The Long Beach area has consistently produced some of the best defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs in the Southern California high school football landscape.
Here are the top defensive players to watch in the Press-Telegram area during the 2026 high school football season.
TOP DEFENSIVE BACKS
Donte Wright, Long Beach Poly, Sr.: The five-star Miami commit had 25 tackles and two sacks last season. Wright, who is regarded by many as California’s top recruit, is also a dynamic kick returner with 10.69 100-meter speed. His 6-foot-1 frame and overall versatility may also allow him to see playing time at receiver this season.
Long Beach Poly’s Donte Wright (4) breaks up a pass intended for Northview’s Isaiah Lucero in the fourth quarter on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in CIF-SS Division 4 playoff action at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Julius Johnson, Long Beach Poly, Sr.: The five-star UCLA commit did not play his junior season due to injury. However, he’s long been a certified recruit, especially after he ran a blazing time of 10.34 in the 100 as a sophomore. At his best, he had 43 tackles, one sack, and one interception as a sophomore. He also had eight receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns that season. Just like Wright, he is likely to see time as another two-way player for Poly.
Long Beach Poly’s Julius Johnson (21) celebrates his pick-six with Toa Tamasoa (15) during the first half of a Moore League game between Long Beach Poly and Lakewood High at Lakewood High School on September 15, 2023.
(Photo by Michael Goulding/Contributing Photographer)
Isala Wily-Ava, St. John Bosco, Sr.: The Washington commit had 40 tackles and one interception last season.
Dillon Davis, St. John Bosco, Sr.: The Vanderbilt commit had 29 tackles and one interception last season. He also has a knack for finding the end zone with two defensive touchdowns.
Dorian Franklin, St. John Bosco, Sr.: The Harvard commit had 23 tackles last season.
Ja’shaun Shaffer, St. John Bosco, Sr.: The Northern Arizona commit had 14 tackles, two interceptions and one touchdown last season.
Brandon Nash, St. John Bosco, Jr.: The junior, who is being heavily recruited by Ohio State, had 24 tackles and one interception last season.
Johnny McNeil, St. Pius X-St. Matthias, Sr.: The speedy Oregon State cornerback commit has personal best times of 21.89 in the 200 and 48.17 in the 400.
Odell Simms, Millikan, Jr.: The three-star cornerback had 14 tackles and one interception last season.
Millikan’s Odell Simms addresses the media on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at Millikan High School in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Damani Porras, Downey, Sr.: The New Mexico commit had 34 tackles and six interceptions last season as a two-way player. He was also named Gateway League MVP.
Jemel Grigsby, Wilson, Jr.: The three-star recruit had 54 tackles and four interceptions, including a team-high 178 interception return yards. He is a playmaker on both sides of the ball.
Edward Rivera, Compton, Sr.: The Sacramento State commit is aiming to be the top defensive back in the Hub City League this season.
TOP LINEBACKERS
Josiah Poyer, St. John Bosco, Sr.: The USC commit had 54 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and seven sacks last season.
Ethan Coach, St. John Bosco, Sr.: The Washington commit had 17 tackles, one sack, and one touchdown last season.
Sevelino Taliauli, Long Beach Poly, Sr.: The Colorado State commit had 40 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks during his junior season at Servite.
Koa Marasco, Los Alamitos, Sr.: Marasco had 111 tackles, three sacks and one interception for the CIF-SS Division 2 champions last season.
Los Alamitos’ Koa Marasco (6) reacts after winning the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 football playoffs against San Juan Hills at Veterans Stadium, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Long Beach, Calif. (Photo by William Liang, Contributing Photographer)
TOP DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Richard Orosco, St. John Bosco, Sr.: The Washington State commit had 30 tackles and one sack last season.
Elijah Tuua, St. John Bosco, Jr.: The Folsom transfer is a four-star recruit. He had 29 tackles and two sacks as a sophomore.
Simote Tupou, St. John Bosco, Jr.: The Pine Crest Academy transfer from Nevada is a three-star recruit with six offers from Arizona, Cal, SMU, Hawaii, Colorado State and UNLV.
Kekoa Peko, St. John Bosco, Sr.: The Boise State commit had 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season.
David Nansen, Bellflower, So.: The 6-foot-3 edge rusher had 64 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a freshman. He already has four scholarship offers from Cal, Oregon State, Sacramento State and UNLV.
Centennial High School defensive tackle Magic Haynes participates in the first Hub City League Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Compton High School in Compton. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Magic Haynes, Compton Centennial, Sr.: The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Arizona State football commit played 8-man football at New Designs Charter School last season. He’s ready to show his potential as a Power 4 recruit in the Hub City League against district rivals Compton, Dominguez and Compton Early College.
Sammy Vai, Long Beach Poly, Jr.: Vai can and will play any position for the Jackrabbits on the offensive and defensive line. He didn’t play much his sophomore season due to injury but has been an unquestioned emotional leader at Poly since he was a freshman.