UC Davis Football Preview: Defensive Backs

Aug 21, 2024, 7:30 AM

UC Davis football runs through drills as they prepare for the season-opener on August 31st vs. Cal....

(UC Davis Athletics)

Sactown Sports

This story was originally published by UC Davis Athletics

UC Davis football’s highly talented and veteran group of defensive backs have many snaps under their belt together and with that returning collection Aggies leading the secondary, teams should find it to get explosive plays down the field.

“We play a fast, physical style of football,” said assistant coach Evan Hicks (safeties). “We’re also going to be sound in our assignments, while allowing our guys to showcase their abilities each Saturday.”

The Aggie secondary put up national numbers during the 2023 season, helping the Aggie defense finish ranked 29th in the nation in passes intercepted (11) and 49th in defensive team passing efficiency, holding teams to just 126.6 passing yards per game.

UC Davis Football: Defensive Backs Preview

Leading the returners is 2024 Buck Buchanan Preseason Watch List honoree and FCS Preseason All-American (second team) Rex Connors. Connors finished the season with a defensive back leading 59 total tackles (36 solo; 23 assisted), despite only playing seven games. He also had six pass break ups, one interception and 2.5 tackles for loss and he represents the leading returning tackler on the Aggie defense.

“Rex stands out, and I think he has a feel for the game unlike many others,” said Hicks. He’s unique in that area where he just does a good job of being in the right place at the right time.”

Not alone in bringing back numbers, junior Markeece Alexander finished with 33 total tackles (25 solo; eight assisted) and a team high 10 pass break ups. Alexander’s 10 passes defended placed him 30th in the nation and fourth in the Big Sky.

“We’ve got a lot of good guys coming back with our corners,” said assistant coach DuMaurier Jordan (cornerbacks). “Markeece has a lot of snaps under his belts, which makes us excited for what he can do this year.”

Junior Lamont Shamburger (45 tackles) and senior Kavir Bains (43 tackles) round out the experienced Aggies returning for 2024. “Kavir is a bit of a Swiss Army Knife for us, and this year I expect him to have a much bigger role for us,” said Hicks.

Graduate Semaj Verner and juniors Christian Calhoun, Blake Cotton and Jayden Stanley also bring with them game experience having each seen time either on special teams or on the starting defense. Seniors Mario Minor and Jacob Horne, redshirt junior Gaven Cooke, junior Darien Langley, sophomores Devon Gusta, Boston Stovall, Jack Morton and William Fowler all bring with them time in the Aggie secondary room to strengthen the depth of an already strong unit.

Redshirt junior transfer Tyson McWilliams (Cal) joins incoming freshman Jordan Jones as new incomers to round out the Aggie defensive back group.

“All year, our guys will be flying around making plays,” said Jordan. “They are going to play good techniques and be physical, technical and aggressive. Which hopefully will make us a real challenge for teams to deal with all season.”

Opposing offenses will find it hard to throw the ball deep against the Aggie secondary, and with a physical mindset the Aggie defensive backs will also be playing downhill punishing opposing runners who risk entering the UC Davis secondary.

This story was originally published by UC Davis Athletics