Louisiana high school football: Here are the top defensive backs for the 2023 season
LSU makes the claim to be "DBU," and the bulk of the players in the secondary who wear the Purple and Gold played high school football right here in the Pelican State.
There are only so many spots available to play defensive back at the state's flagship university, which means that colleges from every corner of the country descend upon Louisiana to try to lure talent to their schools.
Keep reading to meet the state's top defensive backs. Players are listed in random order.
Louisiana's Top Players To Watch in 2023
Quarterbacks | Receivers/Tight Ends | Running Backs | Offensive Linemen | Defensive Linemen | Linebackers
Tylen Singleton, 6-2, 200, Sr., Many
The LSU commit could just as easily warrant a mention as a top linebacker. He plays in the secondary in high school, but is expected to bulk up and move closer to the line of scrimmage once he gets to Baton Rouge.
Singleton and Tackett Curtis (now at USC) were part of one of the state's best defenses in any classification last year, which culminated in a Division III non-select state championship for Class 2A Many. Singleton had one of the more impressive video clips from the Superdome, chasing down Union Parish tailback Trey Holly (now at LSU) from behind and finishing the play with a jarring tackle.
Singleton is ranked by Rivals as a four-star safety, the No. 3 player in Louisiana, the No. 8 safety and the No. 106 player in the nation.
Wardell Mack, 6-1, 175, Sr., John Ehret
Mack initially committed to the University of Florida, but recently flipped to Texas, which was also pursuing him along with LSU. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine ranks Mack as a four-star prospect, the No. 3 player in Louisiana, the No. 5 safety and the No. 53 player in the nation.
He is a mainstay on the offensive side of the ball, too, having compiled over 1,000 yards during his sophomore and junior campaigns for John Ehret. Mack has the desired height for a cornerback along with arms that measure 33 inches in length.
Da'Shawn McBryde, 6-2, 200, Sr., Denham Springs
McBryde brings the heavy lumber as a plus-sized safety. The LSU commit is ranked as a four-star prospect, the No. 2 player in Louisiana, the No. 3 safety and the No. 46 overall player by 247Sports.
McBryde plays free safety and receiver for Denham Springs and was averaging 35.8 yards per catch through Week 4. He set a new school single-season record with nine interceptions in 2022.
Joel Rogers, 6-1, 185, Sr., West Feliciana
Rogers plays quarterback for West Feliciana, which went 13-1 and reached the Division II non-select semifinals in 2022. The LSU commit is ranked as a four-star prospect, the No. 5 player in Louisiana, the No. 19 safety and the overall No. 196 player by ESPN.
Rogers was named WAFB Sportsline Player of the Week on Oct.11 for his performance in a 14-13 district win over St. Michael. Rogers rushed for 157 yards on 17 carries as the Saints rallied from a 13-0 halftime deficit.
Ju'Juan Johnson, 5-11, 180, Sr., Lafayette Christian
Johnson is ranked as a four-star prospect, the No. 6 player in Louisiana, the No. 24 cornerback and the overall No. 220 player by ESPN. He'll move to defense at LSU, but he's on track to break the all-time state yardage record and the state career record for touchdowns as the Knights' quarterback.
Wallace Foster IV, 5-9, 170, Sr., Warren Easton
Foster helped the Eagles achieve impressive wins over Ruston and Catholic-Baton Rouge. The LSU commit is ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 22 player in Louisiana by On3. The cornerback returned to the field this season after tearing his ACL as a junior.
Dylan Day, 5-11, 165, Sr., Southern Lab
Day, a University of Miami commit, intercepted four passes in his team's first three games this year. Day is ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 17 player in Louisiana by Rivals. He is projected as a cornerback by Rivals and a safety by On3.
Bernard Causey, 6-0, 170, Sr., John F. Kennedy
Causey is a big reason why the Cougars have one of the state's stingiest defenses. The LSU cornerback commit leads a unit that has posted five shutouts. Causey is ranked as a three-star recruit and the No. 23 player in Louisiana by 247Sports. LSU flipped his commitment from Ole Miss.
