Top 20 defensive backs in Alabama high school football

From Hillcrest's Travaris Banks to Theodore's Cameron Pruitt, Alabama is loaded with talent in the defensive secondary

SBLive is taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Alabama high school football. This list focuses on the defensive backs.

There are hundreds of standout football players in Alabama, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

You can discuss the other defensive backs worthy of fans’ attention in 2023 by connecting with us on Facebook at @SBLiveAL or by emailing tyler@scorebooklive.com.

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TOP 20 DEFENSIVE BACKS IN ALABAMA

Travaris Banks, sr., Hillcrest

Banks stars on both sides of the ball for Hillcrest, but the four-star Ole Miss commit will play in the defensive backfield at the next level. He had 42 total tackles and nine touchdowns playing for Northridge last season. 

Jywon Boyd, sr., Charles Henderson

Boyd is another two-way standout who had three interceptions through Charles Henderson’s first four games of this season. The three-star prospect committed to his hometown Troy Trojans over the summer. 

Keion Dunlap, sr., Enterprise

A senior with plenty of speed, Dunlap recently recorded a max speed of 21.85 miles per hour, one of the fastest times in the South this season. Dunlap, a three-star recruit, is committed to Indiana. 

Anquon Fegans, jr., Thompson

Fegans notched nine interceptions and 67 total tackles last season as Thompson captured its fourth straight Class 7A state title. The four-star junior holds more than 30 Division I offers. 

Jay Harper, sr., Valley

Harper recorded 48 total tackles and three interceptions during his junior season for Valley. The three-star cornerback committed to Wisconsin in June. 

Michael Igbinoghene, jr., Hewitt-Trussville

Igbinoghene, a 247Sports composite four-star recruit, is a lockdown corner who holds offers from Arkansas, Florida State and UCF. He is the younger brother of Dallas Cowboys defensive back Noah Igbinoghene, a former Auburn standout. 

Xavier Johnson, sr., Muscle Shoals

Xavier Johnson (No. 11) / Photo by Joe Boyd

Johnson has plenty of speed to shadow the state’s fastest receivers and plays with surprising physicality for his 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame. He was a Class 6A first-team all-state selection last season. 

Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., sr., Gadsden City

The son of former NFL cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, Kirkpatrick Jr. had 69 total tackles, three interceptions and 16 pass breakups last year. The three-star recruit will follow in his father’s footsteps and play for Alabama in college. 

A’Mon Lane, sr., Moody

A four-star cornerback prospect, Lane has been committed to Auburn for more than a year. He underwent knee surgery in mid-September and could return to the field in time for the Class 5A state playoffs. 

Julius Lane Jr., jr., Pike Road

Lane Jr. isn’t the biggest cornerback at 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds, but the junior plays tight coverage and has excellent ball skills. The three-star recruit holds double-digit offers including Mississippi State and West Virginia. 

Jayden Lewis, sr., Anniston

Lewis is a four-star corner who will play alongside A’Mon Lane in college for Auburn. Lewis is also a track star who captured gold medals in the 100 (10.72 seconds) and 200 (21.89) meters at last spring’s Class 4A state championships.

Tevis Metcalf, sr., Clay-Chalkville

The younger brother of Arkansas standout TJ Metcalf and the cousin of Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf, Tevis Metcalf is also a playmaker on the football field. He is set to go play with his brother for the Razorbacks next season. 

Rydarrius Morgan, sr., Central-Phenix City

Morgan is an explosive athlete who returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown in a recent victory over Opelika. The 247Sports composite four-star recruit committed to Alabama in August. 

Na’eem Offord, jr., Parker

A five-star prospect, Offord is the nation’s No. 1 junior cornerback in the 247Sports rankings. He is a two-way standout for Parker who also is a track sprinter. 

Zay Parrish, sr., Prattville

Parrish gets it done at wide receiver and defensive back for Class 7A Prattville. As a junior, Parrish was voted second-team all-state on defense.

Cameron Pruitt, sr., Theodore

Pruitt has the size to play linebacker and the speed to excel at safety for Theodore. As a junior, the four-star Miami commit recorded 99 total tackles (15 for loss), an interception and three forced fumbles. 

Javon Rogers, sr., Montevallo

Rogers plays both ways for Montevallo, but the senior will likely be ticketed for defense in college. He is a three-star prospect with double-digit Division I offers. 

Ronnie Royal III, sr., Gulf Shores

Ronnie Royal poses for a photo with South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack during an official visit / Twitter (@Ronnie_Royal3x)

Royal III recently had a 78-yard interception return for a touchdown in a victory over UMS-Wright Prep. The two-way standout is a four-star prospect who committed to NC State in June. 

Damian Thompson, sr., Mars Hill

Thompson is a standout in the defensive secondary, the kick return game and at wide receiver for Mars Hill. A 247Sports composite four-star recruit, Thompson’s offers include Georgia, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. 

Shemar Welch, sr., McGill Toolen

Welch returned two interceptions for touchdowns during McGill Toolen’s first three games of this season. The three-star corner is committed to Louisiana.