STRONG SAFETY

2022 players not returning: Luke Marion (Transfer Portal), Hunter Reynolds (Graduation), Wes Wright (Left Team)

2023 post-spring ball attrition: None

Returning Players: Omari Okeke, Dusten Ramseyer-Burdett

New Faces in 2023:

Devin Dye 6’1″ 185 (247 3*) – Palomar CC, CA – (3 years to play 3)
2022 (RsFr.) Stats: 59 tackles 2.0 tackles-for-loss 2 INTs 1 pass breakup
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 6 tackles
Offers from: Akron, Austin Peay, Bryant, Eastern Illinois, Idaho St, Missouri St, Northern Arizona, Old Dominion, Stephen F. Austin, Southwest Minnesota St, Tennessee St, Tennessee-Martin, UNLV, UTEP
Primary Recruiter: Nick Paremski, Ephraim Banda
https://247sports.com/player/devin-dye-46084379/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/16350711/devin-dye

Javar Strong 6’3″ 185 (247 3*) – Hutchinson CC, KS – (3 years to play 3)
2022 (RsFr.) Stats: 48 tackles 0.5 tackles-for-loss 1 INT 2 pass breakups 1 forced fumble 1 fumble recovery
2021 (Fr.) Stats: Sat out the 2021 season in the transfer portal
2020 (Fr.) Stats: 20 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss at Arkansas State University
Offers from: None
Original Offers from: Alabama St, Arkansas St, Charlotte, Incarnate Word, Jacksonville St, zKent St, Lamar, Long Island, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Nebraska, New Mexico St, Northern Arizona, Old Dominion, South Alabama, Tennessee Tech, UTEP, Western Kentucky
Primary Recruiter: Nick Paremski, Ethan Morriss
https://247sports.com/Player/Javar-Strong-46085009/high-school-236494/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/10971821/Javar-Strong

Kadiyon Sweat 6’0″ 185 (247 3*) – Lehi HS, UT
2022 (Sr.) Stats: 57 tackles 3.0 tackles-or-loss 10 INTS 8 pass breakups 1 forced fumble
2021 (Jr.) Stats: 73 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss 9 INTS 10 pass breakups; 12 receptions 194 yards 3 TDs
2020 (So.) Stats: 60 tackles 2 INTS 5 pass breakups
2019 (Fr.) Stats: 27 tackles 5 INTs 6 pass breakups
Offers from: Air Force, Bryant, Colorado St, Eastern Washington, Idaho, Idaho St, Weber St
Primary Recruiter: Ephraim Banda
https://247sports.com/Player/Kadiyon-Sweat-46128429/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12739708/Kadiyon-Sweat

2023 OUTLOOK

Regarding the NCAA-mandated eligibility freeze from the 2020 season, I’ve learned 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.)

JAVAR STRONG
Sophomore junior college transfer Javar Strong came into spring ball and began competing for a starting spot immediately. Strong joins the Aggies after spending a season at Hutchinson Community College (KS). He has three years of eligibility remaining. As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Strong rolled up 48 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. As a covid true freshman in 2021, he sat out the 2021 season in the transfer portal. Strong actually began his collegiate career playing for Aggie Head Coach Blake Anderson at Arkansas State in 2020 where he was credited with 20 tackles and 1.0 tackle-for-loss. Strong has nice size at the safety spot. He is a very good athlete and should make an immediate impact in the secondary. He covers a lot of ground with his long strides. He likes to get a running start and blast into opposing ball carriers, putting them on the ground with one big, vicious hit. He reads plays well and puts himself in a position to make a tackle. He excels at making an interception and aggressively looks to gain a lot of yards after the catch.

OMARI OKEKE
Senior Omari Okeke will battle for the backup spot behind Strong. As a junior in 2022, Okeke played in 10 games with 1 start and logged 18 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, and 1 pass breakup. Okeke joined the Aggies last summer after beginning his collegiate career in the junior college ranks. Okeke began his collegiate career at Cerritos Community College (CA) and has 3 years to complete his final 2 seasons of eligibility. As a covid-sophomore in 2021, Okeke tallied 15 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks, and 1 pass breakup in just 4 games before an injury forced him to miss the rest of the season. As a sophomore in 2020, his season was canceled due to covid. As a true freshman in 2019, he turned in a strong season pulling in 35 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss, 2 interceptions, 1 pass breakup, and 1 fumble recovery. Okeke is a long, rangy athlete. He is versatile enough to play several positions in the defensive secondary. He is a physical force in the run game and is not only capable of making the big hit but he is a sound, reliable tackler as well. He has a wide range of coverage skills and can play both zone and man coverage. He does a good job of diagnosing, reading, and reacting to opposing offensive plays.

DEVIN DYE
Sophomore Devin Dye will be battling for the backup gig. Dye joined the Aggies after beginning his collegiate career in the junior college ranks. He has three years of eligibility remaining. Dye chose to become an Aggie over offers from Akron, Austin Peay, Bryant, Eastern Illinois, Idaho State, Missouri State, Northern Arizona, Old Dominion, Stephen F. Austin, Southwest Minnesota State, Tennessee State, Tennessee-Martin, UNLV, and UTEP. Dye is the son of former Major League Baseball star Jermaine Dye. As a redshirt freshman at Palomar Community College (CA) in 2022, Dye totaled 59 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, 2 interceptions, and 1 pass breakup. As a true freshman in 2021, he was credited with 6 tackles, before missing the rest of the season with an injury and choosing to redshirt. Dye roams the field, tracking the ball in the air. He does a good job of ensuring he can get in position to get his hands on the ball. He excels as a deep safety who can break up passes on long routes. He has exceptional speed and can break on passes quickly. Not only is he a safety who is great in pass coverage but he can also step in to help stop the run. He does not shy away from contact. Dye is talented enough to see the field this season.

DUSTIN RAMSEYER-BURDETT
Adding depth to the position is senior preferred walk-on Dusten Ramseyer-Burdett. Due to the COVID NCAA eligibility extension, Ramseyer-Burdett has one more season of eligibility beyond 2023 remaining. As a redshirt junior in 2022, Ramseyer-Burdett saw action in 2 games but did not record any stats. As a junior in 2021, he 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.

KADIYON SWEAT
Looking to jump right in and compete is true freshman Kadiyon Sweat. Sweat chose to become an Aggie over offers from Air Force, Bryant, Colorado State, Eastern Washington, Idaho, Idaho State, and Weber State. As a senior at Lehi High (UT) in 2022, Sweat rolled up 57 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 10 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble. As a junior in 2021, he racked up 73 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 9 interceptions, and 10 pass breakups. As a sophomore in 2020, he totaled 60 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 5 pass breakups. As a freshman in 2019, he was credited with 27 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 6 pass breakups. Sweat has been one of the top ball hawks in Utah High School Football history. He tracks the ball well in the air and has great hands which allow him to come down with the interception. He also excels at high-pointing the football often out battling an opposing wide receiver for the football. Sweat plays mostly free safety, but when he comes in to make a tackle, he is a violent hitter in the open field.

PROJECTED 2023 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART

STRONG SAFETY
3 Javar Strong (6-3, 195, So., JC, 3*)
5 Omari Okeke (6-2, 195, Sr., JC, NR)
16 Devin Dye (6-0, 185, So., JC, 3*)
36 Dusten Ramseyer-Burdett (5-11, 190, Sr*., SQ, NR)
31 Kadiyon Sweat (6-0, 190, Fr., HS, 3*)

Coming Up On Monday: Cornerback