Position Preview: Safeties
8/9/2023 9:07:00 PM | Football
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Led by consensus preseason All-MAC junior Trey Jones, the Chippewas return an experienced group of players who earned every start in 2022.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan returns nine safeties in 2023, including players who accounted for every start at the position in 2022. Led by juniors Trey Jones and Jayden Davis and sophomores Nahree Biggins, DeAnthony Becton, Elijah Rikard, Caleb Spann, and De'Javion Stepney, Central Michigan features a deep, talented, and experienced group of players. The returnees combined for all 27 starts last year.
The safeties are coached by Michael Zordich, who begins his fourth year with the Central Michigan football program as its Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach.
SAFETIES PERSONNEL BREAKDOWN
3 | Trey Jones | 6-2 | 215 | Jr. | Wetumpka, Ala.
29 | Jayden Davis | 6-0 | 205 | Jr. | Oakland, Calif.
16 | Nahree Biggins | 6-1 | 210 | R-So. | Hillside, N.J.
27 | DeAnthony Becton | 5-11 | 190 | R-So. | Akron, Ohio
38 | Danny MacLean | 6-0 | 205 | R-So. | Bloomfield Twp., Mich.
21 | Elijah Rikard | 6-1 | 195 | R-So. | Detroit, Mich.
15 | Caleb Spann | 6-0 | 195 | R-So. | New Orleans, La.
5 | De'Javion Stepney | 6-0 | 190 | R-So. | Macomb, Mich.
7 | Ed Conoran | 5-10 | 190 | R-Fr. | Dover, N.J.
24 | Kyle Krebs | 6-0 | 190 | R-Fr. | Denver, Colo.
37 | Jeremiah Alston-Jackson | 6-0 | 195 | Fr. | Detroit, Mich.
9 | Mark-Allen Gay | 6-0 | 175 | Fr. | Miami, Fla.
41 | Tayte Vanderleest | 6-3 | 200 | Fr. | Muskegon, Mich.
34 | Alex Henry | 6-2 | 185 | Fr. | Chardon, Ohio
Of the returning safeties, Jones emerged as a key playmaker a year ago, starting 11 games while recording 85 tackles and 47 solo tackles, which both ranked second on the team. He also had a team-high two interceptions with three pass breakups and registered a blocked kick in the season finale against Eastern Michigan. Jones led the team in tackles in three games and made a career-high 16 tackles against Buffalo. He was named a consensus preseason All-MAC player.
Davis also had a productive year in 2022, appearing in all 12 games with eight starts. He registered 44 tackles (20 solo), with 2.5 tackles-for-loss. Davis made at least one tackle in 11 of 12 contest last year.
Sophomore De'Javion Stepney had a very strong year in 2022, when he was named to the All-MAC Third Team as a kickoff returner. Stepney started 10 games at safety, posting 40 tackles (20 solo) with eight pass breakups and one sack. He averaged 26.8 yards on eight kick returns with a long of 60.
Sophomore Caleb Spann also looks to make an impact after appearing in all 12 games with one start a year ago. He finished with 21 tackles (16 solo), four pass breakups, and one interception vs. Bucknell, the first of his career.
Sophomore Elijah Rikard moves over to the safety position after playing cornerback last year. He played in just two games in 2022 but is expected to make an impact this year.
Biggins (six games) and Conoran (four games) both saw game action last year, while Becton, Krebs, and MacLean return.
Freshmen Mark-Allen Gay, Jeremiah Alston-Jackson, Tayte Vanderleest, and Alex Henry are new additions to the unit.
The safeties are coached by Michael Zordich, who begins his fourth year with the Central Michigan football program as its Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach.
SAFETIES PERSONNEL BREAKDOWN
3 | Trey Jones | 6-2 | 215 | Jr. | Wetumpka, Ala.
29 | Jayden Davis | 6-0 | 205 | Jr. | Oakland, Calif.
16 | Nahree Biggins | 6-1 | 210 | R-So. | Hillside, N.J.
27 | DeAnthony Becton | 5-11 | 190 | R-So. | Akron, Ohio
38 | Danny MacLean | 6-0 | 205 | R-So. | Bloomfield Twp., Mich.
21 | Elijah Rikard | 6-1 | 195 | R-So. | Detroit, Mich.
15 | Caleb Spann | 6-0 | 195 | R-So. | New Orleans, La.
5 | De'Javion Stepney | 6-0 | 190 | R-So. | Macomb, Mich.
7 | Ed Conoran | 5-10 | 190 | R-Fr. | Dover, N.J.
24 | Kyle Krebs | 6-0 | 190 | R-Fr. | Denver, Colo.
37 | Jeremiah Alston-Jackson | 6-0 | 195 | Fr. | Detroit, Mich.
9 | Mark-Allen Gay | 6-0 | 175 | Fr. | Miami, Fla.
41 | Tayte Vanderleest | 6-3 | 200 | Fr. | Muskegon, Mich.
34 | Alex Henry | 6-2 | 185 | Fr. | Chardon, Ohio
Of the returning safeties, Jones emerged as a key playmaker a year ago, starting 11 games while recording 85 tackles and 47 solo tackles, which both ranked second on the team. He also had a team-high two interceptions with three pass breakups and registered a blocked kick in the season finale against Eastern Michigan. Jones led the team in tackles in three games and made a career-high 16 tackles against Buffalo. He was named a consensus preseason All-MAC player.
Davis also had a productive year in 2022, appearing in all 12 games with eight starts. He registered 44 tackles (20 solo), with 2.5 tackles-for-loss. Davis made at least one tackle in 11 of 12 contest last year.
Sophomore De'Javion Stepney had a very strong year in 2022, when he was named to the All-MAC Third Team as a kickoff returner. Stepney started 10 games at safety, posting 40 tackles (20 solo) with eight pass breakups and one sack. He averaged 26.8 yards on eight kick returns with a long of 60.
Sophomore Caleb Spann also looks to make an impact after appearing in all 12 games with one start a year ago. He finished with 21 tackles (16 solo), four pass breakups, and one interception vs. Bucknell, the first of his career.
Sophomore Elijah Rikard moves over to the safety position after playing cornerback last year. He played in just two games in 2022 but is expected to make an impact this year.
Biggins (six games) and Conoran (four games) both saw game action last year, while Becton, Krebs, and MacLean return.
Freshmen Mark-Allen Gay, Jeremiah Alston-Jackson, Tayte Vanderleest, and Alex Henry are new additions to the unit.
Players Mentioned
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