Marcus Dawson, 6-2, 185, Sr., University Lab
On3 ranks Dawson as a three-star prospect and the No. 31 player in Louisiana. He is projected as a safety and holds offers from Texas-San Antonio, Texas State, Louisiana-Monroe and Grambling State. As a junior, Dawson intercepted Newman quarterback Arch Manning and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown in a 49-13 quarterfinal win.
Jaboree Antoine, 6-2, 180, Jr., Westgate
We listed Antoine in our top quarterbacks article because he has played that position at a high level for the Class 4A powerhouse Tigers. His natural position is in the secondary.
Rivals projects Antoine as a safety, while On3 and 247Sports project him as a cornerback. He is a five-star prospect, the No. 2 player in Louisiana, the No. 5 cornerback and the No. 24 overall player, according to the 247Sports Composite. Antoine suffered a broken collarbone earlier in the season vs. Calvary Baptist.
He has made recent trips to LSU, Tennessee and Texas. The Longhorns could be a factor in his recruitment based on the success his former Westgate teammate, Derek Wlliams, is having in the secondary there. His teammate, DL D'Myrion Johnson, is committed to LSU.
Anthony Robinson, 6-0, 190, Sr., Destrehan
An Ole Miss commit, Robinson is ranked as a three-star prospect, the No. 11 player in Louisiana and the No. 26 safety by 247Sports. As a junior, he collected 87 tackles, two interceptions and 13 passes broken up for the Division I non-select state champions. He also plays offense for the undefeated Wildcats.
Tre Fuller, 6-2, 180, Jr., Captain Shreve
Fuller has led the Gators to a 9-1 regular-season record and the No. 2 seed in Division I select. The junior has an interception to go along with 19 solo tackles and 17 assists. Rivals rates him as a four-star prospect, the No. 8 player in Louisiana, the No. 13 safety and the No. 238 overall player.
Lennis Finister, 6-1, 165, Jr., Archbishop Rummel
Rivals ranks Finister as a four-star prospect, the No. 6 player in Louisiana, the No. 21 cornerback and the No. 185 overall player. Arkansas and Mississippi State have offered the junior, who led Rummel to wins over University Lab and John Curtis Christian.
Aiden Hall, 6-2, 170, So., Edna Karr
The On3 Industry Ranking pegs Hall as a four-star prospect, the No. 6 player in Louisiana, the No. 9 safety and the No. 66 overall player. He is a big hitter for one of the state's top defenses.
Blaine Bradford, 6-1, 195, So., Catholic-Baton Rouge
Bradford is listed as a four-star prospect, the No. 2 player in Louisiana, the No. 1 safety and the no. 5 overall player per the On3 Industry Ranking. Nine Power Five programs had already extended offers by the end of Bradford's freshman season.
Chantz Babineaux, 6-0, 185, So., Carencro
Babineaux is the perfect example of a player who fits the "athlete" designation. He set school records at Carencro as a freshman receiver and is breaking more records this season as the Bears' quarterback.
Michigan, Tulane, UTSA and Louisiana-Monroe have offered Babineaux, who may project as a safety. He plays some spot DB for the Bears. At quarterback, he is having the best season in school history.
Joni Martin, 5-10, 170, Sr., Carencro
Martin recently intercepted his ninth career pass and is a two-time first-team all-district selection. He has pulled double-duty for the Bears, racking up 172 yards on 22 carries with three touchdowns and catching 14 passes for 412 yards and two TDs.
Julius Burns, 6-2, 190, So., Neville
Burns is a safety with intriguing size for a young player. Arkansas has already extended an offer. He is an integral part of one of the state's top defenses. The unit has allowed 15 or fewer points to seven opponents. Neville was the No. 2 seed in Division I non-select.
Ty Lee, 6-1, 185, Sr., Lafayette Christian
Lee has 23 solo tackles, 38 assists, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception through 10 games., He was an all-state selection as a junior for the Division II select state runner-up and is projected as a cornerback. Lee intercepted a pass, broke up 16 passes and recorded 54 solo tackles in 2022.
