Here are 12 Columbus-area high school football defensive backs to watch this fall
Leading up to the high school football season, The Dispatch is taking a look at central Ohio’s top players by position.
Here are 12 defensive backs to watch this fall, in alphabetical order:
Caleb Anthony, Africentric
The 5-foot-8, 170-pound sophomore had a stellar freshman season, finishing with 63 tackles, including seven for loss, and six interceptions. He was named first-team all-state and all-district in Division V as well as first-team all-City League.
Braylon Beckwith, Canal Winchester
A 6-1, 175-pound senior, Beckwith recorded 111 tackles, eight interceptions and two forced fumbles last year. He set a single-game program record with four interceptions in a 13-10 win over Dublin Scioto. He was first-team all-state in Division II as well as Defensive Player of the Year in the district and OCC-Capital.
J.D. Catena, Ready
The 6-0, 155-pound senior was a key player for the Silver Knights a season ago, finishing with 60.5 tackles, 16 pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He was first-team all-district and honorable mention all-state in Division IV and first-team all-CCL. Ready is in its first season in the Central Buckeye League.
Zach Jones, London
A 6-1, 195-pound senior, Jones was first-team all-district and third-team all-state in Division III, along with first-team all-CBC-Kenton Trail last season. In nine games, Jones had 39 tackles and two interceptions. London shared the league title with Bellefontaine at 4-1.
Malik Kamara, Central Crossing
A 6-0, 195-pound senior safety, Kamara helped lead the Comets’ defense a season ago, finishing with 45.5 tackles and two interceptions. He was first-team all-district and third-team all-state in Division I, as well as first-team all-OCC-Buckeye.
Hayden Kline, Highland
The 5-10, 140-pound senior was first-team all-district and honorable mention all-state in Division V, along with first-team all-MOAC. He finished with 41 tackles, 14 pass breakups, four interceptions, one fumble recovery and one blocked punt.
A.J. Landon, Fairbanks
The 5-11, 175-pound senior finished last season with 71 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and five pass breakups. He was first-team all-district and third-team all-state in Division VI and first-team all-OHC-North.
Nadir Langston, Hamilton Township
The 5-11, 170-pound senior was a key member of the Rangers’ secondary last season, finishing with 63 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and two sacks. He was first-team all-district and honorable mention all-state in Division III and first-team all-MSL-Buckeye.
Jace Nincehelser, Groveport
The 5-11, 175-pound senior strong safety is coming off a stellar junior season in which he had 83 tackles, including nine for loss, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, one sack and one blocked punt. He was first-team all-district and all-OCC-Buckeye and second-team all-state in Division I.
Da’Shawn Simmons, Columbus South
A 6-2, 180-pound senior, Simmons helped lead the Bulldogs’ defense last year, finishing with 44 tackles, including 11 ½ for loss, 5 ½ sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He was first-team all-district and second-team all-state in Division III as well as first-team all-City League.
Logan Workman, Licking Valley
The 6-0, 165-pound senior was named first-team all-district and honorable mention all-state in Division IV, along with first-team all-LCL. He recorded 57 tackles and blocked one field goal.
Mario Williams, Westerville Central
The 5-11, 170-pound senior was a key member of the Warhawks’ defense last season, recording 79 tackles, five pass breakups and two interceptions. He was first-team all-OCC-Ohio and second-team all-district in Division I.
@DispatchFrank
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 12 central Ohio high school defensive backs to watch this fall
