By Scott Hansen

MaxPreps.com

Where do you start with so much talent?

Out of all the positions filled with Division I verbal commitments and prospects in the Lone Star State, the positions with the most talent could arguably be in the secondary at cornerback and safety.

Lancaster, a 4A school in suburban Dallas with a population of approximately 25,000 residents, has three Division I prospects alone that will battle for not only All-District honors, but Texas Top 100 honors as well. All three are major Division I recruits, yet none have been selected in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Super Team Defense. You could possibly add a fourth if you count running back Phillip Harvey, who is another highly-regarded projected defensive back at the next level.

Aldine Eisenhower’s Craig Loston, Abilene Cooper’s Will Ford, Clear Creek’s Marcus Davis, Brownwood’s Oklahoma commit Kenny Vaccaro, and utility man Roderick Goodlow of Dallas Adamson are all first team preseason selections by the annual.

As of July 23, 14 different prospects on this list alone were committed to Division I schools.

Top Senior Defensive Backs in Texas

Alex Alexander, Brookshire Royal (5-8, 165)

Alexander was a 24-3A All-District selection as a running back last season for the Falcons. It may have been on the defensive side of the football where Alexander made the most impact. Alexander had 120 tackles and two interceptions last season. On offense, Alexander rushed for eight touchdowns.

Collin Ashley, Flower Mound (6-0, 175)

Ashley was named the 6-5A Defensive Most Valuable player as a junior. Ashley picked off six passes last season and had 37 tackles. Ashley heads into the 2008 season on the radar of some Division I programs. Ashley has been timed in the 40-yard dash in the 4.4 range and is seen as an emerging prospect, also playing wide receiver for Flower Mound. 

Eryon Barnett, Euless Trinity (6-2, 190)

Barnett is one of the key returnees for the defending 5A-I state champions. Barnett knows what winning is all about and should be a nice fit at the University of Texas. Barnett had 48 tackles and three interceptions for the Trojans last season as a junior, garnering second team All-District honors in the process.

Collin Bibb, San Antonio Alamo Heights (5-10, 180)

Bibb was a unanimous All-District selection as a junior in 27-4A. Bibb got off to a slow start in the interception department, but caught fire late in the latter stages of the campaign. Five of Bibb’s six interceptions came in the final six games. Bibb also lead the Mule defense with 91 tackles in 2007.

Joseph Bonugli, San Antonio Warren (6-0, 175)

Bonugli is one of the top safeties in the state of Texas. As a junior, Bonugli was valuable in run support, registering 79 tackles with six of them behind the line of scrimmage. Bonugli added four interceptions to his impressive résumé, returning one 49 yards for a touchdown. Bonugli is a major Division I prospect heading into his senior season.

Tyler Boss, Klein (6-3, 175)

Boss was an All-District selection at his safety position in 16-5A last season. Boss, who also saw time at receiver hauling in a touchdown reception, recorded 54 tackles and three interceptions as a junior. Klein moves to a difficult 13-5A this season after realignment.

Darren Brantley, Spring (5-8, 150)

Brantley had no fear in covering bigger wide receivers as a junior for Spring. Brantley was an All-District pick in 16-5A, coming off a season where he had three interceptions. Brantley is one of the top returnees for the Lions heading into this fall.

Kevin Brent, South Oak Cliff (6-0, 205)

Brent led the Bears with 85 tackles and three interceptions as a junior. Brent is regarded as one of the top defensive back prospects in the country and is considered a major Division I prospect.

C.J. Broades, Texarkana Pleasant Grove (6-1, 185)

Broades was selected to the 26-3A team as a wide receiver last season after his 620 receiving yards and six scores. On defense, Broades made a similar splash. Broades led the Hawks with 119 tackles and also picked off two passes as a junior.

Erik Brown, Converse Judson (5-10, 180)

Brown is a shutdown corner. As a junior, Brown led Converse Judson’s resurgence in the state playoffs which ended in the 5A-I state final with a loss to Euless Trinity. Brown intercepted seven passes last season and was named to the All-District team in 26-5A.

