The defensive back position consistently showcases some of the most athletic and dynamic players under the Friday night lights. As we turn our attention to the class of 2026 in Texas, it’s clear that this group has some exceptional talent. These young athletes have already begun to make a name for themselves with their playmaking abilities, speed, and instincts. The mission and goal of The Platform is to #ExposeTheUnexposed and provide adequate coverage of athletes around the country giving them exposure. With the season right around the corner, we spotlight a list of top prospects from this class who are set to dominate on the field and make significant impacts for their teams. Keep an eye on these rising stars as they continue to elevate their game.
Watchlist Criteria
In-Person Evaluation
Film Evaluation
Stats/Player Impact/Upside
Markel Ford, from Mesquite Horn High School, is heady player who plays fast and he has the range to cover ground in a hurry from his safety position. Ford has excellent ball skills, his field vision combined with his superb technique enables him to be in position to make plays on the ball consistently. He comes up in run support under control and he takes proper angles to the football. Ford has the versatility to walk down and cover slot receivers in the passing game. He is one of the most sought after defensive prospects in the 2026 class in Texas. He committed to Texas A&M this offseason.
Chace Calicut has the prototype frame that college coaches covet at the cornerback position. The North Shore product had a phenomenal sophomore season and he returns as one the highly rated junior defenders in the state of Texas. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Chace has a long, lengthy frame and he uses his extended reach to play the passing lanes aggressively. He plays the run with a physical presence and he is a sure tackler in the open field. Calicut has seen his profile rise on the recruiting trail this offseason with offers coming in from Colorado, Minnesota, LSU, Texas A&M, UTSA, TCU and UTEP to name a few.
Fort Bend Marshall’s Isaiah Williams, is one of the top safety prospects in the country and he returns for his junior season to continue to be a nightmare for opposing offenses. Williams is a ballhawk in the secondary, who has unlimited range and his elite field vision enables him to be in position to make big plays. In an early season contest versus Santa Fe, he stepped in front of a pass over the middle and immediately returned it for six. Not only can he cover but he has the speed to make a house call for six on a turnover. He is a sure tackler who delivers big hits in run support. He has the skill set that college programs seek out in top flight defensive backs. Williams has excellent cover skills. He can come down in the slot and cover wideouts, locking up receivers in space shutting down passing windows. He is a national recruit with offers from top programs such as Texas, LSU, Ohio State, Florida, Tennessee and Oregon.
Ryan Gilbert II, is 6-foot 180 pound cornerback, who has the skill set to play lockdown defense out on an island. Gilbert II has superb footwork, he transitions into his backpedal cleanly and his ability to turn, cut and mirror receivers in coverage enables him to be in position to make plays on the football. He gets hands on receivers in press coverage to disrupt their routes and he is physical at the point of attack. Gilbert II plays with a competitive fire to his game. He plays the passing lanes with excellent vision and he attacks the football at the catch point well without committing penalties. Ryan plays with great leverage and he attacks ball carriers under control taking proper angles. He had a stellar sophomore season registering 2 interceptions and he only allowed 2 receptions. Gilbert II is a national recruit with offers from top programs such as Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Nebraska, Ole Miss and Arizona State. Ryan committed to Texas A&M earlier in July, which shows the Aggies commitment to locking in one of the top defenders in the 2026 class.
Donovan Webb is a two way player, who has the skill set to be a threat on both sides of the ball but he has the natural instincts that makes him one of the top safeties in the 2026 class in Texas. Webb has excellent ball skills and he has the speed to cover ground from his safety position. He has superb field vision that enables him to be in position to make plays on the football. Donovan is physical in run support, he runs the alleys with great speed and he is a sure tackler in the open field. Webb is a ballhawk in coverage and when he gets his hands on the ball, he turns into an offensive threat. He is an elite returner and key contributor on special teams. Webb had 262 return yards with 2 touchdowns in 2023. Defensively he registered 109 tackles with 4 interceptions and he had a pick six return of 84 yards. Webb has a double digit list of offers that includes UNLV, TCU, Ole Miss, Minnesota, Louisiana Tech and Tulsa.
One of the more versatile defensive backs in the 2026 class, Braylon Edwards has the skill set to make plays at safety or cornerback. Edwards is technically sound, he plays fast and he transitions into his backpedal smoothly. He is stout at the point of attack when he plays press coverage, he has violent hands that are disruptive and he is a sticky defender who doesn’t give ground easily. Edwards has great instincts that allow him to see the field well and he loves to get his hands on the football, causing turnovers for his team. He totaled 86 tackles with 3 interceptions as a sophomore. Edwards had a productive spring after making the move over to Duncanville and he has settled in well into the Panthers secondary. He has offers from Texas A&M Commerce, SMU, North Texas, Lamar, UTSA and Coastal Carolina. You can expect that number to increase before the 2024 season is done.
