CORNERBACK
Returning players: Avante Dickerson, JD Drew, Noah Flores, Jaiden Francois
2023 players not returning: Mike Anyanwu (graduation), Gabriel Bryan (transfer portal), Xavion Steele (graduation)
2024 post-spring ball attrition: Al Ashford (transferred to Northern Arizona University), Jaylen Martin (transfer portal), Ja’Kheo Mitchell (transferred to Gardner-Webb University), Andre Seldon (passed away), David Sterzer (left team)
2023 total production lost: 43 games, 14 starts, 65 tackles, 8 pass breakups 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
2023 total production returning: 34 games, 20 starts, 101 tackles 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sacks, 1 interception, 14 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 1 touchdown
2023 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 50 games, 50 starts, 154 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, 3 interceptions, 28 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery, 2 blocked kicks
New Faces in 2024:
Mason Edwards 6’2″ 190 (247 2*) – Hutchinson CC, KS – (3 years to play 2)
2023 (So.) Stats: 7 tackles 0.5 tackles-for-loss 4 pass breakups
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 7 tackles
Offers from: Akron, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Primary Recruiter: Ethan Morriss
https://247sports.com/Player/mason-edwards-46146013/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12923258/Mason-Edwards
EJ Fisk 5’11” 170 (247 3*) – East Central CC, MS – (3 years to play 2)
2023 (So.) Stats: 36 tackles 2.0 tackles-for-loss 2 pass breakups
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 10 tackles 1.0 tackle-for-loss 1 INT 4 pass breakups
Offers from: Temple, Tennesse-Martin, Troy St
Primary Recruiter: Jaylen Ortiz
https://247sports.com/player/ej-fisk-46143078/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11331558/EJ-Fisk
Davon Graham 6’0″ 203 (247 3*) – University of Oklahoma – (2 years to play 2)
2023 (Jr.) Stats: Redshirted at Oklahoma
2022 (So.) Stats: 14 tackles 2 pass breakups
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 37 tackles 1 INT 1 forced fumble 2 pass breakups
2020 (Fr.) Stats: 21 tackles 1.0 tackle-for-loss 1 INT 1 pass breakup
Offers from: UNKNOWN
Original offers from: Arkansas, Baylor, Colorado, Georgia, Houston, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana Tech, LSU, Miami (FL), Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio St, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, SMU, Texas Tech, Tulsa, utah, Washington St
Primary Recruiter: UNKNOWN
https://247sports.com/player/d-j-graham-ii-46037403/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/5293793/Davon-Graham-II
Torren Union 6’2″ 195 (NR) – New Mexico State University – (1 year to play 1)
2023 (Jr.) Stats: 35 tackles 2.0 tackles-for-loss 1 INT 1 pass breakup 1 forced fumble
2022 (So.) Stats: 12 tackles
2021 (RsFr.) Stats: 39 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss 3 pass breakups 1 fumble recovery
2020 (RsFr.) Stats: 2 tackles 1 fumble recovery
2019 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at South Dakota State University
Offers from: NONE
Primary recruiter: Jalen Ortiz
https://247sports.com/player/torren-union-46051638/college-313586/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/6061245/Torren-Union
Courage Ugochukwu 6’2″ 180 (247 2*) – Blinn CC, TX – (3 years to play 2)
2023 (So.) Stats: 14 tackles 2 INTs 9 pass breakups
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 1 tackle 1 pass breakup
Offers from: Abilene Christian, Akron, Albany, Austin Peay, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, Houston Christian, Jacksonville St, Lindenwood, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New Mexico St, North Dakota St, Samford, Southern Mississippi, Stephen F. Austin, Temple, Texas Southern, UTEP
Primary recruiter: Jalen Ortiz
https://247sports.com/Player/courage-ugochukwu-46144811/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/15340117/Courage-Ugo
2024 OUTLOOK
LEFT CORNERBACK
AVANTE DICKERSON
Junior Avante Dickerson took over the starting gig at this spot around mid-season last year and as long as he is healthy, he will not relinquish it. Last year Dickerson played in 11 games with 7 starts and was credited with 17 tackles and 6 pass breakups. During his 3-year career between Utah State and the University of Oregon, he has played in 24 games with 7 starts and totaled 22 tackles and 6 pass breakups.
According to 247sports, coming out of Westside High (NE), Dickerson was rated as the 122nd-best player in the country, the 8th-best cornerback in the country, and the number one player Nebraska. He originally received offers from Akron, Arkansas, Baylor, Boston College, Duke, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, LSU, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio St, Oregon, Penn St, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, and Virginia.