Joshua Brown, Lancaster (5-11, 175)

Lancaster returns all 11 starters on defense from 2007, with Brown the most highly-touted of the defensive backs. Brown is being recruited by a handful of Division I schools heading into his senior season.

Terrence Bullitt, Garland Naaman Forest (6-3, 185)

Bullitt was named second team All-District in 10-5A as a junior. Bullitt recorded 70 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and an interception in 2007. Bullitt is yet another Division I prospect from the Lone Star State.

Steven Campbell, Jersey Village (6-0, 180)

Despite a rough season for Jersey Village, Campbell performed like a winner for the Falcons. Campbell was an All-District pick in 17-5A last season after producing 58 tackles and two interceptions. Campbell has verbally committed to Texas A&M.

Luis Charles, Los Fresnos (5-10, 175)

Charles earned All-District honors in 32-5A after pacing the Falcons to a solid 10-3 season. Charles posted 80 tackles and one fumble recovery in 2007. Los Fresnos has won back-to-back district titles and will look for a third with Charles roaming the secondary in 2008.

Daniel Cobb, Killeen Ellison (6-1, 195)

Cobb is verbally committed to Texas Tech heading into his senior season. Cobb was a unanimous All-District choice in 13-5A as a junior as a safety. Cobb is also a return specialist for the Eagles, receiving All-District honors as a returner along with his normal safety spot. Cobb picked off five passes last season for Ellison and is one of the most exciting players in the state for 2008.

Kip Daily, A&M Consolidated (6-0, 195)

Daily was an All-District honoree in 13-5A after a solid campaign as a junior. The Tigers got off to a rough start thanks in part to a brutal schedule, which included Pflugerville, Leander, Austin Westlake, and Katy. Daily returns after an impressive summer in 7-on-7 and is looking to play his way into bigger things.

Marcus Davis, League City Clear Creek (6-0, 195)

Davis was an All-District selection in 24-5A and is regarded as one of the elite prospects at his position nationally. The University of Texas commit had three interceptions as a junior to go along with 31 tackles.

Julian Dozier, Round Rock Stony Point (5-9, 170)

Dozier is on the radar of Division I schools heading into his senior campaign for the Tigers. Dozier is a speed guy, clocking in the neighborhood of 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. As a junior, Dozier posted 43 tackles and a pair of interceptions.

Thomas Ferguson, South Grand Prairie (6-1, 205)

Ferguson was one of the bright spots in what was a rough campaign for the Warriors, finishing the season with a 4-6 record. Ferguson missed out on postseason honors in 7-5A last season despite his 66 tackle effort from the safety spot.

Steven Fleming, Lamar Consolidated (6-4, 180)

Fleming was a part of a championship-winning defense as Lamar Consolidated rolled to the 4A-I state championship, its first in school-history. Fleming missed the final game due to a broken wrist, but was stellar up until that point. Fleming was an All-District selection in 24-4A after picking off 10 passes as a junior.

Will Ford, Abilene Cooper (6-1, 190)

Ford did all he could to aid Cooper in the rough and tumble 3-5A, loaded with Odessa Permian, Midland Lee, Midland, and Abilene. With all the competition, Ford got lost in the shuffle when it came to All-District honors. Ford, a Texas Tech commit, had 65 tackles and two interceptions as a junior. Cooper moves to 4A this season, making Ford one of the top players from the word go.

Derrick Francis, Richardson Berkner (6-1, 170)

Francis returns in 2008 to lead a defense eager to lead Berkner on a playoff run. Francis posted 44 tackles for the Rams, good enough to earn him an All-District selection in 9-5A as a junior.

DeMarquez Freeman, Lufkin (5-11, 170)

Freeman is the leading returnee in the defensive backfield for the Panthers. Freeman earned All-District honors in 15-5A as a junior, leading the team with five interceptions. Lufkin is one of the teams looking to make a serious run in 2008, so it helps to have a proven commodity in Freeman patrolling the secondary.

