a bright spot. Not only was he Region 5-6A All Region, but he was also selected to the Metro Schools All-City team.

Miles Alexander, Cannon County, So.: Alexander had an impressive freshman season on both sides of the ball. 19 tackles, seven breakups, and two picks, as well as six offensive touchdowns on over seven yards per carry. He was selected as an All-Region Honorable Mention.

Weston Willeford, CPA, Sr.: Willeford had big shoes to fill when Ondre Evans graduated, but he stepped up. He ended his junior season with 46 tackles, three for loss, three interceptions, five pass break ups, a forced fumble and recovery.

Dominic Davis, DCA, So.: Davis had more catches as a defensive back than most receivers get in their freshman season. Five interceptions and 26 tackles fresh out of middle school is enough to make any coach excited.

JBrien Crawford, East Nashville, Jr.: Crawford was impressive as a sophomore, totaling 22 tackles and three picks in a talented East secondary that included Austin Peay commitment Antoni Morton.

Ke’vonte Pitts, East Nashville, Jr.: Pitts was one of the area’s best defensive backs regardless of class and his stats back that up with 41 tackles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery.

Justin Hopkins, Ensworth, Sr.: Hopkins, a Minnesota commitment, was dominant on both sides of the ball for the Tigers. Along with being a lockdown corner, he also led the team in receiving with 700 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with a 90 yard kick return touchdown.

Jayden Pyant, Ensworth, Sr.: Pyant was versatile for the Tigers. He put up 56 tackles, four breakups, three quarterback pressures *as a defensive back,* and added four offensive touchdowns.

Bishop Starling, Ensworth, Sr.: Hasselbeck might have himself a Legion of Boom this season. On top of Hopkins and Pyant, Ensworth has Bishop Starling, who made the All-Region team with 17 tackles, six pass break ups, four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), two fumble recoveries and punt return for a touchdown.

Samuel Goode, Ezell-Harding, Sr.: Goode was lockdown for the Eagles. He had six pass breakups and a pick. Not to mention he only allowed one touchdown.

Omarii Sanders, FRA, Jr.: Sanders put up insane numbers last season. The four-star sophomore had 82 tackles, five for loss, and four picks. That was enough for him to be selected to 1st team All-State.

Luke Thompson, Franklin, Sr.: Franklin has finally had a renaissance after four down years and Thompson was a big reason why. He racked up 750 total yards with six touchdowns on offense, and on defense he had 68 tackles and three picks leading to being named Region 6-6A Athlete of the Year.

Trenton Buchanan, Green Hill, Sr.: Green Hill’s secondary was going to be great heading into 2025 and has only gotten better with the addition of former West Creek athlete Buchanan. A two-way standout, Buchanan was at his best on defense last year racking up 22 tackles, five pass break ups and two interceptions.

Will Butler, Green Hill, Jr.: Green Hill has a gem in Will Butler. The three star recruit was selected All-Region as a sophomore after continually making massive plays for one of the area’s top defenses.

Jackson Crawford, Green Hill, Sr.: Another All-Region DB in Green Hill’s secondary, Crawford’s made him impact felt for since first stepping onto the field.

Dom Hamer, Hillsboro, Sr.: Hamer was shut down for the Burros last year. With 32 tackles and eight pass breakups it was rare for a QB to successfully throw on him.

Jeremiah Warren, Liberty Creek, Sr.: Warren did everything for the Wolves on defense. The Region 5-3A All-Region selection racked up 89 tackles, an interception, three deflections and a forced fumble.

Jaylan Strong, Maplewood, Sr.: Strong had a great junior season for the Panthers accounting for 54 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Graham Geshke, MBA, Sr.: Geshke was an anchor for the Big Red’s defense last year, putting up 46 tackles and two picks. The senior looks to expand on that this season.

Malik Price, McGavock, Jr.: McGavock didn’t have a great season last year, but Price did. As a sophomore, he had three pass breakups and 35 tackles, and his next two seasons show a lot of promise.

Dre Gibson, Nashville Christian, Sr.: Gibson was limited last year due to transfer; however, when he’s on the field, he is a shutdown corner and a dynamic special teamer. The senior currently holds offers from top Group of Six programs like Troy, Jacksonville State, and Western Kentucky.

Kyrie Gainor, Oakland, Sr.: Gainor played a big role in the Patriots’ state title run racking up 67 tackles, four interceptions and three pass breakup.

Knight Wilson, Page, Sr.: Wilson was a key factor on the Patriots’ dominant defense in 2024. While most of the attention went to Eric Hazzard and Brenden Anes, Wilson manned the secondary recording 68 tackles, four deflections, six interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and two defensive scores.

Anthony Carnahan, Pearl-Cohn, Jr.: Pearl had a standout sophomore at corner last season in Carnahan. He recorded 59 tackles, two for loss, and two interceptions for a Firebirds’ secondary that made a lot of noise.

Jaylen Pollard, Ravenwood, Sr.: Pollard’s play on the field might make you think of another Pollard that walked the halls in East Brentwood a couple years ago. The senior, and son of former Tennessee Titan Bernard Pollard, had 65 tackles, a pick, and four forced fumbles in his junior season.

Hudson Fuqua, Riverdale, Jr.: Fuqua was a force on defense for the Warriors last season. He recorded six pass breakups and two interceptions. Most notably the sophomore had 90 tackles, two for loss.

Riley Talley, Rockvale, Sr.: The Rockets had a rocket playing in all three phases with Talley. He had 400 return yards and two touchdowns on special teams; 60 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 breakups on defense; and 60 catches for 800 yards and seven scores at receiver.

Jermaine Cobbins, Springfield, So.: Cobbins was everywhere on the field for the Yellow Jackets last season. He recorded 48 tackles, two for loss, and four interceptions. Did I mention he was a freshman? Catch him this season as we follow Springfield Football on Into the Hive.

Jaxyn Law, Stratford, Sr.: Law did it all for the Spartans’ defense last season, putting up 58 tackles, six for loss, five sacks, an interception, and three fumble recoveries. He contributed a little on offense, too, catching 10 passes for 150 yards and a score.

Brandon Powell, II, Whites Creek, So.: Powell had a solid freshman campaign for the Cobras, starting in every game and recording 17 tackles, two breakups, and two picks. Powell looks to have a breakout season this year.

Mike Palmer, Wilson Central, Sr.: Palmer was a scoring machine for Wilson, putting up two defensive touchdowns, one pick six and one fumble recovery. On top of that, he had 32 tackles and looks to increase those numbers this season.