We are continuing our countdown to the 2026 high school football season with our players-to-watch list. Here is how they are being released:

Quarterbacks — https://powerstrengthpro.com/2026-quarterbacks-to-watch/

Running Backs — https://powerstrengthpro.com/running-backs-to-watch/

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends — https://powerstrengthpro.com/wide-receivers-tight-ends-to-watch/

Offensive/Defensive Linemen — https://powerstrengthpro.com/linemen-to-watch/

Linebackers — https://powerstrengthpro.com/linebackers-to-watch/

Defensive Backs — Tuesday, August 25

The secondary is where big plays get made — and broken up — and West Michigan has no shortage of talent lining up at defensive back this season.

Here are the defensive backs to keep an eye on this fall in the OK Conference and River Cities Alliance.

Major Barnes — East Kentwood (’27) A key piece of a talented East Kentwood secondary, Barnes is committed to play at Brown next year.

Will Baumbach — Byron Center (’27) A steady, reliable safety for the Bulldogs who enters his third season on Varsity.

McCoy Bertolini — Kenowa Hills (’27) A physical presence in the Knights’ secondary.

Cage Bush — Forest Hills Northern (’28) Bush really stepped up last season as a sophomore when the Huskies suffered some major injuries.

Brody Cardenas — Rockford (’28) Part of a deep, experienced Rockford secondary that opposing offenses have to account for.

Graeme Crooks — Hudsonville (’27) Will surprise some after dealing with injuries in 2025, Crooks is an explosive athlete who can contribute in a variety of ways for the Eagles.

Jack Edwards — Forest Hills Northern (’27) A key returner for the Huskies at defensive back.

Ben Geerdes — Caledonia (’27) A physical, instinctive safety for the Fighting Scots.

Julius Hall — Holland (’28) An emerging name in the Dutch secondary.

Brady Hansen — Fruitport (’27) A steady tackler at safety for the Trojans.

Kenneth Harris — East Kentwood (’28) Another talented piece of East Kentwood’s deep defensive backfield, Harris has a Power 4 offer from Louisville.

Conner Henshaw — Rockford (’28) Competing hard in Rockford’s talented, experienced secondary this fall.

Crue Husiman — Lowell (’28) Was a major contributor as a Sophomore in 2025 at both receiver and safety.

Ben Jackson — South Christian (’28) Started for the Sailors at corner as a Sophomore last season and has gotten faster and stronger in the off-season.

Ja’Mier Jefferson — Muskegon (’27) A real playmaker in the Muskegon secondary wich has a strong track record of college production.

Donovan Jones — East Kentwood (’27) One of the top returners for a very good East Kentwood team, Jones is committed to GVSU.

Bryce Karsies — Rockford (’28) Another name to know in Rockford’s talented defensive backfield.

Will Kemmerer — NorthPointe Christian (’27) A ball-hawking presence for the Mustangs.

Connor McManus — Reeths-Puffer (’27) A steady, reliable defender at safety. He also plays receiver for the Rockets.

Bryce Miller — Rockford (’27) An athletic and skilled player primed for a breakout season in the Rams secondary.

Logan Nash — Zeeland West (’27) A consistent presence at corner for the Dux.

Austin Nelson — East Kentwood (’28) Another EK Junior corner who is all over the recruiting boards with 6 Power 4 offers so far.

Evan Palmer — Coopersville (’29) A Sophomore already earning Varsity reps in the Broncos secondary — one to watch for years to come.

Cole Piper — Mona Shores (’28) Started at corner since he was a Freshman at Reeth-Puffer. Now a Junior, Piper has made the move to Mona Shores.

Gibson Putnam — East Grand Rapids (’27) A starter at safety, Putnam returns to lead the Pioneers secondary.

Casron Schick — Forest Hills Central (’27) A lockdown cover corner for the Rangers.

Will Skinner — Coopersville (’29) A young, physical talent already making his presence felt for the Broncos.

Tyler Simon — Belding (’27) A steady tackler and leader in the Black Knights secondary.

Max Smies — Spring Lake (’28) An emerging name, Smies was a Sophomore starter in the Lakers defensive backfield last Fall.

Braydon Smigel — Hopkins (’27) A physical presence for the Vikings on the back end.

Zyion Smith — Allendale (’27) A ball-hawking safety, the Falcons will rely on Smith to contribute on both sides of the ball in 2026.

Ty Strick — Hudsonville (’27) Rare speed and athleticism combo makes Strick stand out. He is committed to play at GVSU next year.

Sawyer Stuyfzand — Hudsonville (’27) Gives the Eagles experience and physicality in the defensive backfield.

Grayson Tidd — GR Catholic Central (’28) Enters his third season starting at corner for the Cougars as a Junior. He holds offers from Boston College, Iowa, and Kansas, among others.

JC Tornes — Mona Shores (’27) Will be a three-year starter for a Mona Shores secondary with a track record of college-level production.

Trey VanderWal — Grand Haven (’27) A steady, physical presence for the Buccaneers.

This is just a glimpse of the defensive back talent across West Michigan heading into the season — with this many experienced returners and rising underclassmen, expect more than a few highlight-reel plays across the region all Fall long.

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