We continue our position preview with a look at a group that features five players who saw signficant time last season. Let’s take a look at the defensive backfield, which is led by new position coach Perry Eliano, who came from Toledo with Vince Kehres.
Before we get into the break down, here’s the players who comprise Fran Brown’s favorite position group:
- Rayshon Andrews
- Ziyyon Bredell
- Bradley Chandler
- Jai Eugene Jr.
- Chase Geter
- Cam Hairston-Taylor
- Tedarius Hughes
- Terrance Johnson
- Davien Kerr
- Javon Lawrence
- Braheem Long Jr.
- Chris Peal
- Cornell Perry
- Nate Prater
- Demetres Samuel Jr.
- Amare Snowden
- Darnell Stokes Jr.
- James Trotter
- Ibn-Wadu Muhammad
- Nazir Ward
- Marcus Washington Jr.
We start off with the corners. Chris Peal is rising up the NFL Draft boards as he enters his 2nd season with the Orange. The 6’1” corner plays
with physicality and can also help out in the run game. Peal doesn’t have an interception in his college career, but expect that to change this year.
In part because teams won’t be able to ignore his side of the field with Demetres Samuel on the opposite corner. Samuel was targeted early and often last year but as a 17-year old true freshman, he broke up nine passes. There’s a lot of talk about Samuel playing some receiver but the Orange wouldn’t mind seeing him get the ball in his hands on defense.
Cornell Perry, Braheem Long and Davien Kerr saw a lot of playing time last year and that could pay dividends in 2026. Kerr led the team with three interceptions last year and this 0-star recruit is another player who can turn defense into offense. He’s likely see a lot of time against the opponent’s top slot receiver.
Long and Perry were among the team’s top tacklers last year and will be counted on to support the run defense again this year. They need to show more consistency, especially in their angles, to limit opponents from those explosive runs that hurt the Orange in 2025.
Ward and Lawrence are the second-unit corners but Hairston-Taylor and Geter have shown some potential in camp and could push for time as the season progresses. Washington, Eugene and Hughes are players pushing for backup safety spots while the others will look to contribute on special teams. There are a lot of talented athletes in this group, but they need to translate those traits into ability to cover without penalties to see more time.
It’s been mentioned in the discussion that the defensive backs and defensive line can help each other out more in 2026. If the secondary holds up in coverage, it gives the line more time to get home. If the line can get quick pressure in the backfield, the secondary can benefit from hurried throws.
This is a talented starting group that has some questions should injuries arise. The success of the secondary could depend on how quickly some young players are ready to contribute and how Peal and Samuel hold up over the season.
I’d be shocked if this group doesn’t improve on the five interceptions of last year’s group.
