Last week we looked at the top 5 offenses in the 2022 Florida high school football season. Now we examine the other side of the ball. With the state loaded in talent at the defensive back position, here are the top 5 Florida high school football secondaries entering the new season
1. IMG Academy
The Ascenders topped our list of top offenses in the state. Not surprising for a team as good from top to bottom as IMG Academy is, they hold the No. 1 spot here too.
IMG Academy enters the 2022 Florida high school football season with an elite 2024 class of defensive backs led by two of the nation’s top corners in Desmond Ricks and Ellis Robinson IV, as well as Top 100 safety Jaydan Hardy. In addition to those three, talented junior Jordan Johnson-Rubell could play a key role, as could four-star senior Dale Miller, who transferred from Hoover High School in Alabama.
2. St. Thomas Aquinas
Another team on that list of top offenses, defending Class 7A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas returns a notable amount of production from a year ago in their defensive backfield.
Among the leaders of this group will be senior safeties King Mack and Conrad Hussey, who combined for over 80 tackles a year ago, while versatile cornerback Kimari Robinson could be set for a big 2022 season. Junior safety Ryan Mack, a name that is emerging as one of Florida’s top defensive backs in the 2024 class, could also play a key role for the Raiders’ secondary in 2022.
3. Chaminade-Madonna
The defending Class 3A state champions, Chaminade-Madonna was also on the offensive list, and features highly on the defensive list, thanks in particular to one of the nation’s top 2024 prospects.
Junior safety Zaquan Patterson will lead the Lions’ secondary after ranking among the team’s leaders in tackles as a sophomore, while versatile senior D’Angelo Ponds also returns after a strong 2021 season. The Lions have also added three-star cornerback Luke Evans, who transferred from Stoneman Douglas for his senior season.
4. Lake Gibson
Even after losing names such as Sam McCall, Lake Gibson still has one of the top secondaries in Florida, led by the state’s top defensive back and overall player.
Five-star cornerback Cormani McClain is undoubtedly the leader of the Braves’ secondary, having collected 19 interceptions over the last two seasons, while a few other names will also play increased roles in the 2022 Florida high school football season. Among those returnees is junior safety Brayshon Williams, who is coming off an impressive sophomore season in which he recorded 40 tackles.
5. American Heritage
The final spot within the Top 5 goes to American Heritage, despite the Patriots losing two of the state’s top defensive backs in Earl Little Jr. and Jacolby Spells from this past season.
Headlining the 2022 American Heritage secondary will be two four-star seniors in cornerback Damari Brown and safety Daemon Fagan, a duo that combined for 46 tackles and three interceptions a year ago. Among the other returning options in the Patriots’ secondary will be Hunter Roberts, Noah Eugene, and Corey Goldsby Jr.
A few other notable Florida secondaries bear mentioning as well:
HM – Osceola
The Kowboys will return two talented cornerbacks in four-star Ja’Keem Jackson and three-star Bo Mascoe, a duo that combined for 10 interceptions a year ago.
HM – Carrollwood Day
Carrollwood Day’s secondary will feature one of the state’s top junior defensive backs in Tavoy Feagin, as well as three-star Michigan State commit Eddie Pleasant III.
HM – Killian
Killian’s 2022 secondary will be headlined by three-star Nebraska commit Dwight Bootle II, as well as versatile safety Mark-Allen Gay Jr.
HM – Gulliver Prep
One of the bigger cornerback duos in Florida high school football is Gulliver Prep’s Daniel Harris and Antonio Smith, both of whom bring a wealth of experience.
HM – Naples
The Eagles’ 2022 secondary will feature three-star cornerback Jonas Duclona, as well as safety Kerry Brown, who collected 82 tackles and three interceptions a year ago.
