Who are the best high school defensive backs in the Southland?

Top 10 high school defensive backs in the Southland heading into the 2016 season (in alphabetical order):

Elijah Blades; Muir; 6-3; 170; Sr.; Florida commit has speed and size.

Thomas Graham; Rancho Cucamonga; 5-11; 175; Sr.; Has speed, tackling skills.

Elijah Hicks; La Mirada; 6-0; 185; Sr.; Cornerback who’s tough to elude.

Darnay Holmes; Calabasas; 5-10; 195; Sr.; Ran 40 yards in 4.32 seconds.

Quentin Lake; Mater Dei; 6-1; 180; Sr.; Had great summer showing off cornerback skills.

Deommodore Lenoir; Salesian; 6-0; 185; Sr.; Oregon commit has great recovery skills.

Brandon McKinley; Orange Lutheran; 6-2; 190; Sr.; Washington commit is a two-way standout.

Brendan Radley-Hiles; Calabasas; 5-10; 185; Jr.; Aggressive, quick cornerback.

Keith Taylor; Servite; 6-3; 185; Sr.; Washington commit is a dependable cornerback.

Jaiden Woodbey; St. John Bosco; 6-1; 195; Jr.; Safety who hits with the best.

Best of the rest

Bryson Addison; Gardena Serra; 6-3; 160; Jr.; Has lots of potential.

Xavier Bell; Mater Dei; 6-2; 190; Sr.; Enforcer in the talented Mater Dei secondary.

Trea Bloodworth; Fairfax; 6-1; 180; Sr.; Three-year starter.

Michael Cabrera; Downey; 5-11; 185; Sr.; Rising standout.

Shaun Colamonico; Edison; 6-0; 172; Sr.; Had a big summer.

Jalen Cole; Mater Dei; 5-10; 172; Sr.; First-team All-Trinity League.

Devon Cooley; Buena Park; 6-2; 180; Jr.; Made an impact as a sophomore.

Zach Charbonnet; Oaks Christian; 6-1; 190; So.; Watch him blossom at cornerback.

Aashari Crosswell; Hawkins; 5-11; 190; Sr.; Attracting college offers.

Marques Evans; Newbury Park; 6-1; 180; Sr.; Should be ready to excel.

Johnny Edwards; Alemany; 5-10; 175; Sr.; Has speed, cover skills.

Kamren Fabiculanan; St. Bonaventure; 6-2; 175; So.; Has athleticism, size.

Rian Fields; JSerra; 6-4; 190; Jr.; Free safety making progress.

Wylan Free; Lynwood; 6-1; 161; Sr.; Committed to USC.

Tyjai Fulford; El Camino Real; 5-9; 165; Jr.; Made eight interceptions.

Eric Fuller; Paramount; 5-10; 160; Jr.; Had six interceptions, including two vs. Narbonne.

Elijah Gates; Buena Park; 5-11; 175; Sr.; Became hot recruit in the off season.

Matthew Gonzales; Bishop Amat; 5-9; 180; Sr.; Was in on 76 tackles.

Olaijah Griffin; Mission Viejo; 6-0; 175; Jr.; One of the best in Division 1.

Javelin Guidry; Vista Murrieta; 5-10; 185; Sr.; Transfer from Texas ran a 10.41 100.

Marquette Jackson; Dorsey; 6-1; 190; Sr.; Had six interceptions.

Roman Kafentzis; Mater Dei; 6-3; 205; Sr.; Part of best secondary in the Southland.

Chris Lewis; Canoga Park; 6-2; 180; Sr.; Tough cornerback, good tackler.

Jeffrey Manning; Cathedral; 6-1; 190; Sr.; Committed to UCLA.

Mario Moemoe; Garden Grove; 5-10; 160; Sr.; Had nine interceptions.

Jimmy Pineo; Nipomo; 6-4; 185; Sr.; Size makes him intriguing.

Zane Pope; Moorpark; 6-2; 185; Sr.; Three-year standout.

Darrius Outland; Villa Park; 6-1; 185; Sr.; Committed to Fresno State.

Uche Nlemuwa; Mayfair; 5-11; 166; Sr.; Had five interceptions.

Justin Prince; Narbonne; 5-10; 190; Sr.; Strong safety makes tackles.

Jaylon Redd; Rancho Cucamonga; 5-9; 190; Sr.; Feisty, tough player.

Berdale Robins; Los Angeles; 5-9; 170; Sr.; Top return specialist in City Section.

Dylan Scholpy; Crespi; 5-7; 155; Sr.; Two-sport athlete has instincts to make plays.

Jaylan Shaw; Corona Centennial; 5-11; 175; Sr.; Ready to step up.

A.J. Stanley; Hart; 6-1; 205; Sr.; Had nine interceptions.

Chris Steele; St. John Bosco; 6-1; 180; So.; Cornerback with rising credentials.

Christian Swint; Compton; 6-1; 195; Jr.; Two-sport standout.

Khalid Taylor; Sherman Oaks Notre Dame; 5-9; 170; Sr.; Free safety is a leader.

Gary Theard; Upland; 6-1; 190; Sr.; Served notice with 12 tackles in final game last season.

Darion Turner; Manual Arts; 5-8; 165; Sr.; All-City player last season.

R.J. Van Kampen; Valley Christian; 6-0; 170; Sr.; Had nine interceptions.

Mekhi Ware; Culver City; 6-1; 175; Sr.; Had 11 interceptions.

Reggie Whitfield; Corona Centennial; 5-11; 160; Sr.; Free safety with great instincts.

Max Williams; Gardena Serra; 5-10; 165; So.; Distinguished himself as a freshman.

— Compiled by Eric Sondheimer