Dickerson is a long-armed defensive back with good ball skills. He has top-end athleticism that will allow him to match up favorably with opposing wide receivers. His backpedal is smooth and natural. He has the agility to flip his hips and change directions quickly. He is a twitchy athlete who shows impressive short-area burst that helps him break on passes once the ball is in the air. What might impress me the most is his top-end speed.
MASON EDWARDS
Mason Edwards is a junior college transfer who will enter the 2024 season as a junior with three years to complete his final two seasons of eligibility. Last year Edwards started in the 5 games he was available for and was credited with 7 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss, and 4 pass breakups. During his 2-year career for the Blue Dragons, he played in 11 games with 5 starts and totaled 14 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss, and 4 pass breakups.
According to 247sports coming out of Hutchinson Community College (KS), Edwards was rated as the 151st-best junior college player nationally, the 17th-best junior college safety, and the 34th-best junior college prospect overall in Kansas. He chose the Aggies over offers from Akron and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Edwards uses good technique moving backward with ease and making a smooth transition to open his hips and take off running. He can change directions fluidly and move in and out of breaks with opposing wide receivers. He has a good understanding of shading his coverage to where the play is moving so he is a step ahead of the pass. He uses angles well and has a good sense of where a play may develop in front of him.
EJ FISK
EJ Fisk is a junior college transfer who will enter the 2024 season as a junior with three years to complete his final two seasons of eligibility. Last year Fisk started all 9 games he was available for and piled up 36 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, and 2 pass breakups. During his 2-year career between East Central Community College (MS) and Northeast Mississippi Community College (MS), he played in 17 games with 9 starts and totaled 46 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, and 6 pass breakups.
According to 247sports coming out of East Central Community College (KS), Fisk was rated as the 114th-best junior college player nationally, the 12th-best junior college cornerback, and the 40th-best junior college prospect overall in Mississippi. He chose the Aggies over offers from Temple, Tennesse-Martin, and Troy State.
Fisk has a gritty determination about his style of play that will endear him to Aggie fans. His physical nature serves him well in press coverage and he likes to bully opposing wide receivers. He has great high-end speed which allows him to run stride for stride with opposing players. He has tremendous instincts for the game and that always keeps him close enough to get his hands on the ball and deflect a pass.
RIGHT CORNERBACK
DAVON GRAHAM
Davon Graham is a transfer from the University of Oklahoma who will enter the 2024 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining. Graham missed last season with the Sooners with a season-ending injury. During his 4-year career at Oklahoma Graham played in 28 games with 12 starts totaling 72 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 5 pass breakups.
According to 247sports coming out of Keller Central High School (TX), Graham was rated as the 448th-best player nationally, the 21st-best athlete, and the 61st-best player in Texas. Graham originally held offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Colorado, Georgia, Houston, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana Tech, LSU, Miami (FL), Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas Tech, Tulsa, utah, and Washington State.
Graham is a dynamic athlete with very good speed and exceptional skills. He has spent time on both sides of the ball while in college and because of that, he has great hands and the ball seems to just stick to them. He adjusts to the ball in flight extremely well. His footwork is very refined and he is very agile, getting in and out of breaks with ease. He sticks to receivers when they make the catch, deflecting a pass or using his strength to rip it out of their hands. He isn’t afraid of being physical on the outside and he will fight through screens to knock down opposing ball carriers. He takes great angles to the ball and doesn’t miss tackles very often.
JD DREW
Sophomore JD Drew is going to battle for the top spot of the depth chart. Last year Drew played in 11 games with 6 starts and was credited with 26 tackles and 6 pass breakups. During his 2-year career at Utah State, he has played in 16 games with 6 starts and totaled 31 tackles and 6 pass breakups.
According to 247sports coming out of Booker T. Washington High School (OK), Drew was rated as the 1,604th-best player nationally, the 64th-best athlete, and the 15th-best player in Oklahoma. Drew chose the Aggies over offers from Army, Central Oklahoma, Houston Christian, and Missouri State.
Drew has long strides for someone his size and impressive speed. The speed he possesses stands out in the open field. He is a fluid athlete who has made a seamless transition from high school to college. He plays tight coverage and his athleticism allows him to make plays on the ball in nearly every situation. He is also a sound tackler when the opportunity arises and puts his entire body into his hits. He has great size and long arms for the cornerback position.
COURAGE UGOCHUKWU
Courage Ugochukwu is a junior college transfer who will enter the 2024 season as a junior with three years to complete his final two seasons of eligibility. Last season he started and played in 9 games, pulling down 14 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 9 pass breakups. During his 2-year career with the Buccaneers, he played in 18 games with 9 starts and totaled 15 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 10 pass breakups.