Richard Wilson Jr., 5-10, 155, Jr., Wossman
Wilson intercepted three passes and returned one for a TD in a win over Northwood-Shreveport. He also returned a kick 81 yards in that game for Wossman, which held the No. 6 seed in Division II non-select.
Kyle Williams, 6-0, 175, Sr., Northshore
247Sports rates Williams as a three-star prospect and the No. 36 player in Louisiana. The cornerback committed to Marshall University on August 1. He led the No. 25 Panthers to a 9-7 win at No. 8 West Monroe in the Division I non-select playoffs.
Christian Pritchett, 6-3, 175, Sr., St. Augustine
The Georgia Tech commit is ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 32 player in Louisiana by ESPN. He committed to Georgia Tech over offers from Arkansas, Nebraska, Duke, Indiana and others.
Raiyen Oatis, 6-0, 170, Sr., Donaldsonville
On3 ranks Oatis as a three-star prospect and the No. 51 player in Louisiana. The cornerback is committed to Southeastern Louisiana.
Charles Gurley III, 6-1, 170, Sr., St. Augustine
247Sports ranks the South Alabama cornerback commit as a three-star prospect and the No. 50 player in Louisiana.
Maison Vorise, 5-11, 170, Sr., Denham Springs
Vorise was a first-team all-district selection as a junior. He intercepted two passes and returned a punt for a touchdown and reported an offer from Mississippi State in June 2022. The cornerback has continued his stellar special teams play this year, returning a kick for a touchdown in a Week 4 win over Franklinton.
Tony Burns, 6-2, 175, Sr., University Lab
Burns is ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 69 player in Louisiana by On3. He is the younger brother of LSU defensive back Major Burns and is projected as a safety.
Camaro Mayo, 5-10, 160, Jr., Parkway
Mayo committed to Louisiana Tech over offers from Nebraska, Mississippi State, Louisiana-Monroe and Grambling State. He has led Parkway to a 7-1 record this season and is ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 22 player in Louisiana by On3.
Caleb Ricks, 6-2, 195, Jr., St. Amant
The Gators have rolled to a 7-1 record behind a stout defense led by Ricks, the younger brother of NFL cornerback Eli Ricks. Caleb has been a turnover machine at cornerback and has shown the ability to turn an interception into six points.
Landon Sylvie, 5-11, 170, Sr., Calvary Baptist
The Southeast Missouri State commit has led Calvary Baptist to a 10-0 record by totaling 35 solo tackles, 46 assists, four tackles for loss, an interception, four fumble recoveries and a blocked punt.
Julius Moss, 5-9, 175, Jr., Calvary Baptist
Moss has enjoyed a breakout junior season, rushing for 145 yards on 16 carries with a TD, averaging 6.3 tackles per game and intercepting four passes. His interception return for a touchdown cemented the Cavaliers' win over Westgate.
Steven Ranel, 6-1, 180, Jr., Central-Baton Rouge
A ballhawk who has snared multiple interceptions this season while helping Central to a 5-3 record and near-upsets of Catholic-Baton Rouge and Zachary. He intercepted three passes in one game for 18th-seeded Central, which upset No. 15 East St. John in the Division I non-select playoffs.
Jacob Bradford, 6-1, 185, Jr., Catholic-Baton Rouge
The older brother of Blaine Bradford is also an excellent defensive back. He is projected as a cornerback by On3.
Aidan Anding, 5-11, 165, Jr., Ruston
The Bearcats are in the mix when it comes to the state's best defenses. Anding is a big part of that, having intercepted two passes when Ruston handed Lafayette Christian its first loss. Louisiana Tech has offered the cornerback.
Levi Darensbourg, 6-0, 170, Sr., Edna Karr
Toledo and Southern Miss are among the offers for Darensbourg, a shutdown cornerback for the No. 5 seed in Division I select.
