As the 2026 high school football season draws near, the North Bay is emerging as a hotbed for defensive talent, with programs from Cardinal Newman to Casa Grande, Petaluma and beyond fielding players who are already attracting collegiate attention.
Early Honors and Recruitment Buzz
Among the standouts, Kordell Strane of Cardinal Newman earned co‑Most Valuable Player honors in the Redwood Empire Conference Adobe division after recording 43 tackles, six interceptions, two forced fumbles and a recovery as a junior. His performance has helped him secure early looks from Division I programs.
Ka’Vaughn Penney, also from Cardinal Newman, was named first‑team REC‑Adobe after posting 43 tackles and six interceptions, and he now holds offers from Sacramento State and Portland State. Meanwhile, Devonte Guevara contributed 49 tackles, five tackles for loss and two interceptions as a sophomore, while Jackson Drumm of Casa Grande added 32 tackles and two interceptions in his junior year.
William Tobar, another Casa Grande standout, led his team with 15 tackles and three interceptions across just five games, and Frank Rea from Healdsburg earned second‑team REC‑Mountain honors with 23 tackles and an interception. Will Hale of Petaluma was recognized on the second‑team REC‑Valley after compiling 47 tackles, three tackles for loss and three interceptions, and Latif Basile, a transfer from St. Helena, impressed in his sophomore season with 23 tackles, three tackles for loss and five interceptions.
The depth of talent extends to other schools such as American Canyon, Analy and Cloverdale, where coaches and recruiters are watching closely as these youngsters prepare to make their mark on the upcoming campaign.