According to 247sports coming out of Blinn Community College (TX), Ugochukwu was rated as the 232nd-best junior college player nationally, the 30th-best junior college cornerback, and the 29th-best junior college prospect overall in Texas. He chose the Aggies over offers from Abilene Christian, Akron, Albany, Austin Peay, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, Houston Christian, Jacksonville State, Lindenwood, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New Mexico State, North Dakota State, Samford, Southern Mississippi, Stephen F. Austin, Temple, Texas Southern, and UTEP.
Ugochukwu plays with high confidence and is often able to back it up with his talent. He likes to do his damage by being physical at the line of scrimmage. He can get up and press opposing wide receiver and thanks to his active hands he can re-route his man with ease. His fluid hips help him maintain a low center of gravity, so he can turn in and out of his breaks. He gets his head around quickly and his quick reaction skills allow him to bat a pass down. Having started playing the game later in life than most, Ugochukwu is still fairly new to the game of football and his upside is huge.
NOAH FLORES
Adding depth to the position is redshirt freshman preferred walk-on Noah Flores. Flores spent his first season in an Aggie uniform on the practice squad while he redshirted. As a senior at Alta High (UT) in 2022, Flores totaled 28 tackles, 9 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery. For his effort, he earned a first-team all-state selection. During his 3-year high school career, he played in 24 games with 21 starts and totaled 53 tackles, 11 interceptions, 19 pass breakups, and 2 fumble recoveries.
Flores chose the Aggies over offers from Black Hills State, Montana Tech, Snow Junior College, and Southern Utah.
Flores is not only a defensive back but he was a very accomplished wide receiver as well. He excels at watching the eyes of an opposing quarterback and baiting him into throwing the ball his way, he then speeds up and snatches the ball out of the air. He is a tough player that isn’t afraid to mix it up with larger players. When the opportunity arises he is a sound tackler, making sure that he gets low enough to make the play and wrapping up well.
NICKEL
JAIDEN FRANCOIS
Junior Jaiden Francois is my leading candidate to begin fall camp at the top spot on the depth chart. Last year Francois played in 12 games with 7 starts and compiled 57 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sacks, 1 interception that he returned for a touchdown, 2 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble. During his 3-year career at Utah State and Central Florida, he played in 25 games with 7 starts totaling 59 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sacks, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble.
According to 247sports coming out of South Dade High School (FL), Francois was rated as the 283rd-best player nationally, the 29th-best safety, and the 46th-best player in Florida. Francois originally held offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Auburn, Central Florida, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Florida A&M, Florida State, Georgia, Indiana, Miami (FL), Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and Syracuse.
Francois has a reputation for being a hard-hitting defensive back. His outstanding instincts allow him to always be in a position to make plays. That is a trait you either have or you don’t. His knack for reading a quarterback allows him to break on the ball, and force a turnover. His quick feet and fluid hips make him a perfect player to cover an opposing team’s slot receiver. He has been known to show off his tremendous ball skills by ripping away a reception for an interception.
TORREN UNION
Torren Union is a transfer from New Mexico State University who will enter the 2024 season as a senior using his final season of eligibility. Last year Union played in 9 games and notched 35 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup, and 1 forced fumble. During his 4-year career at New Mexico State and South Dakota State, he played in 41 games with 4 starts and totaled 78 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries.
Union is a quick-twitch athlete with light, bouncing feet. He can stick his foot in the ground and redirect quickly to mirror the change of direction from running backs and quarterbacks. He is a textbook tackler who can run all over the field, whether it is in coverage or as a blitzer. He does a great job putting himself in a position to be around the ball to make a play. When in coverage, he’s good in zone coverage where he can keep the play in front of him and close in to make a big open-field tackle.
PROJECTED 2024 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
CORNERBACK
LEFT
17 Avante Dickerson (5-11, 170, Jr., 1L, 4*)
22 Mason Edwards (6-2, 180, Jr., JC, NR)
13 EJ Fisk (5-10, 180, Jr., JC, 3*)
RIGHT
4 Davon Graham (6-0, 205, RsJr., TR, 3*)
3 JD Drew (5-11, 165, So., 1L, 3*)
23 Courage Ugochukwu (6-1, 195, Jr., JC, 3*)
25 Noah Flores (5-9, 175, RsFr., RS, NR)
NICKEL
7 Jaiden Francois (5-10, 195, Gr-Sr., 1L, 4*)
15 Torren Union (6-2, 195, Sr., TR, NR)
Coming Up On Tuesday: Defensive Tackle