Over the next seven weeks we will be previewing each position on the 2014 Wayne State University football team with each position coach highlighting their respective units.  Brad Wilson, the defensive backs coach as well as the defensive coordinator, is featured in the first segment.

Wayne State returns seven starters on defense, including all four starters in the secondary.  Senior cornerback Gerren DuHart has made 29 career starts for Wayne State, while junior Brandon McKay-Lee started the last seven games during the 2013 season.

DuHart has 121 career tackles, 15 pass break-ups and six interceptions while playing in 36 contests, with McKay-Lee recording 40 tackles and four pass break-ups a year ago.

Sophomore Lairren Johnson played in every game in 2013, while redshirt freshmen Ose Omofoma and James Howard should provide depth at the cornerback spot in their second years in the program.

Two newcomers joined the squad after signing their National Letters of Intent last February.  Tejuan James is an all-district performer and a member of Toledo Central Catholic's 2012 state championship squad.  Devyn Manson from Lansing Waverly is in the mode of former Waverly and WSU standout Dante Dunn.  Manson is the son of former Michigan State standout defensive back Damian Manson.

Junior safeties Jamiil Williams and Zak Bielecki combined for 14 starts last season for WSU.  Williams totaled 42 tackles in 2013, while Bielecki, a two-time GLIAC All-Academic selection, has made 59 career tackles.

"We have some young guys that are going to contribute," Winters said of the safety position. "James Hendrix played a little cornerback and we moved him to safety last spring.  DeAndre Grady is a young man who is very talented.  We are looking forward to seeing him play.  Ronny Brant and Marqua Perdue are both big, physical hitters.  They are just learning, but they will contribute, especially on special teams."

Hendrix recorded 10 stops a year ago and was a GLIAC All-Academic honoree, while Grady, Brant and Perdue will look to make their collegiate debuts in 2014.

The Warriors added depth in the defensive backfield with the addition of Darrell McEntire from Detroit Loyola and Jalen Murphy from Chandler Park Academy.