Desmond Gardiner, Port Allen Memorial (6-1, 170)

Gardiner was the only All-District performer named to the First Team in 21-5A as a junior for the Titans. Gardiner was stellar, recording 47 tackles, 13 passes broken up, and four interceptions in 2007. Gardiner is a Division I prospect.

Kendrick Geyen, Cibolo Steele (6-0, 185)

Geyen was an All-District pick in 26-4A, a district that includes can’t miss linebacker Tom Wort of New Braunfels. Geyen is one of the top returning defenders in his district after producing 81 tackles and four interceptions as a junior. Geyen is a three-year returning starter for the Knights.

Andrew Green, San Antonio Madison (6-0, 180)

Green paced Madison to a deep run in the 5A-II state playoffs, losing out in the semifinals to eventual champion Katy. Green was an All-District honoree in 26-5A. On offense, Green rushed for six touchdowns. In the loss to Katy, Green picked off one of his five passes last season and hauled it 82 yards for a score in the 20-14 loss.

Roderick Goodlow, Dallas Adamson (6-2, 200)

Goodlow is as good as it gets for safeties in the Lone Star State. Goodlow posted 109 tackles as a junior and was named to the All-District team in 14-4A. Goodlow tacked on four interceptions for good measure and is considered a major Division I prospect.

James Holloway, Houston Washington (6-2, 185)

Holloway was a Second Team All-District selection in 20-4A as a junior. The War Eagles move to 22-4A in 2008 and enter the season as the favorites to claim the district crown. Holloway is regarded as one of the top safeties in the state and will look to garner more Division I attention this fall.

Demontre Hurst, Lancaster (6-0, 170)

Hurst joins an elite group of defensive returning starters for the Tigers, as all 11 are back from last year’s team. Hurst was a second team All-District choice in 15-4A as a junior. Hurst has a host of Division I offers heading into his senior season. Hurst had 50 tackles last season and also excels in track and in the classroom, sporting a 3.8 grade point average.

Corey Johnson, San Antonio East Central (6-0, 165)

Johnson earned 27-5A All-District honors as a junior for the Hornets, a team hoping to make a run at the postseason in 2008. Johnson held up his end of the bargain in 2007, picking off five passes to earn a unanimous choice to the All-District unit.

Daniel Jordan, Wylie (5-11, 160)

Jordan was selected as a member of the 9-5A All-District Second Team as a junior, a district loaded with some of the top teams in the entire state. Jordan had 53 tackles and seven interceptions as a junior and is regarded one of the top defensive backs in 5A for 2008.

Prinz Kande, Euless Trinity (6-0, 185)

Kande, committed to upstart Kansas, was a second team All-District choice in 7-5A as a junior operating out of his safety position. Kande recorded 15 tackles in a victory over Grand Prairie late in the regular season. Kande joins teammate Earnest Norman with his commitment to the Jayhawks.

LaRon Kelly, Plano (5-10, 175)

Kelly was a second team All-District choice in 9-5A as a junior after a respectable season patrolling his safety position. Kelly is one of numerous Division I prospects for the Wildcats, who are looking to win a state championship in 5A.  Kelly intercepted four passes last season and is a good piece to the potential title puzzle.

Marquis Kindle, Houston Lamar (6-0, 175)

Kindle earned a unanimous selection to the 20-5A All-District unit as a junior for Lamar, which posted an impressive 10-2 mark a year ago and head into the season as one of the favorites for district honors. Kindle is one of the leading returnees on defense for the Redskins.

Kerry Lewis, Lancaster (5-9, 180)

Lewis is yet another defensive back that is on the list from Lancaster. Lewis was an All-District selection in 16-4A as a junior and is also a Division I prospect along with Brown and Hurst. Lewis recorded 104 tackles, four forced fumbles, and one interception as a junior.

