FIELD SAFETY
Returning players
D’Andre Barnes
Lava Vailahi
2025 players not returning
Isaac Larsen (Graduation; SIGNED CFL Calgary Stampeders)
Titan Saxton (Transferred to Idaho State University)
2026 post-spring ball attrition
NONE
2025 total production lost
18 games
8 starts
63 tackles
3.0 tackles-for-loss
1 interception
5 pass breakups
1 quarterback hurry
2025 total production returning
11 games
0 starts
3 tackles
2025 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college)
10 games
0 starts
12 tackles
1 fumble recovery
New Faces in 2026
David “DK” Kabongo 5’11” 190 (3*) – Oklahoma State University – (3 years to play 3)
2025 (So.) Stats: 12 tackles, 1 fumble recovery; Redshirted
2024 (Fr.) Stats: 16 tackles, 1.0 tackle-for-loss, 1.0 sack
Offers from: Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Texas St, Texas-San Antonio
Original offers from: Arizona St, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma St, SMU, Texas, Texas St, Texas Tech, Texas-San Antonio, utah, Utah St, Washington St
Primary recruiter: Nick Howell
https://x.com/i/status/1998906366812107181
Chapman Lewis 6’1″ 185 (3*) – Texas Tech University – (2 years to play 2)
2025 (Jr.) Stats: Saw action in 6 games but did not record any stats. Redshirted at Texas Tech University
2024 (So.) Stats: 43 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 3 INTs, 6 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery
2023 (Fr.) Stats: 14 tackles
Offers from: UNKNOWN
Original offers from: Texas Tech
Primary recruiter: Nick Howell
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12849830/Chapman-L-Lewis
Bronco Winterton 6’0″ 190 (NR) – Pleasant Grove HS, UT – (Preferred Walk-on)
2023 (Sr.) Stats: 61 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble
2022 (Jr.) Stats: 93 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 5 pass breakups
2021 (So.) Stats: 39 tackles, 1 pass breakup, 1 fumble recovery
Offers from: Black Hills St
Primary recruiter: Jordan Pulou
https://www.hudl.com/profile/14611578/Bronco-Winterton
2026 OUTLOOK
CHAPMAN LEWIS
Chapman Lewis is a transfer from Texas Tech University who will enter the 2026 season as a redshirt junior with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
As a junior with the Red Raiders last season, Lewis played in 6 games with 0 starts and did not record any stats. He redshirted the season after playing in the maximum number of games allowed.
During his 3-year career at Texas Tech University, Lewis has played in 29 games with 11 starts and totaled 57 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 3 interceptions, 6 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery.
According to On3 Sports, Lewis is rated as the 696th-best transfer portal player nationally and the 60th-best safety in the transfer portal. Utah State was Lewis’ first transfer portal scholarship offer, and he accepted not long after being offered. He originally held an offer from Texas Tech.
Lewis has the chance to be an elite player. He is a high-instinct, high-IQ player who picks up on schemes quickly and will be the primary pre-snap communicator setting coverages. He utilizes his in-play diagnostic skills, excellent hip fluidity, and over-the-top lateral explosiveness to cover deep zones. He flies to the ball and excels in intermediate zone coverage. Once the ball is in the air, he believes it belongs to him and will do anything to be a piece of it or pull it in. His relentless physicality and closing speed allow him to hit opposing offensive players with a violence rarely seen in a player his size. He is more than willing to lay somebody out.
D’ANDRE BARNES
Junior D’Andre Barnes will look to make some noise in fall camp.
As a sophomore last season, Barnes played in 11 games with 0 starts and was credited with 3 tackles.
During his 3-year career with the Aggies and the University of Nebraska, Barnes has played in 12 games with 0 starts and totaled 3 tackles.
According to 247sports, Barnes was rated as the 2,730th-best transfer portal player nationally and the 278th-best safety in the transfer portal. Once he entered the transfer portal, Barnes chose the Aggies over an offer from Wyoming. He originally held offers from Air Force, Bowling Green, byu, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming.
