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Vote top Mississippi high school football defensive back for 2026 MHSAA, MAIS
Who is Mississippi's top defensive back entering the 2026 high school football season? MHSAA and MAIS football fans can decide which high school defensive back is the best in the state. Now it's your turn to vote.
Fans may vote in the poll BELOW one time per hour per device. The poll closes at noon on Friday, Aug. 7. The nominees come from the Clarion Ledger's top defensive back watch list from last week.
Vote Mississippi's top high school football defensive back for 2026 MHSAA, MAIS season
Jaylin Andrews, Hattiesburg: Andrews had 49 tackles with 37 solo and two interceptions. He holds offers from Ole Miss , Mississippi State, Alabama and Auburn, among others.
Josiah Barnes, Oak Grove: The Troy commit had 81 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception.
Trae'kerrion Collins, Terry: The Mississippi State commit and transfer from Ridgeland produced 62 tackles with five interceptions and two tackles for loss.
Nathan Cornelison, Tupelo Christian Prep: Cornelison had 63 total tackles with 35 solo, seven interceptions and three pass breakups.
Brayden Gates, Amory: Gates produced 55 tackles, nine for loss, 11 pass breakups and an interception. He holds offers from Ole Miss and Jackson State.
Jamiyon Gray, Mize: Gray had 96 tackles, 17 for a loss with 11 sacks and two interceptions. He was named the MAC 2A defensive player of the year last season.
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: QB | RB | WR | OL | DL | LB | DB | ST
Ashton Grice, Baldwyn: The junior produced 39 tackles and 34 solo, with nine interceptions for 124 return yards and eight pass breakups.
Keontae Griffis, Pontotoc: Griffis recorded 65 tackles with 15 for loss and an interception last season.
Herrin Goodman, Jackson Prep: The sophomore had 91 tackles with 49 solo, five tackles for loss and three interceptions.
Brandon Laneaux, Pass Christian: The sophomore had 87 tackles, five interceptions, with four tackles for loss and two field goal blocks.
Tanner Hardy, Brookhaven: Hardy had 67 tackles with six picks, helping Brookhaven to an MHSAA 5A title. He holds offers from Jackson State, South Alabama and Arkansas State.
Sanjiya Hickman, Nanih Waiya: Hickman recorded 12 pass breakups and two interceptions last season. He holds an offer from Jackson State.
Dean Hunter, West Harrison: Hunter had 54 total tackles, five interceptions and four pass breakups. He has offers from Army, Navy and Alcorn State.
Javeon Johnson, Ridgeland: The sophomore had 41 tackles and three interceptions. Johnson has offers from South Alabama, Georgia State and Jackson State.
Jamarious Little, Noxubee County: Little had five interceptions and three pass breakups with 38 tackles last season.
Wesley Loy, Wesson: Loy produced 46 tackles with six interceptions and four pass breakups.
Kevin Marshall, Pascagoula: Marshall had 85 tackles with two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He has offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Oklahoma and Tulane, among others.
Trey McQueen, Hattiesburg: The three-star recruit and Brandon transfer had 80 tackles with nine pass breakups and two interceptions.
Dolph McDonald, Morton: The three-star recruit had 31 tackles with five interceptions. McDonald has offers from Arkansas, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, among others.
Delwin Perkins Jr., McComb: The South Alabama commit recorded 31 tackles, with two for loss and four interceptions.
Stanley Peters Jr., Seminary: The Arkansas commit produced 31 tackles, with 12 pass breakups and three interceptions.
Kamron Roberts, Brandon: Roberts, the transfer from Jackson Prep, had 42 tackles with three for a loss. He has offers from Ole Miss, Duke and Arkansas, among others.
Pasario Self, Cleveland Central: The Jackson State commit had 50 tackles with 15 for loss and seven pass breakups.
Crayden Shannon, Tupelo: Shannon, the Saltillo transfer, missed all but one game last season. He had offers from Arkansas State, North Alabama and Southern Miss.
Solomon Walker, Shannon: Walker had 26 solo tackles with 17 pass breakups and five interceptions.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach out to him on X @MikeSChavez or Facebook at Michael Chavez .
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Vote top Mississippi high school football defensive back for 2026 MHSAA, MAIS
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