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April has arrived, meaning we’re four short months away from the 2024 high school football kicking off. That means it’s a perfect time for some preview action to prepare you for the upcoming season.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll have pieces twice a week highlighting certain position groups and the top area players in those groups to keep an eye on in the new season.
We’ve released the quarterbacks, running backs, and pass-catchers so far. Now it’s time to highlight the area’s top ball hawks.
Here are 35 returning Nashville area defensive backs you need to keep an eye on during the 2024 season:
TOP RETURNERS PER POSITION: QB / RB / WR
Antoni Morton, East Nashville: Morton played a pivotal role on the Eagles’ defense last season racking up 31 tackles to go along with five interceptions.
BJ Alexander, Station Camp: A three-year starter for the Bison, Alexander’s racked up several honors during his high school career and has picked up multiple college offers along the way.
Bronson Crisp, Oakland: The Patriots’ hard-hitting corner tallied 37 tackles last season to go along with seven pass deflections and three interceptions.
CJ Jimcoily, Lipscomb Academy: One of the state’s top defensive prospects, Jimcoily will get his time to shine this season as the Mustang’s top corner. Last year he recorded 51 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
Craig Tutt, Oakland: Tutt’s recruiting stock has skyrocketed following a breakout sophomore season at safety for the Patriots. He recorded 54 tackles, six pass breakups, four sacks, and four interceptions.
Dame Calloway, Lebanon: The Blue Devils should return a stout defensive unit including one of their top cornerbacks in Calloway.
Dason Springer, White House Heritage: Spring was not only an All-Region and All-Robertson County but an All-State selection after racking up 104 Tackles, eight pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Deon Waller, Mt. Juliet: Waller returns to one of Wilson County’s best defenses and should have an even bigger season after racking up 42 tackles, four interceptions, and a fumble recovery in 2023.
Dominick Hamer, Hillsboro: Hamer’s future is bright with the Burros as he started every game last year as a sophomore.
Donovan Starr, Ravenwood: Starr’s another local defensive back who’s seen his recruiting stock rise following a great junior campaign. He currently holds 26 offers including Louisville, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt amongst others.
Eli Baumann, Independence: Baumann will be the Eagles’ lead returning tackler in 2024 after racking up 67 tackles to go along with two tackles for loss and two interceptions last season.
Garrett Copeland, Ezell-Harding: Copeland will man the Eagles’ defense from his safety spot after recording 56 tackles, eight pass breakups, three tackles for loss, a sack, and a defensive touchdown last season.
Gus Ramsey, Oakland: Ramsey’s another major contributor in what will be a loaded Oakland secondary. Last season he ended the year with 77 tackles, four pass breakups, and three interceptions.
Hezekiah Amick, MJCA: Amick could be in for a huge senior season after finishing his junior year with 47 tackles and four pass breakups.
Hunter Mullen, Independence: Mullen only racked up 20 tackles last season by recent offers from UConn and Western Kentucky won’t be the last as he enters his junior season.
Isaiah Roseberry, Mt. Juliet: Roseberry didn’t have the same number of interceptions as his teammate Waller but he did earn first-team All-Region honors with 78 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and two tackles for loss.
Jalen Anderson, Blackman: Anderson has a high upside for the Blaze defense and should only improve upon his 33 tackles and two interceptions from last season.
Jayden Rush, FRA: Rush earned DII-AA All-Region first-team honors for the Panthers with 31 tackles, three tackles for loss, three interceptions, and a defensive touchdown last season.
Jaylan Morgan, Rockvale: Some major Power Five program somewhere will be getting a future star in Morgan. Another one of the state’s top 2025 recruits, he’s been a three-year starter for the Rockets earning four-star status while racking up 90 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and three interceptions over the last two seasons.
Joshua Sims, Pearl-Cohn: Sims established himself as one of the state’s top defensive backs last season during Pearl-Cohn’s run to the Class 4A title. He led a loaded Firebirds secondary with 75.5 tackles and three interceptions.
Justin Bruce, Page: Bruce is another piece of the Patriots’ loaded secondary set to return in 2024. He finished 2023 with 48 tackles, 10 pass breakups and four interceptions.
Justin Hopkins, Ensworth: A rising sophomore, Hopkins will step into the role of the Tigers’ top defensive back next season. Power Five programs have already taken notice of his talents as he’s already been offered by Auburn, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Ole Miss, Purdue, and Tennessee.
Justin Zuger, Hendersonville: The Commandos lose a lot on both sides of the ball but return one of the best ball hawks in Zuger. He finished the 2023 season with 22 tackles, three interceptions, and two pass breakups.
Kade Perry, Westmoreland: Perry was second on the Eagles last season in total tackles with 64.5 to go along with an interception and a blocked PAT.
Kevin Endsley, Siegel: Endsley should thrive on the opposite side of Grant this season following a great junior season where he recorded 44 tackles and an interception.
Mason Ball, Brentwood: The Bruins graduated several defensive standouts from last year’s team but return one of their best with Ball. Last season he had 72 tackles, six pass breakups, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Nashaun Holbert, Stratford: Holbert will only get better following a great sophomore year where he recorded 28 tackles including 23 solo.
Trey McGaffee, Blackman: Rutherford County is loaded with returning defensive back talent this year and McGaffee led them all last season in tackles. He recorded a team-high 86 tackles to go along with three interceptions.
Tydarius Bright, Cheatham County: A two-way standout for the Cubs, Bright made his biggest impact on defense recording 70 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery.
William Wiebush, Page: Wiebush will likely find himself splitting duty as the Patriots’ starting quarterback and No. 1 cornerback this season. Last year he recorded 38 tackles and a team-high five interceptions.
Willis Bell, Station Camp: Bell’s been a two-year starter at safety for the Bison racking up All-Region 5-4A and All-County honors.
Zayvian Groves, East Robertson: The Groves family has another rising star in Zayvian who had 38 tackles, nine pass deflections, and three interceptions in the Indians’ run to the Class 2A championship game.
Zyntreacs Otey, Riverdale: Otey manned the Warriors’ defense from his free safety position last season and recorded 66 tackles, four pass breakups, two tackles for loss, and two interceptions.
Editor’s note: Siegel’s Tarrion Grant was originally listed, but according to On3, he reclassified to the Class of 2025 and will not play in the 2024 season.
