BOUNDARY SAFETY

Returning players: Gio Kafentzis

2024 players not returning: Terrell Taylor (transfer portal), Jordan Vincent (graduation)

2025 post-spring ball attrition: Omari Okeke (transfer portal), Kadiyon Sweat (transferred to Southern Utah)

2024 total production lost: 27 games, 13 starts, 129 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 4 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, 1 quarterback hurry

2024 total production returning: 1 game

2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 28 games, 23 starts, 144 tackles, 9.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, 5 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 blocked kick

 

New Faces in 2025:

Chika Ebunoha 6’0″ 190 (3*) – byu – (2 years to play 2)
2024 (So.) Stats: 1 tackle
2023 (RsFr.) Stats: 3 tackles
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 1 tackle and redshirted at byu
Offers from: Abilene Christian, East Texas A&M, Hawaii, Northern Colorado
Primary recruiter: Charles Mack
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11193590/Chika-Ebunoha

Charger Doty 6’0″ 195 (3*) – Bingham HS, UT
2024 (Sr.) Stats: 47 tackles 4 INTs 4 pass breakups 1 forced fumble 1 fumble recovery 1 TD
2023 (Jr.) Stats: 48 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss 5 INTs 3 pass breakups
2022 (So.) Stats: 34 tackles 2 INTs 5 pass breakups
Offers from: Air Force, Dartmouth, Hawaii, Iowa St, UNLV, Washington St, Yale
Primary recruiter: DJ Tialavea, Kwame Agyeman
https://www.hudl.com/profile/15861333/Charger-Doty

Brevin Hamblin 6’5″ 205 (3*) – Utah Tech University – (3 years to play 2)
2024 (So.) Stats: 96 tackles 2.5 tackles-for-loss 2 pass breakups 2 forced fumbles 1 blocked kick
2023 (Fr.) Stats: 43 tackles 2.5 tackles-for-loss 1.0 sacks 1 pass breakup
Offers from: Idaho St, Weber St
Primary recruiter: Charles Mack
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12918200/Brevin-Hamblin

Titan Saxton 5’11” 198 (NR) – Snow JC, UT – (3 years to play 3)
2024 (RsFr.) Stats: 47 tackles 7.0 tackles-for-loss 2.0 sacks 2 INTs 3 pass breakups 1 fumble recovery
2023 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at Utah State University
Offers from: New Mexico
Primary recruiter: Charles Mack
https://www.hudl.com/profile/9763415/Titan-Saxton

 

2025 OUTLOOK

BREVIN HAMBLIN
Brevin Hamblin is a transfer from Utah Tech University who will enter the 2025 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining, plus a redshirt season if needed.

Last year, Hamblin played in 12 games with 12 starts and racked up 96 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 2 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 blocked kick.

During his 2-year career with the Trailblazers, Hamblin played in 23 games with 14 starts and totaled 139 tackles, 5.0 tackles-for-loss, 1 sack, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 blocked kick.

According to 247sports, Hamblin is rated as the 1,962nd-best transfer portal player in the country and the 180th-best safety in the transfer portal. Hamblin chose the Aggies over offers from Idaho State and Weber State.

Hamblin is very athletic. His outstanding play recognition allows him to anticipate where the ball is going and quickly make a play on the ball. He deceptively hides his coverage assignment, allowing him to shade over into passing lanes. He possesses solid closing speed. He steps up into the run game to stop opposing running backs at the line of scrimmage. He is a physical player and regularly stops opposing wide receivers in their tracks. I expect him to be an impact special-teams player as well.

 

TITAN SAXTON
Titan Saxton is a transfer from Snow Junior College (UT) who will enter the 2025 season as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining.

Last year, Saxton played in 11 games with 11 starts and pulled down 47 tackles, 7.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery.

During his 2-year career at Snow Junior College and Utah State, Saxton has played in 11 games with 11 starts and totaled 47 tackles, 7.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery.

