We hear at times that the Florida Panhandle is forgotten about, but here at FloridaHSFootball.com, we try to cover all areas equally to the best of our abilities. As we start to roll out our Top 10 lists from each region for the 2023 season sprinkled with dozens and dozens of talented athletes, we look to see who were the Top 10 by position that will include the following positions: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Offensive Lineman, Defensive Lineman, Linebackers, Defensive Backs and Kickers/Punters.
In this list we are taking a look at defensive backs from the Panhandle.
To determine the ranking, statistics, team strength of schedule from the 2023 season with interceptions, tackles, defensive touchdowns, and shutdown corner status along with team strength of schedule being the heaviest factors in our determination of who made the list.
Here is our ranking of the Top 10 defensive backs from the Panhandle for the 2023 season:
1. Nigel Nelson, Pensacola Catholic, Jr.
RB/DB Nigel Nelson, Pensacola Catholic [Photo Credit: @Nigelnelson04/X]He has already graced our list of the Top 10 best running backs from the Panhandle for the 2023 season, but here he is topping this list as one of the Top 10 best defensive backs from the Panhandle and is considered one of the best two-way athletes in the state. To Nelson’s credit, he had 54 tackles, five tackles for loss, five interceptions, broke up six passes, and had one defensive touchdown. He did all that while helping the Crusaders reach the state semifinals this past season.
2. Tre’vion Gillyard, Madison County (Madison), Sr.
DB Tre’vion Gillyard, Madison County (Madison) [Photo Credit: @_treyy_3/X]Gillyard has been an impressive athlete for the Cowboys over the last couple of seasons and he made his mark known during the season by racking up 35 tackles along with one tackle for loss, intercepting six passes, breaking up three passes, forcing a fumble, recovering a fumble and scoring three defensive touchdowns.
3. Jonathan Boyd, Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach), Sr.
DB Jonathan Boyd, Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach) [Photo Credit: @Jonathanboyd15/X]Boyd was a standout playmaker for the Indians in their second consecutive run to the regional finals in 2023 racking up 59 tackles with five tackles for loss, breaking up two passes, and intercepting four passes with one returned for a touchdown.
4. Alante Reese, Niceville, Soph.
DB Alante Reese, Niceville [Photo Credit: @Alante_2/X]What a breakout year for Reese who will certainly be a shining light for the Eagles over the next couple of years going into his junior and senior years. His stat line for the 2023 season includes 67 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and scoring three defensive touchdowns.
DB Zavion Jackson, Rickards (Tallahassee) [Photo Credit: @ZavionJacksonn/X]Despite the record this season for the Raiders, Jackson was all over the defensive backfield making plays. To his credit, Jackson racked up 44 tackles including five tackles for loss, intercepting four passes, and breaking up 13 passes.
6. Ladarian Clardy, Escambia (Pensacola), Jr.
DB Ladarian Clardy, Escambia (Pensacola) [Photo Credit: @_ladarian34/X]What a year Clardy had scared the heck out of opposing quarterbacks and for good reason. Clardy’s stat line for the Gators in 2023 racked up 57 tackles with two tackles for loss, intercepted four passes with one returned for a touchdown, and broke up eight passes.
7. John Christian III, Madison County (Madison), Sr.
DB John Christian III, Madison County [Photo Credit: @_John_3rd/X]If it was not Tre’vion Gilliyard making defensive plays for the Cowboys, it was Christian that was getting his named called for the plays he made. Christian in helping the Cowboys reach the state championship game collected 56 tackles with four tackles for a loss, intercepted three passes, deflected four passes, recovered two fumbles, and scored three defensive touchdowns.
8. Justin Weatherall, Pensacola Catholic, Soph.
DB Justin Weatherall, Pensacola Catholic [Photo Credit: @justinivory850/X]Weatherall was another major defensive contributor for the Crusaders in their deep playoff run that included a trip to the state semifinals. Weatherall racked up 46 tackles, three interceptions, broke up five passes, and forced two fumbles during the season.
9. Angel Lopez, Gadsden County (Havana), Sr.
DB Angel Lopez, Gadsden County (Havana) [Photo Credit: @ALo25ive/X]Lopez is another shutdown-type defensive back who gave opposing quarterbacks and receivers fits. For his 2023 stat line, Lopez intercepted five passes while racking up 25 tackles and breaking up 13 passes while helping the Jaguars reach the playoffs.
DB Nehemiah Chandler, Wakulla (Crawfordville) [Photo Credit: @nehemiah904/X]The Georgia Tech signee was one of the top defensive backs in the Tallahassee portion of the region, Chandler was rarely thrown at as he went up against the best receiver from opposing teams week in and week out during the season. Chandler finished his senior year with 35 tackles and one interception.
Honorable Mention: Eddie Guerra, Lincoln (Tallahassee), Soph.; Tyrell Marshall, Navarre, Sr.; C.J. Floyd, Pine Forest (Pensacola), Jr.; Tadarius Wright, Escambia (Pensacola), Sr., Landon Hawthorne, Mosley (Lynn Haven), Jr.; Carson Griffin, Mosley (Lynn Haven), Soph.; Ashton Gainer, North Florida Christian (Tallahassee), Sr.; Trevion Killete, Escambia (Pensacola), Sr.; Caden Collier, St. John Paul II (Tallahassee), Jr.; Devontae Roberts, Wakulla (Crawfordville), Jr.
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