Defensive backs play an important part on successful football teams, and there's no shortage of talented safeties and cornerbacks in the New Orleans metro area.
There were several highly recruited defensive backs out of New Orleans in the 2024 class, and there are several more being recruited by Division I colleges in the 2025 and 2026 classes.
Below are 10 New Orleans area defensive backs to watch this 2024 high school football season.
Defensive Backs to watch in the New Orleans area
Mason Beach, Patrick Taylor (Sr.)
Beach was a key defensive back for a Patrick Taylor team that won their first playoff game last season and will be asked to play an even bigger role this year as one of only five seniors returning.
More: Patrick Taylor season preview
Josh Brown, Holy Cross (Sr.)
Nicknamed “Turbo” due to his elite speed, Brown shined at state track and on the football field as one of several returning defensive starters for Holy Cross and has gotten some recruiting attention.
More: Holy Cross season preview
Trey Brown, John Curtis (Sr.)
Brown is one of five returning defensive seniors with state championship experience for John Curtis, and he had a team-high three interceptions last season and is set to be the leader of the secondary.
More: John Curtis season preview
Lennis Finister, Rummel (Sr.)
Finister has been starting since his freshman year and has a long list of Division I offers, including some SEC schools, and he’ll look to reestablish himself as the leader of Rummel’s secondary.
More: A talented Rummel senior class is headlined by a cornerback with SEC attention
Ernest Lyons, Kennedy (Sr.)
Lyons, an Alcorn State commitment, is set to be a key leader in the secondary for a Kennedy defense that gets somewhat overshadowed by their offense that’s chalked full of playmakers.
More: Kennedy season preview
Justin Ross, McDonogh 35 (Sr.)
Ross made a name for himself last season with six interceptions and 15 pass breakups in his first season as a starter and is set to be a key contributor again for McDonogh 35’s secondary.
More: McDonogh 35 season preview
Jhase Thomas, Destrehan (Sr.)
Thomas, an LSU commitment and the son of former Saints cornerback Fred Thomas, is set to be the leader of Destrehan’s defense and made several big plays in their spring game against Karr.
More:?Destrehan 2025 recruits Jhase Thomas and Phillip Wright commit to Power Five schools
Karr's Oliver Mitchell, right, cannot reach a pass as he is covered by Brother Martin's Treshoun Ware during the first half at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Scott Threlkeld, The Times-Picayune)
Treshoun Ware, Brother Martin (Sr.)
Ware was a first team All-District selection as a junior and is set to be the anchor of Brother Martin’s secondary this season while also contributing some on offense at running back.
More: Brother Martin season preview
Aiden Hall, Karr, (Jr.)
Hall, an LSU commitment, started as a sophomore last season and was able to earn All-District honors, establishing himself as an elite defensive back prospect having received several Power Five offers.
More: Edna Karr football has 4 players with Power 5 offers, and the list may grow
Maurice Williams, Karr (Jr.)
Williams is another talented defensive back for Karr that’s set to play a key role at cornerback as a junior and has built up a solid recruiting profile having picked up multiple Division I offers.
More: Karr season preview
Others to watch: Jakobie Anderson, McDonogh 35 (Sr.); Kristopher Coleman, John Ehret (Sr.); Lester Johnson, Rummel (Sr.); Montez Randall, De La Salle (Sr.); Hayward Howard, Karr (Jr.); Dax Pregeant, St. Charles (Jr.)
Staff writers Christopher Dabe and Joseph Halm contributed to the list.
