High school football preview: Ranking the Top 10 Fort Worth-area defensive backs in 2022
Perhaps the top position in all of the Fort Worth-area lies in the secondary, where some of the best ranked corners and safeties reside.
All 10 of this season’s top defensive backs are at least three stars and ranked by 247Sports.
Here is the Top 10:
1. Javien Toviano
Senior, Cornerback, 6-0, 185, Arlington Martin
Facts: The 5-star corner ranks as the fourth best senior corner in the country and seventh best player in Texas, according to the 247Sports composite. He holds 28 offers from a Power Five school and is down to Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Oregon, Michigan, Texas, Ohio State and Texas A&M.
2. Jamel Johnson
Senior, Safety, 6-1, 185, Arlington Seguin
Facts: The 4-star Johnson is committed to Texas. According to the 247Sports composite, Johnson ranks as the 14th best senior safety in the country and 36th best player in the state.
3. Jaden Allen
Junior, Cornerback, 5-10, 160, Aledo
Facts: Allen is among the top 2024 players in the nation and a one-time state champion. The 4-star Texas commit is rated as the 12th best junior corner and 23rd best in Texas, according to the 247Sports composite.
4. Brenden Jordan
Senior, Safety, 6-0, 185, Mansfield
Facts: Jordan is a 4-star Texas Tech commit and ranks as the 19th best senior safety in the country and 45th best player in Texas.
5. Jordan Sanford
Senior, Safety, 5-11, 185, Mansfield Timberview
Facts: The 4-star Sanford is set to join Jordan in the secondary in Lubbock after committing to Texas in early August. Among 2023s, he ranks as the 23rd best safety in the country and 46th best player in the state.
6. LeVar Thornton Jr.
Senior, Cornerback, 6-2, 170, Keller Timber Creek
Facts: The two-way athlete starred for the Falcons’ defense last season with three interceptions. Thornton is a 3-star Baylor commit and ranks in the Top 100 best seniors in the state.
7. Landyn Cleveland
Junior, Safety, 6-1, 190, Mansfield Legacy
Facts: The 3-star prospect is ranked as the 36th best junior safety in the country and 61st best player in Texas, according to the 247Sports composite. He had 104 tackles and one interception last season. Cleveland holds 12 offers, which include TCU, Texas, Texas Tech and Baylor.
8. Chapman Lewis
Senior, Safety, 6-1, 170, Burleson Centennial
Facts: Tech has a third area defensive back as Lewis is a 3-star Red Raider commit. He announced in January. He is among the leading tacklers for any position, finishing 2021 with 138, 12 for loss and two interceptions.
9. Diesel Gordon
Senior, Cornerback, 5-11, 170, Arlington Seguin
Facts: Gordon is a 3-star Washington commit and adds another lethal weapon in the Seguin secondary along with Johnson. Among 2023s, he ranks in the Top 10 corners in the country.
10. Kameron Sallis
Senior, Safety, 6-0, 190, Kennedale
Facts: The 3-star Sallis committed to Kansas State this summer. He was among the area leaders in 2021 with four interceptions, and added 47 tackles for the Wildcats.
This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 5:15 AM.