Barnes is blessed with elite speed, which allows him to cover a lot of ground and flow sideline to sideline. He has fluid hips and is capable of providing man-to-man coverage. He possesses excellent length to disrupt passing lanes. He does a great job of taking the proper angle to break on the ball, and once he gets there, high-pointing the ball, snatching it out of the air, and taking it the other way. His top-end vertical speed allows him to recover easily. He is a willing tackler and rarely allows opposing ball carriers to get by him.
DAVID “DK” KABONGO
David “DK” Kabongo is a transfer from Oklahoma State University who will enter the 2026 season as a redshirt sophomore and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
As a sophomore with the Cowboys last season, Kabongo played in 4 games with 0 starts and logged 12 tackles and 1 fumble recovery. By only playing in 4 games, he was able to utilize his redshirt season.
During his 2-year career at Oklahoma State University, Kabongo has played in 11 games with 0 starts and totaled 28 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, and 1 fumble recovery.
According to On3 Sports, Kabongo is rated as the 1,261st-best transfer portal player nationally and the 113th-best safety in the transfer portal. Once he entered the transfer portal, Kabongo chose the Aggies over offers from Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Texas State, and Texas-San Antonio. He originally held offers from Arizona State, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas, Texas State, Texas Tech, Texas-San Antonio, utah, Utah State, and Washington State.
Kabongo has a highly intelligent approach to the game. He reads and reacts to route concepts perfectly as the play develops. He gives opposing quarterbacks fits as they try to read his disguised coverage. His sticky coverage abilities and strong coverage skills allow him to manipulate receiver leverage to consistently disrupt pass timing. He has a natural knack for tracking the ball at its highest point and has good enough hands to be able to come down with the ball. He possesses the coverage fluidity to slide down into the slot or play aggressively in the box. He plays with a physical chip on his shoulder. He reacts quickly on run plays, fights down into the alley, and will deliver an unexpectedly punishing hit.
LAVA VAILAHI
Redshirt freshman Lava Vailahi will come into fall camp looking to turn some heads.
As a true freshman last season, Vailahi did not appear in any games and spent the season redshirting.
During his 4-year career at West High School (UT), Vailahi played in 39 games with 22 starts and totaled 226 tackles, 6.0 tackles-for-loss, 5 interceptions, 46 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.
According to On3 Sports, Vailahi was rated as the 2,126th-best player nationally, the 182nd-best cornerback, and the 29th-best prospect overall in Utah. He chose the Aggies over offers from Hawaii and Iowa State.
Vailahi is an outstanding athlete who could play any spot in the secondary. He has the speed to go stride for stride with receivers on routes and outleap them despite his size. He plays with blazing speed but still maintains great balance and footwork that allow him to change directions smoothly. Thanks to being a very good offensive player as well, he has solid hands and tracks the ball well in coverage. He is a hard worker who doesn’t give up on plays, chasing ball carriers down no matter where he is on the field.
BRONCO WINTERTON
True freshman preferred walk-on Bronco Winterton recently returned from serving a church mission and will provide depth at this position.
As a senior at Pleasant Grove High School (UT) in 2023, Winterton played in 12 games with 12 starts and pulled down 61 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble.
During his 3-year high school career with the Vikings, Winterton played in 34 games with 24 starts and totaled 193 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 2 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.
Winterton chose the Aggies over an offer from Black Hills State
Winterton has a sturdy frame that he will be able to put muscle on as his college career progresses. His time at wide receiver will aid him in tracking the ball while in the air and aggressively attacking the pass. He reads the play as it unfolds and does a good job of picking up opposing wide receivers as they enter his domain. He is also a proven helper in the run game. He does not hesitate when called upon to step up and make an open-field solo tackle on an opposing ball carrier. He is versatile enough to play field and boundary safety.
PROJECTED 2026 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
FIELD SAFETY
00 Chapman Lewis (6-1, 175, Jr., TR, 3*)
26 D’Andre Barnes (6-0, 200, Jr., SQ, 3*)
00 David “DK” Kabongo (5-11, 190, So., TR, 3*)
16 Lava Vailahi (5-11, 165, RsFr., RS, 3*)
00 Bronco Winterton (6-0, 190, Fr., HS, NR)
Coming Up On Friday: Cornerback