20 best defensive backs in the nation during the 2023 high school football regular season

These 20 secondary players have put up big stats this fall

From five-star talents to underrated up-and-comers, athletes across the country have blossomed over the course of the 2023 high school football regular season.

With the playoffs upon us in several states, SBLive Sports set out to find the best offensive and defensive players in the nation this fall. 

We already highlighted quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, defensive linemen/edge rushers and linebackers, and now it's the top defensive backs' turn. 

Here are 20 defensive backs who shut down receivers and terrorized quarterbacks during the 2023 high school football regular season.

Note: All stats are current through Oct. 9. 

Omillio Agard, sr., St. Joseph’s Prep (Pennsylvania)

Agard, a 247Sports composite four-star Wisconsin commit, has been arguably the top cover cornerback in Pennsylvania over the past two years. The senior has six pass breakups and two interceptions this season, returning one for a touchdown. 

Jeilani Davis, sr., Mater Dei (California)

Davis has eight career interceptions for Mater Dei, including four this season. The safety prospect will play college football in the Big 12 for Utah. 

Anquon Fegans, jr., Thompson (Alabama)

One of the nation’s top safety recruits, Fegans decommitted from USC back in August and is considering Alabama, Clemson and Georgia, among others. The four-star prospect has 36 total tackles this season and 12 career interceptions. 

Zion Green, jr., Christian Brothers Academy (New York)

Green is tied for the national lead in interceptions with 11. The junior ballhawk has also caused four fumbles. 

Kameryn Hurst, jr., Carson (California)

Hurst has averaged 25.6 return yards on his seven interceptions this season, including a 99-yard pick-six in a recent win over San Pedro. The junior has also run for 691 yards and nine touchdowns. 

Ricardo Jones, sr., Northside (Georgia)

Jones has 15 career interceptions for Northside, including three this fall. The four-star Clemson commit also averaged nearly 17 points per game on the basketball court as a junior. 

Tay Lockett, so., St. John Bosco (California)

A sophomore standout for St. John Bosco, Lockett has 28 total tackles and four interceptions this year. He committed to Arkansas in August. 

D’Mon Marable, sr., Clinton (Tennessee)

Marable is a hard-hitting senior safety with 118 total tackles (nine for loss) this season. The Purdue commit has also forced three fumbles with one interception. 

Jayden Mayberry, jr., Lone Peak (Utah)

A free safety with a nose for the ball, Mayberry has picked off 10 passes with four breakups as a junior. He is averaging 15.3 yards per interception return. 

Zac McLeay, sr., Creighton Prep (Nebraska)

Another physical safety, McLeay is averaging 18.1 tackles per game this fall with 127 total tackles. He has also broken up four passes with an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. 

Peyton Morgan, sr., Weiss (Texas)

Morgan picked off five passes apiece during his sophomore and junior seasons at Weiss and is already up to six this year. The four-star Texas Tech commit has also broken up six passes and is averaging more than six tackles per game. 

Mikey Munn, sr., Windsor (Colorado)

A three-sport athlete who also competes in basketball and track, Munn plays in all three phases for Windsor but really excels at free safety. He has seven interceptions this season and 10 for his career. 

Brandon Nicholson, sr., Memphis University (Tennessee)

Opposing quarterbacks have continued to test Nicholson this season, and the Stanford commit has made them pay. Nicholson has picked off eight passes and is up to 17 interceptions for his career, the most in Memphis University history. 

Zaquan Patterson, sr., Chaminade-Madonna (Florida)

Patterson has intercepted 10 passes during his time at Chaminade-Madonna, including four this fall with eight breakups. The four-star safety prospect committed to his hometown Miami Hurricanes in August. 

Jayonn Saunders, jr., Purcell Marian (Ohio)

Saunders’ future at the next level may be on the diamond, but the Purcell Marian junior is also a standout football player. He is averaging more than six tackles per game this season with seven interceptions. Saunders picked off nine passes as a sophomore. 

Tate Snyder, jr., North Medford (Oregon)

Snyder has been a breakout performer in the secondary for Class 6A upstart North Medford. The junior has picked off six passes this season, including a pair of two-interception games in wins over North Salem and Grants Pass. 

Cree Thomas, jr., Brophy College Prep (Arizona)

Thomas is a lockdown cover corner with three interceptions and three pass breakups as a junior. Thomas’ college suitors include Arizona, Arizona State, Notre Dame and Oregon. 

Jordan Thomas, so., Bergen Catholic (New Jersey)

Thomas has picked off three passes during his sophomore season for Bergen Catholic. Miami, Michigan and Penn State are among the schools after the four-star prospect. 

Adrian Walker Jr., jr., Belleville (Michigan)

Walker Jr. is a two-way standout for Belleville who gets it done at cornerback and wide receiver. He has played impeccable pass defense this year with two interceptions while also catching five touchdowns on offense. 

Tyson Weaver, sr., Eastside Catholic (Washington)

Weaver is a factor on offense, defense and special teams for Class 3A contender Eastside Catholic. The Washington State commit is an elite cover corner at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. 

(Zaquan Patterson photo by Matt Christopher)

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-- Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports