From Caleb Anthony to Jonathan Stevens, The Dispatch has selected the best defensive backs for the 2024 Ohio high school football season in the Columbus area.
As players, coaches and fans countdown to the start of the high school football season next week, The Dispatch names the best players at every position in Central Ohio.
After writing about the best quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers/tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen and linebackers, it’s time to announce our picks for the best defensive backs to start the season.
A strong secondary, the last line of defense, is key to any team’s success. The players are some of the best athletes on the field, and three of the players on this list are standouts in the City League.
Here are the top 10 defensive backs in Central Ohio, according to The Dispatch, in alphabetical order:
Caleb Anthony, Africentric
Vital signs: 5 feet 8 inches, 165 pounds, Jr.
University offering: Miami University
The versatile Anthony should be a key factor in the Nubians’ success again this season. Last fall, he finished the season with 53 tackles, including 22 solo, eight interceptions, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal. He was the best defensive player in Division V, was named to the All-State and City South first team and helped Africentric (7-4) to a program record for wins.
Best Juniors: Here are the Columbus region’s top 25 for 2024
Marsean Bowles, East
Vital signs: 5-7, 155, sr.
The college offers: None
Bowles had 20 tackles, four interceptions — including one returned for a touchdown — one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as the Tigers went 8-3 last season. He was first-team All-City-North and All-District and received honorable mention All-State in Division IV.
Zach Corna, Upper Arlington
Vital signs: 6-0, 190, Sr.
The college offers: Bucknell and Indianapolis
Coach Justin Buttermore calls Corna one of the “most physical players” on the team who also has “great ball skills, instincts and transition in pass coverage.” Last season, Corna finished with 75 tackles, including four for loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He was first-team All-District and All-OCC-Central and second-team All-State in Division I as the Golden Bears (10-4) reached the Region 3 final.
Gabe Davis-Ray, Columbus Academy
Vital substances: 6-3, 185, jr.
The college offers: Akron, Bucknell, Miami University and Toledo
Coach Robin Miller considers Davis-Ray one of the most talented and versatile players in the program. Last season, he recorded 75 tackles, including 43 solo, four tackles for loss, three interceptions and a forced fumble. He added 700 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns and was named to the All-District and All-Central Buckeye League first team and third-team All-State in Division V as the Vikings went 10-2.
How to watch high school football in Ohio in 2024
Dawayne Galloway Jr., Marion Franklin
Vital substances: 6-0, 175, Sr.
College Involvement: Purdue
Galloway is also a standout in track and field, finishing last season with five interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He received more than 20 Division I offers before choosing Purdue. He was first-team All-State and All-District in Division IV last fall and first-team All-City South. In track and field, he finished second in Division II in the 100 meters this spring.
Best Seniors: Here are the Columbus region’s top 25 for 2024
Kaden Gebhardt, Olentangy
Vital signs: 6-2, 195, jr.
The college offers: Akron, Cincinnati, Duke, Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, Miami University, Michigan State, Middle Tennessee State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Penn State, Purdue, Toledo, West Virginia and Wisconsin
Gebhardt is a four-star recruit and forms a solid duo in the Braves’ defensive backfield with senior JJ Jah. Gebhardt had 129 tackles last year, including four for loss, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack. He was second-team All-District in Division I and first-team All-OCC Cardinal.
JJ Jah, Olentangy
Vital signs: 5-11, 180, sr.
The college offers: Akron, Army, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Central State, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Marshall, Massachusetts, Navy and Toledo
Like Gebhardt, Jah has a long list of Division I offers. Last season, he totaled 49 tackles and three interceptions and earned honorable mention honors with the OCC Cardinals. The Braves finished the season 11-2 and lost 37-24 to eventual state runner-up Springfield in the Division I, Region 2 semifinals.
Owen Nugent, Grandview Heights
Vital substances: 5-9, 155, jr.
The college offers: None
Nugent, who moved up from cornerback to free safety, helped the Bobcats have a successful 2023 season, finishing 7-4 and reaching the Division VI, Region 23 playoffs. He made 89 tackles and had two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He also returned a kickoff and scored a touchdown. Nugent was named to the All-District first team and All-State second team.
Treyton Schroeder, Olentangy Orange
Vital signs: 5-9, 160, jr.
The college offers: None
Treyton, the nephew of coach Wesley Schroeder, had 34 1/2 tackles last season, including 26 solo, seven interceptions and a sack. The seven interceptions tied the program record, and he set a program record for a single game with two in one game. He was first-team all-district and all-OCC-Central and third-team all-state in Division I.
Jonathan Stevens, Westerville North
Vital substances: 6-0, 180, sr.
College Involvement: Northwest
The versatile Stevens will return to play as a free safety and slotback for the Warriors. He was limited to eight games last season due to injury, but had 28 tackles and two interceptions. He also rushed for 323 yards and five touchdowns. Stevens was first-team All-OCC-Capital and received honorable mention All-District in Division I.
@DispatchFrank
