Previewing the top defensive backs in Cincinnati high school football

There's nothing like Friday night lights in Greater Cincinnati.

The Queen City is packed with tradition and state title contenders every year. As another season approaches, The Enquirer will provide a comprehensive preview of the sport in the city of seven hills. To kick off our coverage, we're looking at the top 10 players in each position group, beginning with defensive backs and safeties.

Here are the top 10 defensive back and safeties in Greater Cincinnati.

There is a poll at the bottom of the story to vote on the top player; readers can vote once per hour per device and the poll will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 17.

Mister Achoe, Withrow

As a sophomore, he was second in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference with four interceptions, including one that he returned 82 yards for a touchdown. He also made 23 tackles, with 11 coming in a loss at La Salle.

Achoe currently holds offers from the University of Louisville, Miami University and the University of Tulsa.

Ace Alston, Anderson

Ranked as the top defensive back in Ohio, according to 247Sports, he recorded two interceptions in 2025 and was second in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with 17 pass deflections. The Notre Dame commit has six career interceptions and will be one of the main factors as the Raptors look to build on their 26-game regular-season winning streak and return to their third straight Division II state championship game.

Caleb Arrasmith, Beechwood

One of a number of skill players for the Tigers, he led the team with three interceptions, including two that he returned for touchdowns. He also made 17 tackles. On offense, Arrasmith caught 18 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns.

Chris Bradley, North College Hill

He is a journeyman among Cincinnati high school football. Bradley started his career at Moeller, grabbing two interceptions as a sophomore before leading the Greater Miami Conference with six interceptions as a junior at Lakota West.

Now, he will look to factor into NCH's first Miami Valley Conference title since 2011. He is ranked as the seventh-best defensive back in Ohio and is committed to Indiana.

Roman Combs, Lakota West

In his first season in the Greater Miami Conference, Combs made 21 tackles and grabbed two interceptions with six pass deflections. He is ranked as the fifth-best defensive back and No. 35 overall player in the state and committed to Purdue on June 27.

Ka'Ronn Daugherty, Princeton

As a junior at Winton Woods, he tied for the ECC lead with four interceptions, two each in wins over Turpin and Lebanon. He also registered eight pass deflections and 16 tackles. With the influx of transfers to Princeton, the Vikings will be a frontrunner to advance to the state tournament for the first time since 1990.

Hezikiah Kelley, Northwest

The Temple University commit is ranked as the top safety and No. 30 overall player in Ohio. He was a two-way player for the Knights in 2025, recording 255 receiving yards and 49 rushing yards, averaging over 20 yards on punt returns and kick returns, and totaling 61 tackles with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception and three pass deflections.

Evan Kincaid, Ryle

As a junior, Kincaid tied for the Class 6A lead with seven interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He also picked up 25 tackles for a Raiders defense that allowed just 119 passing yards, 101 rushing yards and 17 points per game.

Marino Middleton, Moeller

He is the top returning defensive back in the Greater Conference League-South. He recorded two interceptions as a junior and made 35 tackles. Middleton also forced and recovered a fumble.

Monsanna Torbert, Princeton

He is ranked as the No. 3 defensive back in Ohio despite playing primarily as a quarterback last year at Taft. He threw for 1,791 yards and 27 touchdowns with no interceptions and ran for 375 yards to lead the Senators to a Division IV regional semifinal. His lone interception was a pick-six in the season finale against Woodward.

Torbert was originally committed to Indiana University before flipping to the University of Michigan on July 1.

Additional defensive backs to watch in 2026

Jaxon Barnett, Little Miami; Ramik Bell, Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy; Brady Boruske, Bishop Brossart; Cooper Clay, Badin; Brady Conrad, McNicholas; Christian Coston, Winton Woods; Jack Denier, Harrison; Paxton Dodsworth, Moeller; Parker Jackson, Ross; Nathan Kellenberger, Cincinnati Country Day; Jerod Lindsey, Anderson; Ben Markarian, Harrison; Payden Mawyer, Wilmington; Mario Meatchem, CCPA; Chase Moak, Hamilton; Carson Quaimbao, Mariemont; Chaick Sacko, Hughes; Xavier Thornberry, Holy Cross; Key'Sean Torbert, Princeton; Gabe Williams, Highlands; Korde Williams, Summit Country Day; Peyton Zinser, Scott

Vote: Who is the top defensive back in Greater Cincinnati high school football?

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Previewing the top defensive backs in Cincinnati high school football