BOUNDARY SAFETY
Returning players
Charger Doty
Chika Ebunoha
Brevin Hamblin
2025 players not returning
Gio Kafentzis (Transferred to Portland State University)
2025 post-spring ball attrition
Breaker Mendenhall (Left Team)
2025 total production lost
11 games
0 starts
4 tackles
1 interception
1 pass breakup
2025 total production returning
22 games
12 starts
122 tackles
2.5 tackles-for-loss
1.5 sacks
1 interception
9 pass breakups
2 forced fumbles
1 fumble recovery
1 touchdown
2025 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college)
NONE
New Faces in 2026
Steven Sannieniola 6’2′ 205 (3*) – Troy University – (2 years to play 2)
2025 (Sr.) Stats: Did not see any action at Troy University and redshirted
2024 (Jr.) Stats: 3 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss
2023 (So.) Stats: Missed the season with an injury
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 7 tackles at Vanderbilt University
Offers from: UNKNOWN
Original offers from: Boston College, Buffalo, Duke, East Carolina, Howard, Liberty, Maryland, Old Dominion, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Toledo, Vanderbilt, Virginia, West Virginia
Primary recruiter: Nick Howell
https://x.com/i/status/1865085286734270918
Makai So’o 6’0″ 185 (NR) – Northridge HS, UT – (Preferred Walk-on)
2025 (Sr.) Stats: 92 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 1 INT, 5 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble
2024 (Jr.) Stats: 96 tackles, 5.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, 4 QB hurries, 1 INT, 2 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble
2023 (So.) Stats: 28 tackles, 3 QB hurries, 1 fumble recovery, 2 blocked punts
Offers from: Carroll College, College of Idaho, McPherson College, MidAmerica Nazarene, Morningside University, Ottawa University Arizona, Rocky Mountain College, Snow JC, Winona St
Primary recruiter: Jan Jorgensen, Jordan Pulou
https://www.hudl.com/profile/17389224/Makai-Soo
2026 OUTLOOK
BREVIN HAMBLIN
Senior Brevin Hamblin is a sure-fire starter at this spot in 2026
As a junior last season, Hamblin played in 13 games with 12 starts and amassed 114 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, 8 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
During his 3-year career with the Aggies and Utah Tech University, Hamblin played in 36 games with 26 starts and totaled 253 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 interception that he returned for a touchdown, 11 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 blocked kick.
According to 247sports, Hamblin is rated as the 1,962nd-best transfer portal player nationally 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 functions like an extra linebacker when dropping into the box. 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.
CHARGER DOTY
Sophomore Charger Doty will enter fall camp expecting to see the field a lot in 2026.
As a true freshman last season, Doty played in 8 games with 0 starts and finished with 7 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
During his 3-year career at Bingham High School (UT), 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, 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 stalks the field looking to destroy opposing ball carriers with a crushing hit. He is a defensive playmaker who will make an impact in numerous ways.
STEVEN SANNIENIOLA
Steven Sannieniola is a transfer from Troy University who will enter the 2026 season as a redshirt senior who will also have a graduate year of eligibility remaining.
As a senior with the Trojans last season, Sannieniola did not see any action and redshirted.
During his 4-year career at Troy University and Vanderbilt University,
Sannieniola has played in 9 games with 0 starts and totaled 11 tackles and 1.0 tackles-for-loss.
According to 247sports, Sannieniola is rated as the 3,093rd-best transfer portal player nationally and the 305th-best safety in the transfer portal. Utah State was Sannieniola’s first transfer portal scholarship offer, and he accepted not long after being offered. He originally held offers from Boston College, Buffalo, Duke, East Carolina, Howard, Liberty, Maryland, Old Dominion, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Toledo, Vanderbilt, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Sannieniola has the ideal size to be a force at the safety position. He is a physically gifted player who has spent his career riddled with injuries. He has played several spots in the secondary, and his versatility will be a welcome addition. He possesses track star speed, and that gives him the top-end speed required to shift from a box defender to a deep coverage safety. His dynamic athleticism allows him to showcase his exceptional ball skills and open-field instincts. His above-average length allows him to effectively disrupt passing lanes and match tight ends in coverage.
CHIKA EBUNOHA
Redshirt junior Chika Ebunoha will be competing to make a move up the depth chart in fall camp.
As a junior last season, Ebunoha played in 1 game with 0 starts, making 1 tackle and missing the rest of the season with an injury forcing him to redshirt.
During his 4-year career with the Aggies and at byu, Ebunoha has played in 18 games with 0 starts and totaled 6 tackles.
According to On3 Sports, Ebunoha was rated as the 2,643rd-best transfer portal player nationally and the 236th-best cornerback in the transfer portal. Ebunoha 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 background in track lends to his great closing speed and explosive burst on the field. He is an aggressive tackler and does a good job of wrapping up in the open field. His versatility will be a big plus for the Aggies as it will allow him to be used in several different roles.
MAKAI SO’O
Adding depth to the position is true freshman preferred walk-on Makai So’o.
As a senior at Northridge High School (UT) in 2025, So’o played in 11 games with 11 starts and rolled up 92 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, 5 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble.
During his 3-year high school career with the Knights, So’o played in 34 games with 23 starts and totaled 216 tackles, 8.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, 7 quarterback hurries, 2 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 blocked punts
So’o chose the Aggies over offers from Carroll College, College of Idaho, McPherson College, MidAmerica Nazarene, Morningside University, Ottawa University Arizona, Rocky Mountain College, Snow Junior College (UT), and Winona State.
So’o is a hard-hitting ex-safety making the transition to linebacker. He is very comfortable playing out in space. He is a good, strong-form tackler. He steps up in run support and gets low on his tackles. He is great in coverage. He shadows receivers well, and that allows him to get inside position on jump balls. He has a solid ability to read the quarterback’s eyes, and it allows him to be in a good position on the field at all times.
PROJECTED 2026 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
BOUNDARY SAFETY
4 Brevin Hamblin (6-5, 205, Sr., 1L, 3*)
32 Charger Doty (5-11, 205, So., 1L, 3*)
00 Steven Sannieniola (6-2, 205, Sr., TR, 3*)
27 Chika Ebunoha (5-11, 185, RsJr, RS, 3*)
00 Makai So’o (6-0, 185, Fr., HS, NR)
Coming Up On Thursday: Field Safety