Meet Iowa’s best high school defensive backs in 2024

Whether it is scoring a touchdown through an interception or jarring the ball from the field, a game of football can be shifted round in the blink of an eye by defensive backs.

Here are some of the top defensive backs around Iowa in 2024:

Jayden McGregory West Des Moines Valley Head Coach Junior

The Tigers have availed an opportunity to participate in their offense and McGregory has not disappointed with the team receiving big plays. On defense the same is done with two interceptions including one for a six.

Emmanuel Gaye from Southeast Polk was also in senior year.

Even weekly going against some of the best receivers in the state, Gaye remains the rock, especially when it comes to limiting the opposing team.

Dominic Salibi, Iowa City High, Senior

Salibi is the kind of kid you just have to get involved, and that what the Little Hawks are doing, getting involved with Salibi. He still takes it on defense each week when it is required of him as well.

Lucas Nunnikhoven Senior, North Mahaska

He is the ‘Specialist of Offense’ as the starting quarterback for the team but Nunnikhoven also has contributed to the offense with 25 tackles and 2 sacks on the defense line.

Jackson Ruggles, Mount Ayr, Jr.

The Raiders just make it hard for opponents with Ruggles a major asset as he intercepted four passes two of which he returned. He also back above 1,000 total yards of offense for the season.

Jordan Dusenberry, the student of wilton senior,

One of the significant beneficiaries for his team, Dusenberry has made three Interceptions and contributed severely on the defensive end.

Carson Baak of Emmetsburg High School at the end of graduated year or senior grade.

The E-Hawks seem to be back to their form where they used to dominate and win, and Baak has something to do with that. He has 45 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

Mason Hoy of Springville; Junior

Hoy is currently leading the team in rushing and scoring among the top in tackles on the field besides having four interceptions with two return for a touchdown.

Drew Greve, Forward, Iowa City Regina of the Seven Team Junior

As part of a deep receiver group for the Regals, Greve has three interceptions with one going for a touchdown. He also makes the majority of his tackles from the secondary one on one confrontations.

Matt Condon, Manson Northwest Webster, Senior

A multiple crown state track qualifier on the field, Condon contributes over 10 yards per carry on offense and has racked 32 tackles and five interceptions on defense.

Tate Olsen Des Moines Christian School 9

A sophomore, Olsen has been a lion this year with three interceptions, one of which that he took back for a touchdown.

Ryan Treptow, Jesup, Senior

Treptow has surpassed 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns for the J-Hawks but is also intense on the defense this year.

Tate Slagle, Algona, Senior

Slagle a future star of University of Iowa baseball team will be expected to contribute even more this time around given the loss of Alex Manske. As one of the key receivers for the Bulldogs he has an impact on defense stops.

Bo Koedam of Sergeant Bluff-Luton is Senior Sergeant

Koedam with more than twenty tackles and two interceptions already this fall for the SB-L program.

Independence Junior The author Christopher Meyer

Meyer has been doing a little of running, catching, tackling and picking off passes and till now he has five of the latter.

Aaron Olsen, Audubon, Senior

Described as one of the fastest eight-player athletes in the state, Olsen is not one that an opponent wants to mess with if they’re going to throw the ball around.

Brody Pryor, Woodbine, Junior

Many traditions come with the Pryor name from Woodbine and Brody is the latest. He has้งาน 1000+ passing yards, 390+ rushing yards and 3 interceptions.

Kicker Cael Benesh, North Linn, Senior

The Lynx need Benesh come through on defense and he does and even records two goals from his three interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Lammer Kessler Whaley, Danville, advancing age

With eight interceptions and one interception for a touchdown, Whaley is the state’s interception leader.

Eli Dee, Baxter, Junior

Dee who switched to QB on the offensive side this fall has been a nightmare to the opponents’ offenses with six interceptions including one that he returned for a touchdown.

Austin Schmidt, (West Bend-Mallard, Senior)

This season’s leading rushing quarterback in the state, Schmidt has recorded 6 interceptions and 2 for touchdowns while gaining more than 200 yards in returns.

Kasey Hough, GTRA, Senior

Hough never gets to go to the sideline, it’s on the offense, defense and special teams. From his safety spot he has been beaming bright with six interceptions again.

Owen Garside at Boyer Valley and last but not least Seniors.

Seven interceptions to his credit this year, Garside has rendered it almost impossible for an opponent to pass to him this fall.

Keaton Harpenau, Remsen St. Mary’s, #12 Senior

And years a staple for the hawks harpenau with five interceptions including two on score return.

Jakob Koopman on St. Edmond’s junior team

Out for a major portion of the season during his early playing years, Koopman is now a big help for the Gael playoff-bound with five interceptions on his scorecard.

50/50 – Half and Half so it is Christopher Lee, Lincof from Council Bluffs Lincoln High School and he is a sophomore.
Now Lee is still quite young in regard to age, however, the ten-grader remains creative and has four interceptions.