Spring football is on the horizon for the 13 FBS programs in the state of Texas and that means it is time to shift focus toward the 2026 season and rank the 10 best players at each position, continuing with defensive backs.    

The Lone Star State sent 10 programs to bowl games and two to the College Football Playoff in a historic year for college teams here in Texas. Five of the 13 finished inside the AP Top 25 and only Baylor, Sam Houston, and UTEP failed to reach the postseason. Nine of the 13 teams finished with a winning record. 

Previous rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | EDGE | DT | LB

1. Jamel Johnson, TCU 

2025 stats: 96 tackles, 3 TFL, 5 INT, 8 PD, 1 FR

A second-team All-Big 12 selection at safety who recorded seven tackles and an important interception in the win over USC. With Bud Clark finally out of eligibility, Johnson will be the face of the Horned Frogs secondary. He emerged as one of the best defensive backs in Texas as a junior and we expect him to be an All-Big 12 First Team selection at the end of 2026. He’s started 25 times since 2024 and was a former four-star recruit. 

2. Brice Pollock, Texas Tech 

2025 stats: 43 tackles, 3 TFL, 5 INT, 11 PD, 1 FR

Pollack immediately became one of the premier cornerbacks in the Big 12 after transferring to Texas Tech from Mississippi State ahead of the 2025 season. He was All-Big 12 First Team and All-State First Team after leading the conference in interceptions with five. His two interceptions against Oregon State earned him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors in mid-September. Keeping him out of the NFL Draft was a huge win for the Red Raiders after the season. 

3. Will James, Houston 

2025 stats: 38 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 INT, 8 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR

James started all 13 games at cornerback for the Coogs in his first year on campus. The former Southern Miss export was an All-Big 12 Second Team selection and a second-team member of our All-Texas team in 2025. James led Houston with three interceptions and was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week in late November after the win against TCU. 

4. Jelani McDonald, Texas 

2025 stats: 80 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 INT, 6 PD, 1 FR

McDonald became a full-time starter for the Longhorns as a junior in 2025, manning the safety position next to the departing Michael Taaffe. He’ll enter his senior season with 39 games and 17 starts under his belt. McDonald recorded at least five tackles in five of the eight games of the season, including six stops in wins over Texas A&M and Michigan to close out 2026. 

5. Graceson Littleton, Texas 

2025 stats: 47 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 INT, 8 PD, 2 FF

Littleton was one of the most impactful true freshman defensive backs in America last season when he started eight of the 13 games he played in at nickel back for the Horns. The former four-star from Florida made an immediate impression with a solid performance in Week 1 on the road against Ohio State and maintained a presence in the Texas secondary for the rest of the season. Littleton had a season-high eight tackles and forced a fumble on the road against Florida.  

6. Marcus Ratcliffe, Texas A&M 

2025 stats: 66 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 PD

A consistent safety in a Texas A&M defense that helped the Aggies start 11-0 and reach the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history. Ratcliffe has been a stalwart in the secondary over his first two years as an Aggie after transferring from San Diego State when Mike Elko was hired. Ratcliffe was second on the team in tackles while recording at least five stops in eight of the 13 games. 

7. John Curry, Texas Tech 

2025 stats: 72 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 4 PD, 1 FF, 2 FR

Curry is a hybrid defender who doubles as a linebacker and a safety. We’ll include him in the defensive back rankings because he’s essentially a big-bodied nickel who is excellent against the run and the pass. The Red Raiders refer to the position as the “Star” and Curry is ideally suited for the role. He posted a career-high 10 tackles in the Big 12 Championship game win over BYU and started 13 times on the year. He was fourth on the team in tackles and scored on a fumble return against Kansas State. 

8. Bo Mascoe, Texas 

2025 stats: 53 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 INT, 5 PD, 2 FF (Rutgers)

Mascoe was an honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2025 after starting 12 games at cornerback for Rutgers. He transfers to Texas, where he’ll be reunited with former Rutgers cornerback coach Mark Orphey, who is now on staff with the Longhorns. Mascoe posted a season-high nine tackles against Illinois and Ohio State and recorded his lone interception in non-conference against Miami (OH). 

9. Rickey Gibson III, Texas A&M

2025 stats: Injured (Tennessee)

Gibson missed most of the 2025 campaign after suffering a season-ending injury in the opener against Syracuse. He had emerged as one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC as a sophomore in 2024 when he started 12 times for a team that made the CFP. Gibson tallied 32 tackles, including two for loss and a forced fumble, while ranking third on the team in pass breakups with five. The Aggies lost Will Lee III and Tyreek Chappell, so Gibson needs to be an instant impact player at cornerback. 

10. Ryan Nolan, Texas State

2025 stats: 79 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 PD

Nolan was second on the team in tackles while starting in all 12 games he participated in during 2025. He flirted with the transfer portal before the Bobcats were able to lock him up and bring him back into the fold for the Pac-12 run. Nolan has nearly 20 starts in his career at Texas State and should be one of the best safeties in the G6 this season.