As we hit the preview portion of the 2026 FCS offseason, HERO Sports will rank the top returning players by position group.
While what happens on the field and how things finish at the end of the season is what really matters, preseason rankings give fans an idea of which players and teams they should keep an eye on.
Here are the top returning defensive backs in 2026.
NOTES:
- These rankings are formed by a combination of on-field production, postseason accolades, PFF grades, and the author’s opinion/FCS knowledge (watching games, knowing what system players are in, strength of opponents, etc.).
- 2026 FBS-to-FCS or non-D1-to-FCS transfers will not be included.
- Top Returning FCS Running Backs
- Top Returning FCS Quarterbacks
- Top Returning FCS Linebackers
- Top Returning FCS Wide Receivers
- Top Returning FCS Offensive Linemen
- Top Returning FCS Tight Ends
Best Returning FCS DBs
40. Jalen Edwards, Lafayette (CB)
39. Ruben Lopez, San Diego (FS/slot)
38. Josiah Harris, Gardner-Webb (S)
37. Evan Haynie, Princeton (CB)
36. Shoes Brinkley, Northern Arizona (S) (transfer from McNeese)
35. Nic Yatsko, Indiana State (slot)
34. Ty Cortes, Penn (FS)
33. Andre DePina-Gray, Rhode Island (FS)
32. Kam Baah-Slay, Chattanooga (FS)
31. Tony Hart, Elon (FS)
30. LaMarion Pierce, UT Martin (CB)
29. Grant Noland, North Dakota (CB)
28. Kedrick Green, Howard (FS)
27. Ta’Shaun Sims, Alabama State (FS)
26. RJ Stewart, South Dakota (CB)
25. Eli Campbell, Wofford (FS)
24. Omar Emmons, Tarleton State (slot)
23. Jordan Allen, Richmond (S)
22. Harrison Keith, Dartmouth (FS)
21. Torian Roberts, Princeton (CB)
20. Brandon Webster, Yale (CB)
19. Trey Watkins, LIU (FS)
18. Dev Holman, Youngstown State (CB) (transfer from Butler)
17. Kam Sallis, Jackson State (FS)
16. Jonnie Wiltshire, North Dakota (slot)
RELATED: 2026 FCS Preseason Preview Central
15. Drew Cofield, UC Davis (CB)
14. Nick Peltekian, Lehigh (S)
13. Tayden Gray, Montana State (slot)
12. Jaylon Jenkins, Eastern Washington (S/slot)
11. Jaeden Jones, Monmouth (FS)
10. Dylan Rowsey, Murray State (FS)
9. Chris Jean, CCSU (S)
8. La’Shavion Brown, Illinois State (FS)
7. Ken Moore Jr., Western Carolina (slot)
6. Eric Zachery, Prairie View A&M (CB)
5. Dillon Williams, Abilene Christian (S) (transfer from Central Arkansas)
Williams is a top FCS-to-FCS transfer this offseason, going from UCA to ACU within the UAC. In 2024, he totaled 80 tackles, four TFLs, six pass breakups, and an interception. Last fall, Williams racked up 83 stops, 4.5 TFLs, three pass breakups, and two interceptions. He was PFF’s No. 5-graded FCS safety, and he earned All-UAC Second Team honors.
4. Damien Henderson, Harvard (CB)
Henderson has played in 31 games since 2023, where he was named an FCS Freshman All-American with 29 tackles and two interceptions. In 2024, he totaled 42 tackles, three TFLs, and nine pass breakups, earning All-Ivy League Second Team accolades. Last season, Henderson was PFF’s No. 3-graded FCS cornerback while tallying 46 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. He earned another spot on the All-Ivy League Second Team.
3. Rex Connors, UC Davis (S)
Connors was limited to four games last season due to injury and received another year of eligibility. He entered 2025 as the Big Sky’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Connors is a three-time All-Big Sky safety and a 2024 All-American. Connors finished 2024 with 115 tackles despite missing three games, including 3.5 TFLs, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. In 2023, he totaled 59 stops, one interception, and six pass breakups in seven games. In 2022 as a freshman, Connors totaled 88 tackles, four TFLs, five interceptions, and five pass breakups in nine games.
2. Abu Kamara, Yale (slot)
Kamara is a top-tier talent who got his chance to shine in the 2025 playoffs. In the two postseason games, he had 11 combined tackles, tallied three pass breakups at Youngstown State, and had two forced fumbles and two pass breakups at Montana State. In 12 total games, he recorded 76 stops, 6.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and 13 pass breakups. Kamara graded out as PFF’s No. 12 FCS safety. He was named to the All-Ivy League First Team and was the Ivy League’s Defensive Player of the Year. He also earned a spot on a few All-American teams.
1. Caden Dowler, Montana State (S)
Dowler made a name for himself last season, overcoming injuries earlier in his career to put together a standout year for the national champions. He made his presence felt all over the field, racking up 91 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, two forced fumbles, four pass breakups, and six interceptions. Two of those picks were returned for touchdowns. Dowler graded out as PFF’s No. 14 FCS safety. The postseason accolades were aplenty: All-Big Sky First Team, Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, multiple All-American First Teams, and No. 4 in Buck Buchanan Award voting.
