Previewing the 2023 high school football season: Ellis Robinson IV, Kaleb Beasley headline top 10 defensive backs

Marcelles Williams of St. John Bosco, Zabien Brown of Mater Dei both selected from Southern California's Trinity League.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Zack Poff
By
Jul 28, 2023, 9:45am
We've already checked out the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen and linebackers. In the final position-by-position breakdown previewing the 2023 high school football season we zone in on the defensive backs. 

Ellis Robinson IV of IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and Kaleb Beasley of Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tenn.) headline the selections. Robinson is the top-rated defensive back and fourth-rated recruit overall on 247Sports and Beasley was a MaxPreps Junior All-America first-team pick after intercepting nine passes.

Anquon Fegans of Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) leads the list of non-seniors after nine interceptions in 2022 and helping the Warriors win their fourth consecutive 7A state title. Devin Sanchez of North Shore (Houston) was the only other non-senior to crack the list.

California, Ohio and Texas tied for the most selections by state with two. Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee all had one.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Georgia | Class: Senior (2024)
Checks all the boxes as one of the most versatile defensive backs in the country. Headlines a very talented Ascenders squad that begins the season No. 4 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to Tennessee | Class: Senior (2024)
The top-rated player in the state is a lockdown corner who leads the way for a loaded Mustangs team that begins the year at No. 19 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Junior (2025)
The top-rated safety in the Class of 2025, according to 247Sports, has 11 interceptions over the last two years.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)
The five-star corner is also a big-time playmaker on offense. He accounted for 600-plus total yards and 11 touchdowns.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)
Checks in as the No. 1 safety in the Class of 2024 on 247Sports and was a second-team selection on the MaxPreps Junior All-America squad.

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2024)
Led the Tarblooders to a 15-0 record and the school's first state title in 2022. He didn't allow a touchdown reception and was named to the MaxPreps Junior All-America first-team squad.

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 185
Status: Committed to USC | Class: Senior (2024)
Helped the Braves finish last season as the No. 1 team in the final MaxPreps Top 25. The four-star corner intercepted two passes in a 45-0 shutout win over Serra (San Mateo) in the CIF Open Division state championship.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2025)
Checks in as the state's top-rated player on 247Sports composite rankings for the Class of 2025. Sanchez was a first-team selection on the MaxPreps Sophomore All-America squad.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 170
Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)
The state's top-rated prospect according to 247Sports. He shuts down one side of the field and will be making his college decision on July 30. It is down to Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180
Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Senior (2024)
The recent Crimson Tide pledge leads the way for one of the most talented secondaries in the nation. Brown and the Monarchs begin the season at No. 1 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

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