ROVER SAFETY

2021 players not returning: Shaq Bond (Graduation); Crew Wakley (Transfer Portal)

2022 post-spring ball attrition: Monte McGary (Transferred to Kansas)

Returning Players: Dusten Ramseyer-Burdett, Luke Marion, Hunter Reynolds, Dominic Tatum

New Faces in 2022:

Jett Solomon 5’10″ 190 (247 3*) – Desert Pines HS, NV
2021 (Sr.) Stats: 36 tackles 2.0 tackles-for-loss 1 INT 2 pass breakups; 10 receptions 145 yards 3 touchdowns. (Stats Not Complete)
2020 (Jr.) Stats: Season Cancelled Due To COVID
2019 (So.) Stats: 30 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss 2 INTs
Offers from: North Texas
Primary Recruiter: Ephraim Banda, Al Lapuaho
https://247sports.com/player/jett-solomon-46113605/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11231022/Jett-Solomon

2022 OUTLOOK

In regards to the NCAA-mandated eligibility freeze from the 2020 season, what I’ve learned is the player’s eligibility will continue to accrue. Once the player reaches his 4th or 5th season, depending on if the player uses a redshirt season, the player will have the option to return to school for a 5th or 6th season and continue playing one more season. The player will then move from being listed as a senior (Sr.) to a graduate senior (Gr-Sr.)

Making a strong case for the starting nod is redshirt junior Dominic Tatum. As a junior in 2021, Tatum started in 3 games before being lost for the season with an injury and taking a medical redshirt. Before being injured, he totaled 21 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and 2 pass breakups. As a sophomore in 2020, he played in all 6 games with 2 starts and making 19 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss, and 2 pass breakups. As a true freshman in 2019, he played in 5 games and was credited with 3 tackles and 2 pass breakups. As a senior at Culver City High (CA) in 2018, Tatum racked up 94 tackles, 2 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, and 2 fumble recoveries. Tatum’s father JerRon was an Aggie wide receiver in the early 2000s. Tatum spurned offers from several Mountain West programs including Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV, and an offer from the former Aggie coaching staff at BIG 12 program Texas Tech. Tatum is a hard worker with a great football IQ. He is a defensive back with nice size and he makes the most of it in coverage to counter bigger receivers while covering large parts of the field with his speed. He moves very fluidly on tape, whether he’s moving forward, backward, or sideways, he looks very smooth running around the field. He is a very athletic, versatile player who is capable of playing any position in the defensive backfield.

Pushing hard for the starting gig is graduate senior Hunter Reynolds. As a senior in 2021, Reynolds played in all 14 games with 12 starts and racked up 83 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup, and 1 fumble recovery. Reynolds joined the Aggies last summer after spending the first four seasons of his career at the University of Michigan. As a junior at Michigan in 2020, he played in all 6 games and totaled 16 tackles and 1.0 tackles-for-loss. As a sophomore in 2019, he saw action in 12 games and was credited with 5 tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss. As a redshirt in 2018, he saw action in 1 game and logged 1 tackle. He was also named Co-Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year. As a true freshman in 2017, he spent the season redshirting. Reynolds is another defensive back that should be able to draw a lot of read and recognition of the opposing offenses thanks to his time as a wide receiver. He is good at working the opposing quarterback with his eyes and baiting throws in his direction. He has good ball skills once the ball is in the air. He enjoys making the big hit and he does not shy away from contact. He is versatile enough that he could play several different spots in the secondary if necessary.

Hoping to make an early impact is redshirt sophomore, Luke Marion. As a sophomore in 2021, he saw action in 1 game but did not record any stats and was able to maintain his redshirt status. As a true freshman in 2020, he played in 3 games, starting in 1, and logged 3 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 pass breakup. As a senior at Tualatin High (OR) in 2019, Marion earned Oregon Class 6-A first-team all-Three Rivers League honors at defensive back. As a junior in 2018, he earned second-team all-league honors at defensive back. His father is 12 NFL Pro Bowl veteran Brock Marion. Marion is an extremely physical safety who isn’t afraid of laying a big hit. He runs all over the field and can cover quite a lot of ground. He is at his best coming in on the play, whether it’s in run support or coming to tackle an underneath receiver. He diagnoses the play well and shades over into a position to give him an advantage. He is blessed with a high football IQ.

Competing to make a move up the depth chart is true freshman Jett Solomon. As a senior at Desert Pines High (NV) in 2021, Solomon tallied 36 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, and 2 pass breakups. As a junior in 2020, he had his season canceled due to covid. As a sophomore in 2019, he saw plenty of varsity action and accumulated 30 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, and 2 interceptions. Solomon has a knack for tracking the ball in the air thanks to his time as a wide receiver. He also does a solid job in run support, stepping up into the box and delivering crushing hits on ball carriers. He has great vision on the field and is a threat to score with the ball in his hands. He is a good overall athlete and it won’t be long before he is on the field in one way or another.

Adding depth to the position is redshirt junior preferred walk-on Dusten Ramseyer-Burdett. As a junior in 2021, Ramseyer-Burdett spent the season redshirting per NCAA requirements after transferring to Utah State from Linfield College (OR). His would-be junior season of 2020 was canceled due to covid. As a sophomore at Linfield College in 2019, complied 39 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks, 2 interceptions returning 1 for a touchdown, and 2 pass breakups. As a true freshman in 2018, he saw action in 5 games but was not credited with any stats. Ramseyer-Burdett is an extremely physical player. He enjoys punishing opposing offensive players every opportunity he gets. He’s got good ball skills and knows how to make a break on the football once it is in the air. He is a solid form tackler and does a good job of wrapping up on the ball carrier.

PROJECTED 2022 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART

ROVER SAFETY
4 Dominic Tatum (6-3, 180, RsJr., 3L, 3*) OR
27 Hunter Reynolds (6-0, 200, GR-Sr., 1L, NR)
16 Luke Marion (6-0, 180, RsSo., 1L, 3*)
25 Jett Solomon (5-10, 190, Fr., HS, 3*)
36 Dusten Ramseyer-Burdett (5-11, 180, RsJr., RS, NR)

Coming Up On Saturday: Special Teams