​Aiken’s DeAndre Carr-Short leaps to catch the ball during the County Fair College Combine on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Western Hills High School. Tony Tribble photo for The Enquirer. There’s nothing like Friday night lights in Greater Cincinnati, where the Queen City is steeped in tradition and perennial state-title contenders. As another season approaches, The Enquirer will deliver a thorough preview of football in this city of seven hills. To start our coverage, we’re ranking the top 10 players at every position group, beginning with defensive backs and safeties. Here are the top 10 defensive backs and safeties in Greater Cincinnati. A poll sits at the bottom of the story, inviting readers to vote for the top player; voting is limited to one vote per hour per device, and the poll closes at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 17.
As a sophomore, he finished second in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference with four interceptions, including an 82-yard return for a touchdown. He also totaled 23 tackles, with 11 coming in a loss at La Salle. Achoe currently holds offers from the University of Louisville, Miami University, and the University of Tulsa.
Anderson defensive back Ace Alston (No. 6) is pictured during the OHSAA Division II regional final between Anderson and Trotwood-Madison on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, at Lakota West High School. Ranked as Ohio’s top defensive back by 247Sports, he recorded two interceptions in 2025 and ranked second in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference with 17 pass deflections. The Notre Dame commit has six career interceptions and will be a key factor as the Raptors aim to extend their 26-game regular-season winning streak and return to their third straight Division II state championship game.
Emmett Queen (No. 12) and Caleb Arrasmith (No. 2) celebrate a touchdown as they head to the sideline on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at Beechwood Stadium. Among the Tigers’ dynamic playmakers, he led the squad with three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, and he also logged 17 tackles. On offense, Arrasmith caught 18 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns.
Chris Bradley (No. 11) of the Lakota West Firebirds reacts after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter during the OHSAA first-round playoff game between Hamilton and Lakota West on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at Lakota West Stadium. Bradley has been a versatile contributor in Cincinnati high school football, starting his career at Moeller and recording two interceptions as a sophomore before leading the Greater Miami Conference with six interceptions as a junior at Lakota West. Now he looks to help NCH contend for the Miami Valley Conference title, and he’s ranked as the seventh-best defensive back in Ohio with a commitment to Indiana.
Kenyon Norman (No. 3) of Lakota East is brought down by Roman Combs (No. 23) of Lakota West during the Lakota East versus Lakota West GMC matchup. This profile highlights the ongoing pursuit of elite defensive backs in the region, underscoring the talent pipeline shaping Greater Cincinnati’s next generation of top players.