Gavin Duplechin, 6-1, 175, Jr., St. Thomas More
Duplechin has intercepted three passes for the 10-0 Cougars, including a game-sealing pick in a 35-28 win over Catholic-Baton Rouge that avenged STM's only regular season loss in 2022.
Brent Gordon, 5-11, 175, Jr., Cecilia
The ball-hawking free safety plays both ways for the No. 2 seed in Division II non-select. Gordon has carried, caught the ball and even completed a pass for the 9-1 Bulldogs.
Tahj Judge, 5-10, 170, Sr., Abbeville
Judge is the top defensive back for the 9-2 Wildcats, who are the No. 13 seed in Division II non-select. He also plays quarterback at times and ran for a first down on fourth-and-long situations in the district championship and a first-round playoff win over Pearl River.
Erick Franklin Jr., 5-11, 185, Sr., Lake Charles College Prep
Franklin, who is rated as a three-star safety by On3, totaled 33 solo tackles and 30 assists through the first nine games for the No. 21 Trailblazers, who upset No. 12 Pope John Paul, 34-7, in the first round of the Division III select playoffs.
Ja'Corian Norris, 6-1, 185, Sr., Tioga
During the regular season, Norris accumulated 34 tackles with five interceptions (returning four for TDs), a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three kick returns for touchdowns.
Gylen Ford, 6-1, 195, Sr., Teurlings Catholic
Ford, who has unusual size for a cornerback, returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown in his team's District 4-4A win over Westgate. He's a big part of a defense that has held six opponents to 16 or fewer points.
Armani Cargo, 5-10, 170, Sr., John Ehret
Cargo is rated as a three-star prospect, the number 15 player in Louisiana, and the No. 38 cornerback in the nation by 247Sports. He committed to Tulane in June over offers from Marshall, Memphis, Texas Tech, Miami (Ohio) and others.
Cargo has 10.45 speed in the 100 meters with a 20.78 in the 200. He collected 25 tackles, four interceptions and broke up two passes for the Patriots, who reached the second round of the Division I select playoffs.
Katrevrick Banks, 6-3, 180, Sr., Homer
The Ole Miss safety commit is rated as a three-star prospect and No. 17 player in Louisiana by On3. He has led the Pelicans to a 9-3 record and a quarterfinal berth in the Division IV non-select playoffs.
During the regular season, Banks had two carries for 63 yards and a TD, 16 receptions for 293 yards and nine TDs, 33 solo tackles, seven assists, an interception and a sack.
Jay'Shaun Johnson, 6-0, 175, Sr., Franklin Senior
Johnson is rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 28 player in Louisiana by 247Sports. He recently de-committed from Texas-San Antonio. Mississippi State, Colorado State, Troy and Georgia Tech are among his scholarship offers.
Johnson was named SB Live Louisiana Athlete of Week earlier this season. He was named basketball MVP of District 8-2A and led the Hornets to a runner-up finish to North Central in Division IV non-select.
Darrius Davis, 6-0, 190, Sr., Archbishop Rummel
Davis is rated as a three-star safety and the No. 26 player in Louisiana by 247Sports. He is committed to Stanford and has helped the No. 18 Raiders to consecutive playoff upsets en route to an appearance in the Division I select quarterfinals. He has a 3.8 grade point average with several offers from lvy League programs.
Tre Brown, 5-11, 170, Sr., Edna Karr
Brown is rated as a three-star safety and the No. 56 player in Louisiana by On3. He has an impressive offer sheet that includes Ole Miss, Auburn and Arkansas, and has helped the Cougars to a quarterfinal appearance in the Division I select playoffs.
Javion White, 6-0, 180, Sr., Franklin Parish
White is ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 35 player in Louisiana by 247Sports. He caught 24 passes for 623 yards and six TDs and intercepted three passes with 98 return yards for the Patriots. White also returned a kick 78 yards while leading his team to a 7-4 record.
Photo of Many's Tylen Singleton by Parker Waters
-- Mike Coppage | @SBLiveLA