Dexter Linton, Arlington Bowie (6-0, 190)

Linton was an All-District selection in 8-5A as a free safety in 2007. Joining teammate and potential All-State quarterback Christian Matthews as a verbal commit to Kansas, Linton made waves of his own as a junior. Linton made 103 tackles and two interceptions, returning one for six points, for the Volunteers.

Justin Lopez, El Paso Riverside (6-1, 170)

Lopez led Riverside with six interceptions last season as a junior, to go along with 40 tackles. Lopez also caught 18 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns lining up at wide receiver for the Riverside offensive unit. Lopez was an All-District choice in 2-4A last season for the Rangers.

Craig Loston, Aldine Eisenhower (6-2, 195)

Loston was the Defensive Most Valuable Player in District 19-5A as a junior, leading his team to a 7-0 record within its district. Loston recorded 65 tackles and three interceptions last season and is committed to Clemson.

Anthony McDowell, Odessa Permian (5-11, 185)

McDowell picked up an All-District selection in 3-5A as a junior for one of the most popular football programs nationally. McDowell succeeded as a safety for the Panthers, recording 43 solo tackles in 2007. Permian finished 12-1 last season and was knocked out of the postseason by eventual 5A-I champion Euless Trinity, which Permian beat in the regular season.

Marques McKinney, San Marcos (5-11, 165)

McKinney is the leading returnee in the secondary for the Rattlers in 2008. As a junior, McKinney earned All-District honors in 25-5A after recording 49 tackles and three interceptions. San Marcos moves down to 4A this season after realignment and is hoping for a postseason berth.

Johnny McSheffrey, Sulphur Springs (6-0, 165)

Quarterback Tyrik Rollison is the headliner for the Wildcats, but McSheffrey is back to make headlines of his own in 2008. McSheffrey is the backup to Rollison at quarterback, rushing for two touchdowns on just nine carries last season. On defense, McSheffrey posted 75 tackles, four interceptions, and one sack.

Charlie Moore, Bullard (6-2, 185)

Moore is an outstanding athlete. Along with being an All-State baseball player, Moore does it all on the gridiron for Bullard. Moore was an Offensive Most Valuable Player in 14-3A last season as a wide receiver. Moore also plays quarterback at times. Moore had 63 tackles last season to go along with 23 total touchdowns on offense.

Tyler Patmon, Cedar Park Vista Ridge (5-11, 180)

Vista Ridge is only in its third season of football, but Patmon is already becoming a legend for the new school. Patmon was an All-District performer in 25-4A last season after logging 37 tackles, 10 pass break-ups, and an interception as a junior. Vista Ridge is moving to 16-5A this season. Patmon is committed to Kansas.

Josh Peprah, Plano East (6-0, 195)

Peprah’s brother Charlie is in the National Football League with the Green Bay Packers, but the younger Peprah can also play. As a junior, he recorded 68 tackles to enter the upcoming season as the leading returning tackler for the Panthers.

Quinton Porter, Victoria Memorial (5-9, 185)

Porter was a unanimous selection All-District performer in 2007 for the Vipers in 27-5A, despite Memorial’s 2-8 season.  Porter leads the Vipers into the 2008 season after having an impressive summer in the state 7-on-7 circuit. Look for Porter to make a huge impact in 2008.

Orlando Pratt, Corpus Christi Flour Bluff (5-10, 160)

Pratt was a key contributor on a Hornets defense that allowed seven points or less six times in 2007. Pratt had seven interceptions last season for the Hornets. Flour Bluff is expected to push Corpus Christi Calallen for district honors this season.

Justin Rogers, Royse City (5-9, 170)

After an unbeaten regular season in 2007, Royce City makes the move to 4A this season. Rogers will make the transition easier for the Bulldogs. Rogers was a unanimous choice for All-District honors in 3A-16 as a junior.

