College Football

NAU football season preview: Defense and special teams

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:57 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Senior strong safety LeAndre Vaughn and senior linebacker Jake Thomas are the leaders of an Northern Arizona defensive unit that should be bolstered by the return of several key players who are returning from injury.

The Lumberjacks' kicking game will have a new look with the graduation of All-American Ryan Hawkins, who handled both punting and place-kicking responsibilities.

Cornerback: Maurice Davison started five games last season as a true freshman and recorded 31 tackles. He's competing with junior Mo White II, who is returning from a injury-marred season. Also returning from injury is Ronnie Manning, who's battling for playing time with sophomore Cole Sterns, who appeared in 10 games last season and recorded 24 tackles. Myles Dumas could make his presence felt as an incoming freshman.

Safety: Senior LeAndre Vaughn had 62 tackles and two interceptions last season after transferring in from Glendale Community College. He's joined by junior Wes Sutton, who's making the transition from cornerback after starting five games last season. Senior Keith Graham and sophomore Kam'ron Johnson are battling for the free-safety position. Added to the mix are incoming recruits Jairus Woodson and Desi Ethridge.

Nickelback: Orange Coast College transfer Brandon Worthy, redshirt freshman Ryan Phillippe and incoming freshmen Ju'Shawnte Spann and Khalil Dorsey will be trying to establish themselves among a young group of nickelback candidates.

Linebacker: Senior Jake Thomas started all 11 games a year ago and was third on the team in tackles with 68 and second in tackles for loss with 7.5. The only other linebacker with starting experience is sophomore Jake Casteel, who made one start and was credited with 39 tackles as a freshman. Senior Xavier Stephens, sophomores Billy McEowen and Tristan Vance, junior transfer Byron Evans and freshman Taylor Powell will be in the mix for playing time. Evans was an all-conference performer at Glendale CC, recording 128 tackles.

Defensive line: Seven different Lumberjacks have starting experience, led by junior tackle John Herrero, who made 10 starts a year ago and led the down linemen with 34 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. Seniors Siupeli Anau and Lorenzo Melvin are expected to be key contributors as they return from injuries. Anau missed the entire season with a shoulder injury, and Melvin's season was cut short after seven games. Prominent newcomers include transfers Junior Olie and James Walton and freshman Carson Taylor.

Kickers: Incoming freshmen Griffin Roehler and Luis Aguilar, both in-state recruits, will compete to fill Hawkins' roles. Roehler set a 4A state record with 47 PATs, and Aguilar never missed an extra point during his high school career.

Return specialists: The Lumberjacks return a pair of experienced return men in Elijah Marks and Kendyl Taylor. Marks returned eight kicks for 202 yards and four punts for 47 yards, and Taylor had six kick returns for 124 yards.

share

Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

College Football

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks