As we prepare for the start of the 2024 Ohio high school football season , we're breaking down the top players by position. Throughout the preseason , we're ranking the top 10 Greater Canton quarterbacks , running backs , receivers/tight ends , offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs, specialists and two-way players.
Today, we look at the top 10 defensive backs, starting with Massillon's Demari Clemons and Green's Antonio Martin.
Demari Clemons
Massillon, cornerback, Class of 2026
What to know: Never mind the secondary. Newcomer Demari Clemons may be one of the state's top players, period. The transfer from Buffalo Bennett in New York already has received multiple NCAA Division I offers, including Power-5 offers from Boston College, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State.
Antonio Martin
Green, cornerback, Class of 2025
What to know: Martin hopes to reestablish himself as one of the state's top all-around players after recovering from his second torn ACL on the same knee . He was a second team All-Ohio defensive back in 2023 after intercepting six passes. He also combined for 977 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing and receiving.
Tyler Hackenbracht
Massillon, safety, Class of 2025
What to know: Hackenbracht earned honorable mention All-Ohio honors for the 2023 Division II state champion Tigers. He intercepted three passes and returned one for a touchdown. Hackenbracht committed to play college football at Toledo in January. He also received offers from Bowling Green, Miami and Temple.
Zac Braucher
Hoover, cornerback, Class of 2025
What to know: A talented two-sport athlete, Braucher is expected to be a fixture in the secondary and at receiver for the Vikings if he's not handling the quarterback duties. The third team All-Ohioan led the Hoover defense with four interceptions, including two against rival Jackson, last season. He also caught 57 passes for 897 yards and seven touchdowns despite almost playing two full games at quarterback as an injury replacement.
Keith Quincy
McKinley, safety, Class of 2025
What to know: Quincy is one of Stark County's top all-around players. He ranked among the area leaders in interceptions in 2023 with six. His interception in the end zone on the final play of the game helped McKinley seal a playoff win over St. Ignatius . As a receiver, Quincy caught 51 passes for 970 yards and eight touchdowns to earn second team All-Ohio honors. He has NCAA Division I offers from Akron and Temple.
Lukas Gilland
Sandy Valley, safety, Class of 2025
What to know: Gilland earned second team All-Ohio honors as a defensive back in 2023. He had a game-saving pick in the end zone in the season opener against Fairless. Gilland has more than 1,500 yards receiving and 20 touchdown catches over the last two seasons. He recently committed to play at Saint Francis (Pa.), an NCAA Division I FCS school.
JR Jackson
Alliance, defensive back, Class of 2026
What to know: With six interceptions as a sophomore, Jackson was among the area leaders in 2023. He is also expected to take on a bigger role at receiver. Jackson had 19 catches for 318 yards and a touchdown last season.
Quincy Jones
GlenOak, safety, Class of 2025
Jones earned second team All-Federal League honors last season. He is a versatile defender for the Golden Eagles. He can drop back and cover and also come up and hit people.
Joey Jackson
West Branch, defensive back, Class of 2025
What to know: Jackson intercepted four passes for West Branch's defense in 2024. As a receiver, he caught 74 passes for 1,024 yards in 14 touchdowns to earn second-team All-Ohio honors. Jackson has received multiple college offers, including NCAA Division II Lake Erie and Thomas More.
Kolton Loy
Louisville, safety, Class of 2025
Loy looks to pick up where he left off last season. He played safety and tight end for the Leopards and was voted team MVP. Loy helped the Leopards post their first shutout in seven years at Zanesville. He also caught a touchdown pass that night.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio high school football 2024 I Top 10 Canton-area defensive backs to watch
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