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SBLive's Michigan high school football preseason 2023 All-State teams
Let’s take a closer look at some of the top returning defensive back in high school football for the 2023 season in Michigan.
Plenty of worthy names are on this list, so be sure to read through the nominees and vote in our poll for who you think will be the top defensive for the upcoming season.
Voting will close on August 31 at 11:59 p.m.
Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player who may not be mentioned in our poll.
If you are a coach and you'd like to add a nominee before the poll closes, please email butler@scorebooklive.com.
Jacob Oden, senior, Harper Woods
Oden is the state’s top-ranked defensive back in the class of 2024 and the fifth player overall, according to 247Sports. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound safety is the nation’s No. 217 player and committed to Michigan in early February.
Oden was a Division II first team all-state player in 2022 — one of three juniors to make it on the defensive side of the ball. Oden has shown immense ability both in coverage and in run support throughout his three-year career.
Jamir Benjamin, senior, West Bloomfield
Benjamin is a UCLA commit and a 3-star cornerback, according to 247Sports. A three-year varsity starter who also plays receiver, he was previously committed to both Stanford and Northwestern, but changed his plans amid coaching turnover.
West Bloomfield coach Zachary Hilbers described Benjamin as a “lockdown corner that always draws the opponent's best player,” calling him “ultra competitive” and an “exceptional leader.” Benjamin was named to the Division I all-state first team last season.
Photo by Mario Nowak
Desman Stephens Jr., senior, Clarkston
Stephens, a 3-star recruit, is the No. 17 player in the 2024 class. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Stephens Jr. has played a multitude of positions in his career, but has settled in nicely as defensive back where he was named to the Division I first team all-state in 2022.
Stephens is a Boston College commit.
Corey Sadler, sophomore, Cass Tech
Sadler was recently ranked as the No. 21 player in the country in the class of 2026, which makes him the top sophomore in Michigan. He's a playmaker on both sides of the ball, and he will be the Technicians' quarterback in 2023.
Photo by Mario Nowak
Damon Powers, senior, Glenn
Powers joined both Benjamin and Stephens Jr. as junior defensive backs on the Division I all-state first team last year. While he has yet to attract the same recruiting focus, that could soon follow if he produces another all-state caliber season in 2023.
Powers is Glenn’s top player, popping offensively at the running back position, too. He’s been integral in helping slowly turn around a program that hasn’t had a winning season in nine years.
Jalen Todd, senior, Southfield A&T
Todd is the state’s No. 12 recruit in the 2024 class. The 3-star committed to Kansas in late June. The 6-foot, 185-pound defensive back also runs track for Southfield.
As a junior, he ran a 11.58 in the 100-meter dash, while competing in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays this past spring.
Kandakai Sherman, senior, De La Salle Collegiate
A two-year starter at strong safety, Sherman brings an athletic punch to De La Salle’s secondary. But despite the force with which he plays, coach Dan Rohn said he’s “athletic enough to run with most slot receivers.”
Sherman has offers from most of the Ivy League as well as a host of Division II programs.
Isaiah Jone, junior, De La Salle Collegiate
Jone was another pivotal player in a secondary that helped make De La Salle’s defense stout last season. At 6-foot, 170 pounds, Jone brings great size at the cornerback position and the durability needed to play, and start, in every game last season.
Rohn said Jone “loves” to play man-to-man and continues to improve his speed and agility as he enters the back half of his high school career.
Ja’Hion Bond, senior, Fenton
Bond was one of two juniors to be named to the Division III all-state first team defense. He was a key member of a Tigers team that went 8-3 and a defense that held their opposition to an average of 17.3 points per game.
In addition to his work as a lockdown defensive back, Bond has seen time at wideout.
Kam Lloyd, senior, Detroit Catholic Central
Lloyd is a team captain and three-year starter with significant Division I and II interest, including Ivy League schools.
Coach Justin Cessante called him a “physical football player.” Lloyd operates at strong safety, where he “tackles very well in space and is physical in man-to-man coverage.”
Ty Hudkins, senior, Forest Hills Central
The Rangers were one of the top teams in the state last season, orchestrating a near-perfect 13-1 season and state title berth. Hudkins is the top player in the team’s 2024 class.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound, safety is the state’s No. 18 2024 recruit and a 3-star who committed to Northwestern in late June.
Eli Craig, senior, Clarenceville
Craig plays all over the place for coach Marty Castellon, seeing time at defensive back as well as both punt and kick returner. In the backfield, at running back, he’s made his presence felt.
The 5-foot-9 Craig was one of the state’s top backs in 2022 and is being actively recruited by colleges. In the defensive backfield however, the cornerback was named to the Division IIII all-state first team defense.
“Any high school team would want him on their team,” Castellon said. “He is a playmaker.”
Daniel Duley, senior, Freeland
Duley joined Craig on the Division IIII all-state first team defense. He was one of three juniors to make the team. Duley was the top defensive back on a unit that allowed just 15.4 points per game in 2022, as the Falcons went 8-3.
He brings fantastic length to the defensive backfield at 6-foot-4, 185 pounds and plays wideout, too. He joined teammate and defensive lineman Sam Talaga on the all-state team.
Desmond Straughton, junior, Roseville
Straughton, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound, running back and safety is the No. 5 player in the state’s 2025 recruiting class. He’s the No. 17 athlete in the nation in 2025, too. Straughton has offers from Power Five programs such as Michigan State, Indiana, Arizona State and Kentucky.
He helped the Panthers to an 8-3 season in 2022.
