With the start of another high school football season just over one month away, The Enquirer is once again ranking the best players by position in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.
Defensive backs and safeties make their home beyond the line of scrimmage. They live for the interceptions, the pass break-ups, and the celebrations that come with. A total of 11 defensive backs were named to the all-state first team for their respective division, and this year’s talent pool is just as deep.
Here are the top 10 defensive backs in Greater Cincinnati, listed in alphabetical order.
At the end of the story, remember to vote for the top defensive back in the city. Voting will end at 4 p.m. on _____, July __.
Ace Alston, Anderson
He saw action in all 15 games of his freshman season and is already one of the top players in Ohio for the class of 2027. Alston already has 15 Division I offers, including Arkansas, Illinois, Purdue, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Last year, he recorded one interception and broke up 11 passes. He is already showing the signs of a lockdown corner just one year into his high school career.
Kendall Buck-Barber, Newport
Kendall and his older brother Khalil were a fantastic tandem for the Wildcats last year. Now that Khalil has graduated, Kendall can take center stage as a junior.
He was second in Class 1A in 2023 with seven interceptions. His one return for a touchdown was the eventual game-winner in a regular season win over Ludlow. He also found the end zone throughout the season on a fumble return, a punt return and a kickoff return.
James Cusick, Beechwood
The Tigers will have one of the most potent passing offenses in the state this year. Cusick is one of four receivers that is also a skilled defensive back and will limit their opponents’ aerial attacks.
He grabbed three interceptions last year as Beechwood’s defense held eight opponents to less than 10 points. The one thing the secondary didn’t do last year was return an interception for a touchdown. They may not need to with how much the offense scores, but that unit certainly has the athletes to do so.
Cash Harney, Covington Catholic
After transferring from Beechwood, Harney made an immediate impact for the Colonels. He led the team with five interceptions and heard his name called every time he stepped on the field.
He returned an interception for a touchdown in a comeback win over Highlands, then forced the game-ending incompletion against Beechwood in another comeback effort to keep CovCath’s undefeated regular season alive. He is a hard-nosed kid who makes the high-effort, game-changing plays.
Finn Mason, Lakota West
The Mason twins may be the fastest siblings in Greater Cincinnati.
Rece ran a leg of Lakota West’s state championship 4×100-meter relay this past June. Finn led the Greater Miami Conference with five interceptions. All of those turnovers came in the final six games of the season, helping the Firebirds recover from an 0-2 start to reach their fourth straight regional championship.
If Finn can put up consistent production across the entire season, West should be in good position to make another deep postseason run.
Carson Pieczonka, East Central
The do-it-all corner is back for one more season to lead the Trojans on another deep postseason run.
Last year, Pieczonka led East Central with five interceptions while also recording 52 tackles and a sack. He will be looking to pick up where he left off in 2023. He grabbed two interceptions in the state championship game to help the Trojans capture back-to-back titles.
Micah Rice, Moeller
Rice is an incredibly athletic option in the secondary for the Crusaders.
Of the seven Moeller players that grabbed multiple interceptions in 2023, only three are returning as seniors. In his first season on varsity, Rice contributed three interceptions, the first of which was an acrobatic effort in a win over St. Ignatius.
The Louisville commit can track down passes with the best cornerbacks in the city, frustrating receivers week in and week out.
Donmiel Rogers, Winton Woods
The senior is a valued member of the Warriors defense because of his abilities in all areas of the field. He currently has offers from Boston College, Georgia Tech, Kent State, Marshall, Massachusetts, Toledo and West Virginia.
Rogers led Winton Woods in 2023 with 41 tackles. He recorded three interceptions, all within the first four games of the season. He also forced three fumbles, and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown in the first round of the playoffs.
Jayonn Saunders, Anderson
The Raptors could have one of the pass defenses in Southwest Ohio this season as Saunders teams up with Ace Alston. Anderson allowed 175.5 passing yards per game and recorded 15 interceptions in 2023; Saunders will certainly bolster those numbers.
In three years at Purcell Marian, Saunders set the school record with 19 interceptions. He recorded four games with…
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