Vote now: Who is the top returning defensive back in Florida for 2023?

Here are 20 players for your consideration

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best returning defensive backs in high school football for the 2023 season in the Sunshine State.

Our list includes some of the best in the country and players who proved to be invaluable to their teams last season in making clutch interceptions in crucial moments of the game and helping shut down the passing lanes of opposing offenses. 

There are plenty of worthy names on this list, so be sure to vote in our poll for who you think will be the top returning defensive back for the upcoming Florida high school football season. Voting will close on August 31, just in time for the start of the regular season. 

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

Cai Bates, Edgewater: Everyone is wondering where Bates will end up and they’ll know soon enough. Edgewater’s top defensive backfield member racked up four interceptions a year ago. Has narrowed his choices down to Florida State, LSU and Tennessee. 

Ellis Robinson IV, IMG Academy: Rangy and with the ability to shut down a team’s opposing wide receiver, Robinson IV has all the tools. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound cornerback is a Georgia Bulldogs’ commitment. 

Cameron Keys, Mosley: Keys committed to Missouri this summer and is coming back as one of the top players in Panama City. The Mosley defensive back notched 26 tackles and two interceptions in 2022. 

Jamari Howard, Miami Central: Played at Hialeah Westland last season and will be one of the Rockets’ top players on defense. Howard totaled 33 tackles and an interception last season. 

Amari Wallace, Miami Central: While Howard locks it down at corner, Wallace monitors the deep ball at safety. The Rockets’ safety is being courted by a number of schools, including Alabama, Auburn and Colorado. 

Charles Lester III, Venice: Lester III transferred from Sarasota Riverview to Venice during the offseason and adds a lockdown corner to John Peacock’s defense. The cornerback is set to choose between Florida State and Colorado at the end of the month. 

Jon Mitchell, Mandarin: When Mitchell’s high school days are over, he will be headed to Happy Valley to play for James Franklin. In 2022, Mitchell for Mustangs totaled 37 tackles and an interception at cornerback. 

Ivan Taylor, West Orange: Taylor is coming off a very impressive sophomore season in which the defensive back totaled 65 tackles and three interceptions for the Warriors. 

Zaquan Patterson, Chaminade-Madonna: Patterson was the leader of the secondary for the Class 1M state champions and returns this fall as one of the state’s best. Last season, Patterson had 69 tackles and multiple interceptions. 

Chris Ewald, Chaminade-Madonna: Ewald joins Patterson in what is a loaded Lions’ secondary on the back end. The cornerback is a Michigan commitment and also had offers from Alabama, Notre Dame and USC. 

DJ Pickett, Zephyrhills: The Zephyrhills safety comes into the season as one of the best around. Pickett racked up 39 tackles and four interceptions in 2022. Has a bevy of offers on the table, including Alabama, Michigan and Ohio State.  

Tavoy Feagin, Carrollwood Day: Feagin decided last fall he would be heading to Clemson and the Patriots’ star cornerback returns for what should be a strong 2023 campaign. Also runs track for Carrollwood Day. 

Zavier Mincey, Mainland: Playing on a very talented Mainland defense, Mincey provided a safety net on the back end. Mincey notched 38 tackles, three picks and forced two fumbles for the Buccaneers. 

Jaylen Heyward, Rockledge: One of the east coast’s top defenders, Heyward brings plenty of pop from the safety position. Heyward racked up 44 tackles and two picks on defense and also rushed for over 300 on offense. Not too shabby. 

Jordan Pride, Blountstown: Already committed to Texas A&M, Pride returns to a Tigers’ defense that also features Artavius Jones, a Miami (FL) commit. Pride in 2022 had 20 tackles, two interceptions in seven games. 

Brandon Jacob, Evans: Jacob recently committed to Maryland and is in line for another big season for the Trojans this fall. Last year for Evans, Jacob had 69 tackles and five interceptions. 

Jameer Grimsely, Tampa Catholic: The Alabama commitment comes over from Bloomingdale via transfer. He joins a super-talented Crusaders’ defense after playing both ways in 2022. 

Tony Williams, Palm Beach Central: Williams is a two-sport star at Palm Beach Central, also running track, and is one of Palm Beach County’s most coveted players. The defensive back has offers from Florida State, Penn State and USC. 

Rukeem Stroud, Tampa Bay Tech: As one of the top cornerbacks in all of the Tampa Bay Area, Stroud helps lead a talented Titans’ secondary. Stroud is looking at schools like Michigan State, Ole Miss and Penn State when it comes to playing at the next level. 

Antonio Branch Jr., Booker T. Washington: The Tornadoes’ defensive back is versatile and can play cornerback or safety. A number of schools are on the recruiting trail for Branch Jr., including Auburn, Florida State and Miami (FL). 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.