Tyler Baker, senior, Mason
Baker was named all-state last season after a year which saw the wide receiver/defensive back tally 69 tackles, five for loss, five interceptions and a fumble recovery. Baker runs an impressive 4.45 second 40-yard dash which allows him to patrol the defensive backfield swiftly.
Baker has great size at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds.
Jon Jasionowski, senior, Franklin
Jasionowski, a 5-foot-10 defensive back, was voted to the Divison II first team all-state. He roamed the secondary for a stout Patriots defense that held their opposition to 14-or-fewer points in all but three outings during their 8-3 2022 season. Jasionowski is also a guard for the school’s basketball team.
Brian Booms, senior, Flat Rock
The four-year starter Booms “does everything for our team,” said coach Brandon Reaume.
Also an all-league and all-state running back, Booms was called the “quarterback” of the defense by Reaume.
Booms led the team in tackles and interceptions in what was an impeccable two-way season last year. Booms was named to the Division IIIII all-state first team defense.
Donovan Cummings, senior, Comstock Park
Cummings joined Booms as the only other junior to be named to the Division IIIII all-state first team offense. The Panthers went 4-6 in 2022, but Cummings was a bright spot with his lockdown nature on the defense’s backend. Cummings plays strong safety as well as wideout.
Jordan Davenport, sophomore, Clawson
Davenport has just one season under his belt, but his performance stood out enough to convince coach Steve Haney that the young defensive back/receiver has a bright future.
Davenport turned in 29 tackles, an interception and a pair of fumble recoveries as a freshman.
He returns this season as a starting cornerback.
“He's grown significantly and has gotten a lot faster and stronger,” Haney said. “He's a tough kid and competitive player who likes to hit.”
Hayden Stevens, senior, Clawson
Stevens, a free safety, quarterback and punter for Clawson, was voted first team all-conference last season. He ended the year with 46 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. He’s expected to be the leader of the secondary as he enters his final season.
“Hayden's value to the team is that he loves Clawson football as much or more than anyone and has been the most committed team member all off-season,” Haney said.
Rayshaun Hester, senior, Chippewa Valley
Hester will be a third-year starter at defensive back in 2023 for coach Scott Merchant. He totaled 37 tackles, a tackle for loss, seven pass breakups and two interceptions last season.
Hester holds an impressive list of offers including Air Force, Ball State, Akron, Army, Louisville, UMass, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Central Michigan, and others.
Cash Shaw, senior, Chippewa Valley
Shaw will be a second-year starter at both running back and defensive back this season. Last year on defense, alongside Hester, he put up 52 tackles, two tackles for loss, a pass breakup and an interception.
He holds offers from Davenport and Albion and should play a bigger role offensively this season, too.
Jaielen Peacock, junior, Troy
Peacock was an all-league player last season. A cornerback and wideout for coach Chris Frasier’s program, Peacock has been a starter on varsity since beginning high school. Last season, he led the team in interceptions.
Jamari Brown, senior, Buchanan
An all-conference and all-region cornerback, Brown gave up a mere four passes all of last season. Brown also led coach Mark Frey’s team in interceptions.
He should produce another high level season at defensive back in 2023 while looking to add to the offensive in a bigger role as a deep threat receiver this season, according to Frey.
JT Webber, senior, Grand Blanc
A first team all-league defensive back and three-year varsity starter, Webber is in store for a big senior season. At 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, he also operates in other positions, using his athleticism to his advantage.
Coach Kaleb Forr called him “dynamic with the ball in his hands,” touting his overall speed and elusiveness. Webber has multiple Division II offers.
Anthony Perdue, senior, Grand Blanc
Perdue’s found a home at defensive back, but his superior athletic abilities have allowed him to be a “jack of all trades” on both sides of the ball.
He’s 6-foot-3, 185 pounds and “can ultimately play any position on the field and be the best at it,” said Forr. Forr also described him as an excellent leader.
Wyatt Epple, senior, Watervliet
Epple, entering his fourth season on varsity, has been selected to all-conference and region teams and was an honorable mention all-state player.
He plays both sides of the ball at wide receiver and defensive back, doing so at a level which prompted coach Josh Tremblay to call him the team’s “all around best football player.” Epple is a captain and leader who “excels” in three sports.
Quincey Twymon, junior, Madison Heights Lamphere
A transfer from Brother Rice, 2023 will be Twymon’s first season with the Rams. Twymon is a true two-way player who can be found at both receiver and safety. Coach Raymond Ostrowski called him a “big-time playmaker” and expects a big year out of the newcomer as he’ll likely welcome in a slew of collegiate offers in the near future.
Amire Harris, senior, Detroit Denby
Coach Zachery Carr said his star defensive back, the 6-foot-1, 170 pounds Harris, has had a great offseason.
Coming off a standout junior campaign, Harris collected seven offers and is “considered one of the top guys in the state,” Carr said. “He’s primed and ready to have an outstanding senior year.”
Johnell Trice, senior, Detroit Denby
Trice helps round out a talented Tars secondary alongside Harris. Like Harris, he’s got excellent size for a defensive back at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds. His calling card, said Carr, is speed, “pure speed.” Trice has a pair of collegiate offers.
Elisee Kanda, senior, East Kentwood
Kanda was an all-conference and area player in 2022. A comeback/running back combo, Kanda is 6-foot, 205 pounds and “extremely physical,” coach Anthony Kimbrough said.
At running back, Kanda is a downhill runner with “good ball skills.” He using those same skills in the defensive secondary where he racked up 70 tackles last season and has “awesome cover skills.” Kanda has collected several Division II offers.
