Football | 8/13/2015 2:00:00 PM
DETROIT -- Over the next few weeks we will continue previewing each position on the 2015 Wayne State University football team with each position coach highlighting their respective units.
Brad Wilson, the fourth-year defensive backs coach as well as defensive coordinator, is featured in this segment.
In 2014, the Warrior defensive backs corps produced two All-Region recipients as
Zak Bielecki was a Daktronics Second Team All-Region honoree while
Gerren DuHart was a Beyond Sports Network Second Team All-Region selection prior to being named to the USA Football All-America Second Team. Bielecki tied for first in the GLIAC and was ninth nationally in solo tackles per game (6.6), while also earning Academic All-GLIAC honors. DuHart was a First Team All-GLIAC honoree while Bielecki was named to the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention Team.
As a team, the Warrior defense led the GLIAC in both tackles for loss (9.3) and sacks (2.91) per game, which ranked eighth and 22nd nationally, respectively. WSU finished 38th in Division II in total defense allowing 338.5 yards per game. This was in part due to the quality coverage by the secondary.
With three fifth-year seniors having significant starting experience plus sophomore
James Howard (Detroit, Mich. / Chandler Park Academy) and junior
Lairren Johnson (Warren, Mich. / Lincoln) battling for the second cornerback position, the secondary looks to be solid again in 2015.
The safety spots will be led by
Zak Bielecki (Macomb, Mich. / Lutheran North) and
Jamiil Williams (Lima, Ohio / Lima Shawnee). Bielecki has started 16 contests with Williams making 22 career starts. Junior
James Hendrix (Livonia, Mich. / Brother Rice) and sophomore
Ron Brant (Uniontown, Ohio / Green) will provide depth at safety and also help on special teams. Freshmen
Andy Bielecki (Shelby Twp., Mich. / Lutheran North) and
Kyle Toth (Hudsonville, Mich.) will most likely redshirt in 2015.
Brandon Lee (Detroit, Mich. / Southeastern) will start at one corner position opposite either Howard or Johnson. Lee has started the last 17 games at cornerback for the Warriors.
Five true freshmen plus redshirt freshmen
Jared Singletary (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Southfield-Lathrup) and
Devyn Manson (Lansing, Mich. / Waverly) will back-up the aforementioned trio of cornerbacks. The incoming group includes
Greg McDade (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson),
Terry Sanders (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson),
Donte Eubanks (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Harrison),
Tre'von Avery (Grand Blanc, Mich.) and
Anthony Copeland (Bedford, Ohio).
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