Wayne State University Athletics

Kyle Toth 2017 interception vs. Northwood

Michael Dubicki

Football 8/17/2018 8:25:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

2018 Football Position Previews - Defensive Backs

Listen to Coach West's thoughts on his group.

Kyle Toth with a Homecoming game interception against Northwood.

DETROIT -- Over the next two weeks we will continue previewing each position on the 2018 Wayne State University football team with each position coach highlighting their respective units. Lou West, the second-year co-defensive coordinator along with defensive backs coach, is featured in this segment.

Last year, the Warrior secondary produced Second Team All-GLIAC performer James Howard, along with three Academic All-GLIAC honorees (Kyle Toth, Andy Bielecki and Greg McDade).

The cornerback position has four returning letterwinners, including three who have started games for the Warriors. Senior Malcolm Williams (Detroit, Mich. / Southwestern) and junior Greg McDade (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson) both return to the active roster after missing the final seven and 10 games, respectively of 2017 due to injuries. Williams had five tackles at Tiffin before being injured, while McDade has started four of his 12 career games played.

Sophomore DaVarie Halliburton (Lansing, Mich. / Waverly) saw action at cornerback in nine contests a year ago, including making starts in the first two home games. Senior Devyn Manson (Lansing, Mich. / Waverly) has played in 24 contests and recorded his first collegiate interception in last year's season finale.

Pushing for playing time will be a trio of true freshmen in Samari Dean (Warren, Ohio / Howland), Martell Hill (Akron, Ohio / East) and Joe Wright III (Romulus, Mich.). Senior Myron Riley will redshirt in 2018, after earning WSU's Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2017.

Despite losing Ronny Brant to graduation, the cupboard is not bare at the safety positions.

Three redshirt juniors in Andy Bielecki (Shelby Twp., Mich. / Lutheran North), Anthony Copeland II (Bedford, Ohio) and Kyle Toth (Hudsonville, Mich.) have all seen collegiate action. Bielecki, who missed all of 2017 with an injury, appeared in four contests in 2016. Copeland tallied a career-high nine tackles (5-4) in his first collegiate start at Ferris State a year ago, plus had his first career interception. Toth started all 11 games in 2017 and led the squad in both solo tackles (50) and total tackles (76), while tying for the team lead in pass break-ups (4) and forced fumbles (2).

Adding depth to the safety position will be redshirt freshman Jake Galsterer (Saginaw, Mich. / Reese), while classmate Vernonell Smith, Jr. (Muskegon, Mich. / North Muskegon) will miss the 2018 campaign due to an injury.

Other newcomers at safety include freshmen Tieler Houston (Waterford, Mich. / Clarkston) and DeAnthony Davis (Muskegon, Mich. / Mona Shores).

Other Position Previews
GLIAC Preview

Linebackers

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Defensive Line

Tight Ends

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Players Mentioned

#23 James Howard: CB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior

#17 Andy Bielecki: S; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior

#22 Anthony Copeland II: S; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior

#28 Samari Dean: CB; 6' 0"; Freshman

#26 Jake Galsterer: S; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

#33 DaVarie Halliburton: CB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore

#25 Martell Hill: CB; 6' 1"; Freshman

#23 Tieler Houston: S; 6' 2"; Freshman

#31 Devyn Manson: CB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior

#3 Greg McDade: CB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior

#RS Myron Riley-Brown: CB; 5' 9"; Senior

#RS Vernonell Smith, Jr.: S; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

#23 James Howard
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior
: CB

#17 Andy Bielecki
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior
: S

#22 Anthony Copeland II
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior
: S

#28 Samari Dean
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: CB

#26 Jake Galsterer
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: S

#33 DaVarie Halliburton
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore
: CB

#25 Martell Hill
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: CB

#23 Tieler Houston
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: S

#31 Devyn Manson
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior
: CB

#3 Greg McDade
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior
: CB

#RS Myron Riley-Brown
: 5' 9"; Senior
: CB

#RS Vernonell Smith, Jr.
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: S