Saxton chose the Aggies over an offer from New Mexico.

Saxton is a versatile player; he can play both safety spots and could play the nickel spot if needed. He has great footwork and is very mobile, which allows him to roam the field. He displays solid zone coverage close to the line of scrimmage. He is disciplined in executing his assignment. He has shown great field vision and scans around to see where he is needed. He has become a skilled blitzer, showing great speed after the snap to take the offense by surprise.

 

CHIKA EBUNOHA
Chika Ebunoha is a transfer from byu who will enter the 2025 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining.

Last year Ebunoha played in 5 games and recorded 1 tackle.

During his 3-year career with the cougars, Ebunoha played in 17 games and totaled 5 tackles.

According to On3 Sports, Ebunoha was rated as the 2,643rd-best transfer portal player in the country and the 236th-best cornerback in the transfer portal. He chose the Aggies over offers from Abilene Christian, East Texas A&M, Hawaii, and Northern Colorado.

Ebunoha is a player who can roam all over the field to make plays. He is a strong tackler who is equally skilled in defending the run and the pass. He can cover opposing offensive players from the slot, tight end, or out of the backfield. His versatility will be a big plus for the Aggies as it will allow him to be used in several different roles.

 

GIO KAFENTZIS
Redshirt freshman preferred walk-on Gio Kafentzis has taken a huge step forward this offseason and should see the field in some capacity this season.

Last year, Kafentzis played in 1 game but did not record any stats.

During his 4-year high school career with the Jaguars, Kafentzis played in 29 games with 19 starts, totaling 98 tackles, 10.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, 5 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, and 2 fumble recoveries.

According to 247sports, coming out of Emerald Ridge High (WA), Kafentzis was rated as the 247th-best safety and the 33rd-best prospect overall in Washington. He chose the Aggies over offers from Eastern Washington and Nevada and preferred walk-on offers from San Diego State and Weber State.

Kafentzis does a good job of initially diagnosing plays. He isn’t afraid to mix it up in run support, often taking on offensive players much bigger than him. Once he makes contact, the opposing player rarely escapes his grasp. He is plenty fast enough to provide solid zone coverage and can take deep thirds or halves with ease. Aggression is the name of his game. He spent time on the offensive side of the ball as well, and that helped develop his ball skills.

 

CHARGER DOTY
True Freshman Charger Doty will enter fall camp expecting to compete immediately.

Last year, Doty played in 11 games with 11 starts and pulled down 31 tackles, 4 interceptions, returning 1 for a touchdown, 4 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.

During his 3-year career with the Miners, Doty played in 35 games with 35 starts and totaled 129 tackles, 1.0 tackle-for-loss, 11 interceptions, 12 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 touchdown.

According to On3 Sports, coming out of Bingham High (UT), Doty was rated as the 1,470th-best player nationally, the 134th-best safety, and the 19th-best prospect overall in Utah. He chose the Aggies over offers from Air Force, Dartmouth, Hawaii, Iowa State, UNLV, Washington State, and Yale.

Doty moves around the field smoothly. He is aggressive against the run and flies to where he needs to make a play. He has an outstanding ability to keep his body squared up to the opposing ball carrier when making a tackle. He is in tune with his pass coverage, keeping eyes on the quarterback in addition to his responsibilities. He effortlessly glides as he backpedals in coverage. He is a defensive playmaker who will make an impact in numerous ways.

 

PROJECTED 2025 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART

BOUNDARY SAFETY

12 Brevin Hamblin (6-5, 205, Jr., TR, NR)
1 Titan Saxton (5-11, 195, So., JC, NR)
00 Chika Ebunoha (6-0, 190, Jr, TR, 3*)
28 Gio Kafentzis (5-10, 180, Fr., RS, 3*)
00 Charger Doty (6-0, 195, Fr., HS, 3*)

 

Coming Up On Thursday: Field Safety