The Arizona Republic has broken down the top 10 players in each of the offensive positions to see in the 2026 high school football season. So far on defense, we've ranked the edge rushers,defensive tackles and linebackers. Now we look at the defensive backs, the last layer of defense that is tough to crack. This state is stacked with DBs, making it hard to narrow it down to just 10.Vote in our poll below for the player from our list you think is No. 1 entering the 2026 season. Print readers can find the poll online with this story at azcentral.com/sports/high-schools.The Republic's top 10 defensive backs1. Mikyal Davis, Goodyear Desert Edge, 5-11, 180, Sr.The Oklahoma commit is another in the long line of great cornerbacks that Desert Edge has produced in recent years. He's got all the skills needed to lock down receivers. He had 36 tackles, 7.5 for losses, an interception and 11 pass breakups last season.2. Nasim Eason, Gilbert Higley, 6-2, 170, Sr.He flipped his commitment from San Diego State to Arizona State this summer. Had an outstanding June in 7-on-7 tournaments. A long cornerback, he has the skill set to keep quarterbacks from throwing in his direction.3. Ezra Spivey, Tucson, 5-11, 180, Jr.He already has 12 career varsity interceptions, including seven as a freshman. He also had four fumble recoveries his freshman year. Great speed and as good a ball hawk as there is. 4. Keaton Fields, Chandler Hamilton, 6-3, 185, Jr.One of the best safeties in the country, Fields started on varsity as a sophomore, showing off skills that have only improved. Hamilton could have one of the best secondaries in the state. 5. Kacey Allen Jr., Hamilton, 6-1, 180, Jr.Another elite safety who can also play cornerback, watch for Allen to take off his junior season as a defensive difference maker. 6. Nekhi Lambeth, Desert Edge, 6-0, 180, Jr.Another piece to maybe the best secondary in the state. The four-star cornerback has 20 Division I offers, including Arizona, Georgia and Indiana.7. Elijah Carothers, Peoria Centennial, 6-0, 180, Sr.Excellent skills in the middle of the secondary, great hands, fearless hitter. Northern Arizona got a steal with his commitment to the Lumberjacks.8. Ryder Noche, Brophy Prep, 5-7, 175, Sr.He's been a force in the secondary the last two years. He also is an electric punt returner. Brophy's secondary is in great shape between Noche, sophomore Bishop Allen and junior Xavier Sanhu.9. Jaelyn Easterling-Flores, Desert Edge, 6-2, 180, Jr.A versatile safety/corner who has started since his freshman year and seen his recruiting blow up. Great ball skills, anticipation. Not afraid to hit.10. Tre Kennard, Chandler Basha, 5-10, 180, Sr.The Nevada commit is ready to break out with a big senior season. A workhorse on and off the field. Great student and athlete. Comes from NFL bloodlines.Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.comor 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obertThis article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Vote for the top Arizona high school football defensive backs in 2026

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A day after rain washed out the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix, drivers brought the heat to the Nashville oval on Monday. Here's how the race played out, with a familiar face taking the checkered flag: The Winner Is Alex Palou. The four-time INDYCAR champion and current series points leader brought home his fifth victory of the season. He outlasted the hometown kid (and reigning race winner) Josef Newgarden. Palou's dominance continues to be on display as he has now won 13 of the past 29 races. One Big Moment The caution came out after Alexander Rossi took a big hit from behind and went spinning. Top-10 Results 1. Alex Palou 2. Josef Newgarden 3. David Malukas 4. Scott McLaughlin 5. Felix Rosenqvist 6. Marcus Ericsson 7. Pato O'Ward 8. Mick Schumacher 9. Kyffin Simpson 10. Kyle Kirkwood What's Next? The INDYCAR Series takes a week off before heading to Portland on Aug. 9 for the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland (4 p.m. ET on FOX).

SportsLine expert Angelo "Amags" Magliocca has revealed his MLB home run props picks for Monday, July 20

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love joins Derryl Barnes of Front Office Sports to discuss:His aspirations of going professional in gaming before he committed to footballHis work with Call of Duty after playing Cooper Flagg in a head-to-head match at Fanatics FestThe most ridiculous purchase hes ever made with NIL moneyMake sure to subscribe and stay with Front Office Sports for more on the business and culture of sports.The post Could Jeremiyah Love Have Been a Professional Gamer? appeared first on Front Office Sports.