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OSAA Football Preview: Salem-Keizer's Best Defensive Backs

tabnews August 18, 2024
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The 2024 Oregon high school football season is upon us, with Week 1 starting in less than a month. The Statesman Journal takes a closer look at the best returning players in the Salem-Keizer area at every position.

Next up: the defensive backs. Here are some of the best cornerbacks and safeties from the region.

The list was based on responses from coaches as well as statistics and year-end awards from the 2023 season.

Salem-Keizer Defensive Backs to Watch in 2024

Jackson Buckingham, Sr., South Salem

Buckingham was an honorable mention all-league selection last season and will help lead South Salem's secondary while also taking on a more prominent role as a receiver.

“He's a really, really good football player. He's always in the right place,” said South Salem coach Josh Vanlue. “I'm happy for him to have a breakout year on offense and continue what he did last year on defense.”

Con Coelho, sr., Amity

Coelho was a member of the league's second team last season and will be an influential player for Amity in multiple roles this fall.

“He has a great understanding of football and a feel for the ball,” said Amity coach Bobby Walker. “Just a great athlete.”

Trayton Futi, Sr., Sprague

Futi, a ball-hungry free safety who was named second-team All-League in 2023, participated in last year's Les Schwab Bowl and has drawn interest from colleges such as Western Oregon, Linfield, Pacific, George Fox and Willamette.

“Trayton is a strong hitter. He has great hands and always hits in the right spot,” Sprague coach AJ Robinson said. “Trayton will be a college player and will have a big impact in this league.”

Josiah Hawkins, so., Cascade

Hawkins made a name for himself as a freshman last fall, earning a first-team all-league selection for Cascade. The two-way standout will be a key player at both slot receiver and cornerback in 2024.

Andrew Keena, Sr. and Drew Withee, Sr., Jefferson

Keena and Withee both received honorable mention All-League selections last season and will lead Jefferson's talented secondary this fall.

Romyl Luster, Sr., South Salem

Luster was selected to the league's second team last fall and will set the tone for the Saxons' secondary in 2024.

“He's one of those cornerbacks that you feel comfortable with, that you can say, 'Hey, you've got this receiver. We don't have to worry about him,'” South Salem coach Josh Vanlue said. “He's as good as it gets when it comes to man coverage.”

Diego Medina, Sr., St. Paul

Medina was an honorable mention All-State 1A selection for St. Paul last season, and he will be a difference maker this fall in both the secondary and as a running back.

“Really good player; a great student and just a very athletic player,” said St. Paul coach Tony Smith. “He's very fast.”

Jakai Phillips, Jr., North Salem

Phillips is a standout both-way player who also excels at running back and will look to build on his strong sophomore season.

“Jakai is a special running back and cornerback. He is one of our best athletes,” said North Salem coach Caleb Singleton. “He has the potential to be an all-league player on both sides of the ball.”

Bill Riecke, sr., Blanchet Catholic

Riecke was part of the second division team for Blanchet Catholic last season.

Braxton Singleton, Jr., North Salem

Singleton was selected to the All-League second team on both sides of the ball as a sophomore and was one of the area's most disruptive defenders in 2023, recording 56 tackles, three pass breakups and five interceptions.

“Braxton is our best player and overall the best athlete in town,” said North Salem coach Caleb Singleton.

Hayden Tibbs, so., Scio

As a freshman last season, Tibbs played a lot of games for the team, and he will take on an even more important role for Scio this fall.

“Exceptional ball skills,” Scio coach Ty Hargis said. “He's a great route runner and a ball hunter on defense.”

Evan Wusstig, Jr., West Salem

Wusstig was selected to the all-league first team as a defensive back and received honorable mention all-state honors as a receiver last fall, making him one of the best returning 6A safeties in the state.

He represented West Salem in the Les Schwab Bowl last year and received an invitation to the University of Oregon's prestigious Saturday Night Live event in July.

Jarrid Denney covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at [email protected] or at X @jarrid_denney

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