2022 Preview: Defensive Backs

RETURNERS: Kameryn Alexander, Trey Smith, Isaiah Downes, Darrel Hawkins-Williams, Donovan Adkins, Daniel North, Emon Allen, David Fisher, Nick Chrest, Taylen Blaylock, Tobias Weaver, RJ Bendert, Savien Arnett, Christian Williams, Truman Bexley, Quan Williams, Caleb Weaver, Carson Horner
NEWCOMERS: Da'Veawn Armstead, Jordan Morris, BJ Foster, Jaidan Scott, Jadarius Brown, Jacobe Chester

HUNTSVILLE – For a position group who lost three 5-year starters, the Sam Houston defensive backs could be one of the strengths of the team in 2022.

Gone to the NFL are the McCollum twins and Jaylen Thomas, but the return of players such as cornerback Kameryn "Speedy" Alexander, and safeties Isaiah Downes and Darrel Hawkins-Williams give the Kats an experienced foundation for its newcomers and talented youngsters to look toward this season.

That group of newcomers is headlined by former Texas safety BJ Foster, while transfers Jordan Morris (Coastal Carolina) and Da'Veawn Armstead (TCU) join the group from some of the most successful programs in the FBS in recent seasons.

"It's not easy to replace the guys we lost. They were great young men on and off the field, but we feel like some of the new guys we have that we will be in the thick of things," co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Clayton Carlin said.

One of the likely players to make that impact is Foster, who was the No. 1 safety recruit in the nation coming out of Angleton High School after the 2017 season. The 6-2, 200-pounder spent the last four seasons at Texas where he played in 43 games in the Longhorns' secondary, earning all-Big 12 honorable mention honors a year ago after leading UT with three interceptions.

"The guy who jumps out is BJ Foster," Carlin said. "He's been an absolute pleasure and a joy to coach. He's been awesome both on the field and off the field, so we are excited to have him. He's very knowledgeable about the game and very physical player who we expect a lot out of."

A versatile player with the ability to excel not only in coverage, but downhill in run defense, Foster's arrival in Huntsville extends an already strong family legacy at Sam Houston where his mother – Yolanda Royston – is in the Hall of Honor as one of the top Bearkat volleyball players in program history.

"My mom loves it that I'm here," Foster said. "She was big on me coming here and that was a big part of my decision. My sister attended Sam Houston, so I'm the third Bearkat in the family."

Along with Foster, Morris and Armstead were veteran transfer additions the coaches felt could add immediate assistance to an otherwise youthful group. Morris should see immediate action at cornerback after playing 29 games in his career at Coastal Carolina and helping the Chanticleers to a 22-3 record and a pair of Cure Bowl appearances over the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Armstead is a safety who was one of the top recruits out of the State of Louisiana after the 2020 season and played in 10 games as a true freshman a year ago at TCU.

"Jordan played a ton at Coastal and Da'Veawn is just so athletic," Carlin said. "I love what they have given us this summer and so far through camp, and I fully expect them to both be impactful guys for us this year."

Another player the Kats will be looking to take a step forward will be Alexander, who is coming off his best season as a Bearkat in 2021. He is a long, physical cornerback in the mold the Bearkats like, and has seen his role steadily increase in his first three years with the team.

He already has 28 games played to his credit and set career highs in tackles, TFLs and passes defended last year, in addition to picking off his first two passes.

"I was able to learn from guys like Zyon (McCollum) and Jaylen (Thomas) over the past few years and now it's my turn to step up, and also to pass that knowledge down to the younger guys," Alexander said. "I want to see them do great here, just like the guys before me wanted to see me do great."

Some of those younger corners that Alexander will set an example for include redshirt freshmen David Fisher and Emon Allen, both of whom should see plenty of field time in 2022. They were part of a signing class two years ago that was heavy in talented defensive backs, a theme the Kats carried over to its last class with the additions of true freshmen such as Jacobe Chester, Jadarius Brown and Jaidan Scott.

Even as a true freshman a year ago, Allen was able to get on the field and get a taste of the college level a year ago with four games played. He brings a speed element that should lend well on the outside, but also in the return game where he could factor into returns.

Meanwhile, the Kats are also very excited about the opportunity to get Fisher on the field at cornerback in 2022. One of the top signees prior to the 2021 season, he was a high-end defensive back prospect out of Pearland's Dawson High School and carries a physical style that partners with plenty of speed to hold his own when he sees his first on-field action as a Kat.

Also, Downes and Hawkins-Williams should factor in prominently to the Kats' defensive plans. Downes, a senior cornerback, provided plenty of heroics during the Kats' playoff run in the Spring of 2021, but battled injuries throughout the fall, limiting him to only six games on the field. But having him on the field gives the secondary immense versatility, especially with Downes' coverage ability.

Hawkins-Williams, meanwhile, saw a huge increase in field time with Downes' absence and positioned himself well for a big year after racking up 32 tackles in 2021. He, along with fellow defensive backs Donovan Adkins, Trey Smith, Taylen Blaylock, Tobias Weaver and Caleb Weaver – help give the Kats tremendous depth on the back end.

2022 Preview: Defensive Backs

Players Mentioned

Donovan Adkins

Emon Allen

Da'Veawn Armstead

Savien Arnett

RJ Bendert

Truman Bexley

Taylen Blaylock

Jadarius Brown

Jacobe Chester

Nick Chrest

Isaiah Downes

David Fisher

BJ Foster

Darrel Hawkins-Williams

Carson Horner

Jordan Morris

Daniel North

Jaidan Scott

Trey Smith

Jaylen Thomas

Caleb Weaver

Tobias Weaver

Christian Williams

Quan Williams

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