Of all of the position groups in Southern Nevada high school football, some of the area’s most sought-after recruits are defensive backs.
Former Bishop Gorman safety and 2026 graduate Jett Washington was Nevada’s top recruit in last year’s senior class. Now, another Gorman defensive back is among the nation’s top recruits at one of the deepest positions in the state.
Here is a look at the top five returning high school football defensive backs in Southern Nevada entering the season. (Players are listed in alphabetical order).
Rysen-James Dacosin-Arcala, Liberty
Dacosin-Arcala was named the 5A Lake League defensive player of the year in 2025 as a junior. He recorded 38 tackles, nine for loss, two sacks, six interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Dacosin-Arcala, listed at 6 feet and 180 pounds, was a first-team Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada selection and first-team 5A Lake League safety by the coaches. He holds Division I offers from Colorado State and Washington State.
Kamil Loud, Bishop Gorman
Loud has been one of the faster-rising recruits in the city. He committed to California in June and had 26 Division I offers. Other notable offers Loud holds include Miami, Florida State, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin, Auburn and Arkansas. As a junior last year, Loud was a first-team 5A Desert League cornerback by the coaches with 18 tackles and three pass breakups in nine games played for the Open Division state-champion Gaels. Loud is a four-star class of 2027 recruit by 247Sports as the state’s No. 2-ranked prospect by the site.
Maxwell Miles, Centennial
Miles has risen as one of the top recruits in the area with several big-time schools interested in the safety. As a junior last year, Miles recorded 77 tackles and six interceptions to help the Bulldogs reach the 5A Southern Region title game and was a Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada second-team defensive back. Miles, listed at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, was also the 5A state runner-up in the long jump in track and field to help Centennial win the 5A team state title and was a boys track and field Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada second-team selection. Miles committed to Minnesota in June after previously verbally committing to Michigan. Miles is listed as a three-star class of 2027 recruit by 247Sports as the state’s seventh-ranked recruit in the class. He has other notable Division I offers from California, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, UNLV, Boise State, Washington State and Oregon State.
Pesi Silva, Jr., Bishop Gorman
Silva’s strong junior year helped the Gaels have one of the most dominant defenses in the country. Silva had 33 tackles and four interceptions as a sophomore, which helped the Gaels finish 2025 ranked No. 2 nationally by USA Today and allow just 64 points in 12 games. Silva was a first-team Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada defensive back and a first-team 5A Desert League selection by the coaches. The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back holds Division I offers from North Carolina, UNLV, New Mexico, Hawaii, Sacramento State and Idaho.
Hayden Stepp, Bishop Gorman
Stepp has continued the trend of Bishop Gorman defensive backs being the top recruit in Nevada. Stepp is a four-star class of 2027 recruit and Nevada’s top prospect. He’s rated by 247Sports as the 60th-ranked class of 2027 recruit nationally and fifth-ranked cornerback. As a junior last year, Stepp had 24 tackles and four pass breakups, and was a first-team Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada selection as the Gaels won the Open Division state title. Stepp is a five-star and No. 16 class of 2027 prospect by ESPN. Stepp has 58 tackles, 12 pass breakups and three interceptions in his high school career at Gorman. Stepp committed to Oregon in July over Alabama and California. The 6-foot-3 and 190-pound cornerback had 40 Division I offers, with other schools such as LSU, Miami, Ohio State, Tennessee and Notre Dame among Stepp’s notable offers.
Others to watch: Jemari Arnold, Liberty; Ace Brimmer Faith Lutheran; Carter Christensen, Liberty; Jerome Johnson, Sloan Canyon; King Kahalewai, Spring Valley; Jaden Mason, Faith Lutheran; Azavier McDaniel, Bishop Gorman; Nasier Thomas, CIVICA Academy; Portland Yandall, Mater East.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