Port Arthur Memorial standout Brock King has the skill set that top flight cornerbacks possess. King is a feisty defender who has excellent ball skills, he is stout in press coverage and he doesn’t give ground easily. His footwork is clean, he has excellent short area quickness and he plays fast. He diagnoses and attacks plays in the running game quickly, coming up in run support under control. His ability to aggressively attack ball carriers and lay the wood are several traits that flash in King’s game. He was selected 8-5A DI Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore. King has a total of 19 offers in his bag heading into his junior season from programs that include Texas, Oregon, Texas A&M, SMU, Central Florida, UTEP and Nebraska.
Allen High School standout Lebron Bauer has all the tools that elite defensive backs possess. He is a sticky defender who excels in press coverage. He get hands on receivers early at the point of attack which enables him to get them off their axis. Bauer has natural instincts that allows him to play the passing lanes aggressively and this makes him a shut down defender who can play out on an island. He is a sure tackler who plays with great leverage and he takes proper angles to the football. Bauer has flexible hips that uses to turn, cut and mirror receivers in coverage, staying in phase with his opponent in space. His well rounded skill set has made him an attractive prospect, earning offers from schools that include Houston, Arkansas and Texas Tech.
Crowley cornerback Brandon Ford has been on a steady climb since getting the opportunity to start his freshman season. He is a two-year starter who is technically sound, he transitions into his backpedal smoothly and he plays with an aggressiveness in his game. Ford tackles well in space and when he diagnoses the play he attacks quickly. He has great hips that enables him to flip and run with receivers, staying locked in their hip pocket. Brandon doesn’t give ground easily and this enables him to attack the catch point aggressively. Ford has a list of double digit offers that includes, Houston, Texas Tech, UTEP, Washington State, Arizona State, North Texas and SMU.
Marcell Gipson Jr. from South Oak Cliff in Dallas, had an impressive sophomore season where he rose to the occasion and put himself in the conversation as one of the top defensive backs in the 2026 class in Texas. Gipson Jr. is physical at the point of attack, he has good eye discipline and he gets hands on receivers to disrupt their routes in press coverage. He is a sure tackler who comes up in run support showing excellent speed and he take good angles to the ball carrier. Gipson Jr. has the speed to run with receivers on deep routes, staying in phase and while mirroring them in coverage. He contributes on special teams for South Oak Cliff. He is an elite open field runner who has the speed to make a house call for six. Gipson Jr. is one the key returning defenders for the Golden Bears in 2024. He has offers from the likes of Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Ole Miss and Wisconsin.
When you see Conroe defensive back Xavier Harmon in person he passes the eye test. He has a long, rangy build at 6-foot-2 and 183 pounds. He has an extended reach that he uses to get hands on receivers at the line of scrimmage to disrupt their routes. His footwork is clean and he has great hips that allow him to stay in phase with receivers in close coverage. He has the versatility to line up at cornerback or safety and make plays. From his safety position he has the range to cover ground in a hurry and he comes up in run support laying the wood. I have had the chance to see Harmon up close in a 7v7 setting and he showed that he has the ball skills to play either position at a high level. He has seen offers come in from the likes of LSU, TCU, Arizona and Michigan State.
Victor Lincoln Jr. heads into his junior year at Lancaster as one of the top defensive backs in the 2026 class. He has excellent ball skills, his technique is sound and he has natural instincts that enable him to be in position to make plays on the football. His ability to plant, cut and turn quickly allows him to attack the catch point with aggression. Lincoln Jr. has good length with violent hands that he uses well at the point of attack to get physical with receivers at the snap. He plays sticky defense and this allows him to hold his own out on an island. His stock on the recruiting trail is trending upward with offers from Purdue, Texas Tech, Nebraska, Arkansas and Boston College coming in the month of July.
Yaheim Riley is a ballhawk from his safety position and if the ball is in his zip code he is going to make a play on it. The Austin LBJ standout has the speed to cover ground in a hurry on the backend and he closes on the ball with intentions of making a big play. Riley tackles well in the open field and runs the alleys under control. He delivers big blows to ball carriers and he is a sure tackler in the open field. He established himself as a premier playmaker in the LBJ secondary in 2023. He was selected as the 12-5A Defensive MVP, registering 75 tackles and 4 interceptions with 2 pick sixes. College programs have seen his potential to be a playmaker at the next level. He has offers from the likes of Abilene Christian, Houston, Texas Tech, Tulsa, North Texas and Arizona State.
Jason Braford is a big, physical cornerback with great length and he is physical with receivers at the line of scrimmage. He has the frame that college programs seek out at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds. Bradford moves well in space and he changes directions quickly, which allows him to mirror receivers in coverage. He uses his length to his advantage in coverage to extend and shut down passing lanes. He comes up in run support under control and he explodes on the ball carrier making a sure tackle. Bradford saw his recruiting pick up this offseason with Texas Tech, Vanderbilt and Arizona State all coming to the table with offers.