Michael Ratterree, Houston Memorial (6-1, 175)

Ratterree is a two-sport star at Memorial, also excelling on the baseball diamond. In football, Ratterree earned All-District honors in 19-5A. Ratterree was also selected to the All-District second team as a sophomore. Last season, Ratterree recorded 51 tackles and two interceptions and also has returned two career picks to the house.

Logan Rowe, The Woodlands (5-9, 170)

Despite his smaller frame, Rowe is a Division I prospect at cornerback. For the Highlanders as a junior, Rowe was named to the 15-5A All-District team. Rowe led The Woodlands with four interceptions as a junior and is back to be a shutdown corner for one of the favorites in 14-5A.

Nathan Snow, Houston Clear Lake (5-10, 175)

Snow picked up All-District honors in 2007 in 24-5A. Clear Lake enters the preseason as one of the favorites, with Snow being the leading returnee in the defensive backfield. As a junior, Snow recorded 80 tackles and one interception.

Steven Terrell, Allen (5-11, 175)

Terrell was named to the 9-5A All-District team as a safety in 2007. Terrell had 96 tackles and two interceptions for the Eagles, helping them to an unbeaten regular season. Terrell is verbally committed to attend Texas A&M.

Charlie Thomas, Beaumont Central (6-1, 195)

Thomas is a two-way threat for the Jaguars. As a junior, Thomas was a second team All-District choice as a running back in 22-4A after rushing for 550 yards. On defense, Thomas recorded 60 tackles for the Jaguars. Thomas is verbally committed to Texas A&M.

Marcus Trice, Mesquite (5-8, 170)

Pound for pound, Price might be the most productive defensive back in the state of Texas. Trice recorded 60 tackles, 14 passes broken up, and seven interceptions as a junior. Trice also excelled on special teams, returning a punt for a touchdown. Trice is committed to the University of Oklahoma.

Kenneth Turner, Snyder (5-7, 165)

Turner has some serious wheels. Turner was the 3A state champion in the 100 meters as a junior, winning by a whole tenth of a second with a time of 10.61. Turner won the 200 and finished fifth in the long jump. The speed merchant helped Snyder to the 3A-II semifinals after recording 32 tackles and five interceptions on the gridiron. Make sure he does not get the ball in his hands. 

Todd Turner, Brookshire Royal (5-8, 165)

Turner brought the wood from his safety position, recording 117 tackles as a junior. Turner was an All-District choice in 26-3A, yet again demonstrating his ability to hit like a missile. Turner and his Falcons will move to District 24-3A this season.

Kenny Vaccaro, Brownwood (6-2, 185)

Vaccaro was an All-District selection for the Lions in 16-4A. Brownwood moves to 3A this season, and Vaccaro returns from a stellar junior campaign. Vaccaro recorded 103 tackles and four interceptions last season. Vaccaro is verbally committed to the University of Texas.

Colton Valencia, Fort Bend Hightower (5-11, 175)

Valencia earned All-District honors in 23-5A as a junior in 2007. Valencia, a Texas A&M commit, picked off five passes last season for the Hurricanes. Valencia also added 89 tackles to his budding résumé.

Kendrick Washington, Brenham (5-9, 155)

Washington was a unanimous All-District selection in 18-4A. Washington also plays running back for the Cubs, rushing for a touchdown in 2007. Washington returned two kickoffs for scores last season to go along with his defensive performance. Kendrick’s brother Kendall is the starting quarterback for the Cubs.

Michael Williams, Flower Mound (6-2, 195)

Williams had a solid junior campaign in 2007. Along with an All-District selection in 6-5A, Williams was one of the defensive leaders for the Jaguars. Williams recorded 76 stops and two interceptions from his safety spot.

Steve Williams, Dallas Skyline (5-10, 160)

Skyline enters the 2008 season as one of the favorites in 9-5A, and Williams is a key reason why. Williams was an All-District pick in 11-5A before Skyline switched districts after recording 53 tackles and two interceptions last season. The University of Oklahoma commit had 10 pass break-ups for the Raiders as a junior.