Walt Wells may be known as an offensive coach, but his teams have shown that they take defense seriously, and his 2025 unit returns some key players who could help his program get over the hump. The defense struggled against FBS teams last year, but once they got into their conference schedule, they held most teams in check and did a great job of containing opposing offenses. The staff will have a tall task on their hands this weekend with the balanced attack of the Cardinals on the opposing sideline.
Jeremiah Bailey returns to lead the three-man front for the Colonels after a strong sophomore season. Bailey led the defensive line in tackles last year while also being among the team leaders in tackles for loss, sacks, and QB hurries. Gabe Fletcher also returns after a productive season as a reserve last year. They should combine to make up a solid defensive end combo to push the Cards’ rebuilt offensive line in game one.
EKU runs a true 3-4 defense with two outside linebackers, and they will have two of their best players returning there. Gabe Stevens led the team in sacks and forced fumbles last year and those sacks came off of some pretty impressive pass rushes where he beat offensive tackles around the edge. Cam Junior is a team leader on the opposite side of the field, which the team needs, as they will be breaking in two new starters in the middle.
Kaden Smith and Brody Wells are two young players who saw the field as reserves last year, but I’d be surprised if former UofL commit Khatavian Franks didn’t push them for a starting spot. Franks played the last two years at Duquesne, and his experience may help him get the nod. Smith finished the year with 14 tackles, so I would expect him to get the start with Franks.
The secondary is where the Colonels have the most talent. Former UK defensive back Vito Tisdale will line up at one cornerback spot for the second year. Tisdale had a solid season in 2024 with 35 tackles and 8 PBUs. He was susceptible to a penalty flag here and there, but I think the staff takes the good with the bad with him. Tisdale doesn’t have great size, but he is aggressive and should give it a go with UofL’s outside receivers. I doubt that he will shy away from the challenge.
Aden Tagaloa-Nelson is the likely starter on the other side after transferring in from West Virginia. I think that he will line up on the boundary as he is a bigger player with some experience at the P4 level. ATN (I’m going with it) should see more snaps against Chris Bell, and at 6-1/202, I think it will be interesting to see if he can hold up to Bell’s physicality.
Safety is another strong spot for EKU with Jaheim Ward returning as a preseason All-American pick. Ward had 66 tackles, 5 TFLs, and 8 PBUs last year to go along with an absurd amount of penalties from what I saw on film. Ward plays fast, and he looks for opportunities to make big hits and impact plays. I think he will be a guy that Jeff Brohm keys on for play-action passes and other deep throws down the field, as he can make errors looking for the big play.
