Best Defensive Backs
If you want the best defensive back in CFB 26, Caleb Downs at Ohio State is the 97 OVR answer. Leonard Moore (Notre Dame) trails by 1 at 96 OVR, so the top of the board is a real two-way race. By rank 25 you're at 91 OVR (Ahmaad Moses, SMU) — that's the floor for an immediate-starter tier-one defensive back on a national-championship roster.
The Top 25
Ranked by overall rating at dynasty start (Launch / National Championship). Click a team to open its full dynasty guide.
| # | Player | Pos | Team | OVR | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Caleb Downs | FS | Jr | Ohio State | 97 | Stamina 99 |
| 02 | Leonard Moore | CB | So | Notre Dame | 96 | Man Coverage 98 |
| 03 | Mansoor Delane | CB | Sr | LSU | 95 | Awareness 97 |
| 04 | D'Angelo Ponds | CB | Jr | Indiana | 95 | Agility 97 |
| 05 | Dillon Thieneman | SS | Jr | Oregon | 95 | Stamina 96 |
| 06 | KJ Bolden | FS | So | Georgia | 93 | Acceleration 95 |
| 07 | Chris Johnson | CB | Sr | San Diego State | 93 | Acceleration 94 |
| 08 | Jermod McCoy | CB | Jr | Tennessee | 93 | Agility 97 |
| 09 | Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | FS | Sr | Toledo | 93 | Injury 97 |
| 10 | Avieon Terrell | CB | Jr | Clemson | 93 | Acceleration 95 |
| 11 | Tacario Davis | CB | Sr | Washington | 92 | Press 98 |
| 12 | Bray Hubbard | SS | Jr | Alabama | 92 | Awareness 96 |
| 13 | Terry Moore | SS | Sr | Duke | 92 | Stamina 97 |
| 14 | Josh Moten | CB | Sr | Southern Miss | 92 | Acceleration 95 |
| 15 | Malik Muhammad | CB | Jr | Texas | 92 | Acceleration 94 |
| 16 | Keionte Scott | CB | Sr | Miami | 92 | Jumping 96 |
| 17 | Michael Taaffe | FS | Sr | Texas | 92 | Awareness 98 |
| 18 | Keith Abney II | CB | Jr | Arizona State | 91 | Stamina 95 |
| 19 | Xavion Alford | SS | Sr | Arizona State | 91 | Stamina 97 |
| 20 | Jalen Catalon | FS | Sr | Missouri | 91 | Injury 94 |
| 21 | A.J. Haulcy | FS | Sr | LSU | 91 | Hit Power 96 |
| 22 | Davison Igbinosun | CB | Sr | Ohio State | 91 | Acceleration 94 |
| 23 | Tao Johnson | FS | Jr | Utah | 91 | Jumping 96 |
| 24 | Rod Moore | FS | Sr | Michigan | 91 | Awareness 96 |
| 25 | Ahmaad Moses | FS | Sr | SMU | 91 | Jumping 92 |
What the list says
The SEC owns this list with 8 of the top 25. If you're recruiting against the conference, you're recruiting against the position's deepest pool.
14 of the top 25 are seniors. Most of this list disappears in 12 months, so if you're recruiting toward the position, target your Year 1 class for replacements — don't expect to inherit a starter.