2025 Preseason All-SEC Defensive Back Predictions

In today’s game, the two most important defenders are pass rushers and lockdown defensive backs. Sure, you want good linebackers and inside defensive linemen, but shutting down the opposing offense’s quarterback is a must.

We’ve already tackled the pass rushers in our Preseason All-SEC predictions series. Today, we’ll cover the best defensive backs in the SEC.

And, yes. There were a lot to pick from.

Here’s our prediction for what defensive backs will be named to the official Preseason All-SEC teams at next months media days. (Players appear alphabetically.)

Previous Preseason All-SEC Predictions

Running Backs
Linebackers
Defensive Line
Quarterbacks
Wide Receivers

2025 Preseason All-SEC DBs

First Team

Georgia defensive back Daylen Everette (6) celebrates with his teammates. | Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Daylen Everette, Georgia

2024 stats: 3 interceptions, 3 passes defended, 58 tackles (2 TFLs)

Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) celebrates after making a play. | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

2024 stats: 4 interceptions, 12 passes defended, 44 tackles (1 TFL)

Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) prevents a pass completion. — Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) prevents a pass completion to Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Malik McClain. | Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Malik Muhammad, Texas

2024 stats: 8 passes defended, 36 tackles (1 TFL)

Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Isaac Smith (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Isaac Smith, Mississippi State

2024 stats: 3 passes defended, 127 tackles (3 TFLs), 1 forced fumble

Second Team

Tennessee Volunteers running back Peyton Lewis (27) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back KJ Bolden (4). — Tennessee Volunteers running back Peyton Lewis (27) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back KJ Bolden (4) in the second quarter at Sanford Stadium. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

KJ Bolden, Georgia

2024 stats: 1 interception, 1 pass defended, 59 tackles (2 TFLs)

South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jalon Kilgore (24) breaks up a pass. — South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jalon Kilgore (24) breaks up a pass intended for Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. (3) in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina

2024 stats: 5 interceptions, 5 passes defended, 48 tackles (3 TFL)

Texas A&M defensive back Will Lee III (26) misses an interception intended for Texas Longhorns receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. (0) during the Lone Star Showdown at Kyle Field on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in College Station, Texas. | Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Will Lee III, Texas A&M

2024 stats: 2 interceptions, 10 passes defended, 42 tackles (1 TFL), 1 forced fumble

Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) poses with the trophy after a victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils. — Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) poses with the trophy after a victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Michael Taaffe, Texas

2024 stats: 2 interceptions, 10 passes defended, 78 tackles (5.5 TFLs)

Third Team

Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Brylan Lanier (3) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Brylan Lanier, Mississippi State

2024 stats: 1 interception, 53 tackles (2 TFLs)

Auburn Tigers defensive back Kayin Lee (4) breaks up a pass intended for Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Germie Bernard. — Auburn Tigers defensive back Kayin Lee (4) breaks up a pass intended for Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Alabama Crimson Tide leads Auburn Tigers 14-6 at halftime. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kayin Lee, Auburn

2024 stats: 2 interceptions, 7 passes defended, 32 tackles

Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Domani Jackson (1) intercepts the ball, securing their lead over the South Carolina. — Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Domani Jackson (1) intercepts the ball, securing their lead over the South Carolina Gamecocks during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. | Will McLelland-Imagn Images

Domani Jackson, Alabama

2024 stats: 2 interceptions, 7 passes defended, 52 tackles (2 TFLs), 1 FF

Florida Gators defensive back Dijon Johnson (27) intercepts the ball but was called back during the second half. — Florida Gators defensive back Dijon Johnson (27) intercepts the ball but was called back during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 23, 2024. | Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Dijon Johnson, Florida

2024 stats: 2 passes defended, 27 tackles (2 TFLs), 1 fumble recovery

Transfer Team

(Note: These are four defensive backs who transferred from a non-SEC school. Two of these players could very well end up on one of the three teams above.)

Utah Utes cornerback Cameron Calhoun (4) and Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) play for a ball. — Utah Utes cornerback Cameron Calhoun (4) and Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) play for a ball during the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Cameron Calhoun, Alabama (Utah)

2024 stats: 1 interception, 9 passes defended, 21 tackles (1 TFL)

Clemson Tigers wide receiver T.J. Moore (1) catches a pass against North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Brandon Cisse (2) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. | Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images

Brandon Cisse, South Carolina (NC State)

2024 stats: 5 passes defended, 28 tackles (1 TFL)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets tight end Jackson Hawes (85) runs the ball after a catch against Virginia Tech Hokies. — Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets tight end Jackson Hawes (85) runs the ball after a catch against Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) during the first quarter at Lane Stadium. | Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Mansoor Delane, LSU (Virginia Tech)

2024 stats: 4 interceptions, 7 passes defended, 54 tackles (2 TFL), 2 FF

South Alabama Jaguars cornerback Ricky Fletcher (6) celebrates over Oklahoma State Cowboys tight end Josiah Johnson (16). — South Alabama Jaguars cornerback Ricky Fletcher (6) celebrates over Oklahoma State Cowboys tight end Josiah Johnson (16) during an NCAA football game between Oklahoma State and South Alabama at Boone Pickens Stadium. South Alabama won 33-7. | Bryan Terry-Imagn Images

Ricky Fletcher, Ole Miss (South Alabama)

2024 stats: 12 passes defended, 38 tackles (1 TFL)