Wayne State University Athletics

Football 7/29/2025 2:50:00 PM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

WSU Football - 2025 Defensive Backs Preview

DETROIT -- Over the next four weeks, we will be previewing each position on the 2025 Wayne State University football team with each position coach highlighting their respective units. This segment is the defensive backs preview with defensive backs coach (and defensive coordinator) Antwon Robinson along with former Warrior Brady Beedon.

Starting with the safety position, WSU has three returnees with significance experience along with others with limited collegiate snaps.

The lone three-year returning letterwinner on this year's squad is Elijah Fowlkes (Cleveland, Ohio / Cleveland Heights), who started all 11 games in 2024 and ranked among the GLIAC leaders in tackles with 61. Redshirt senior Clifton Buchanan (Detroit, Mich. / Belleville [Davenport]) appeared in 10 contests last season, starting five times and tied-for-second on the squad with five pass break-ups.

Redshirt junior Chris Gillam (Cincinnati, Ohio / Princeton) played in every game last season after missing the 2023 campaign due to an injury. In his start at Grand Valley State, he totaled a season-high five tackles (2-3).

Redshirt sophomore Jaydon Bush (Southfield, Mich. / Southfield A&T) had played in nine contests in his first two seasons with the Green and Gold, while classmate Torrence Greene (Ypsilanti, Mich. / Ann Arbor Huron) returns to the active roster after missing all of the 2024 season. He was injured in the spring game in April of 2024.

Other returnees include redshirt freshman Amarion Brownlee (Clinton Township, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse), who played in the maximum three games as a freshman, and redshirt freshman Joseph Stephens (Inkster, Mich. / Belleville) who looks to make his collegiate debut in 2025.

Freshman Drew Rankin (Northville, Mich.) joined the Warriors as an early enrollee in January of 2025. Other freshmen are Liam Distelzweig (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard), Dharon Flowers (Toledo, Ohio / Central Catholic), Jaheem Richmond (River Rouge, Mich.) and Joe Tate (Detroit, Mich. / East English Village Prep).

Redshirt senior Josh Sekiyoba (Inglewood, Calif. / Junipero Serra [West Los Angeles C.C. / Lane College]) was on the squad briefly in 2024 but returns fully healthy in 2025.

The cornerback position will be led by junior Anthony Walk, Jr. (Detroit, Mich. / Central), who has started 11 times in his first two years totaling 51 tackles in 18 total games played. Redshirt senior Jonathan Tillman (Mount Clemens, Mich. / Brother Rice [GVSU / CMU / El Camino C.C.]) appeared in all 11 games last season, starting five times. Redshirt sophomore Kejuan Houston (Belleville, Mich.) started five times in 2024, while playing in all 11 games.

Redshirt freshmen Phil Cato (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. / U. of Detroit Jesuit), Amauri Haller (Port Huron, Mich.), Jasir Rahaman (Detroit, Mich. / U. of Detroit Jesuit) and DeCarlos White (Detroit, Mich. / Central) each appeared in two contests a season ago.

Adding depth at the cornerback position is freshman Matthew Evans (Flint, Mich. / Grand Blanc), along with transfer Wendell Smith (Southfield, Mich. / Southfield A&T [Eastern Michigan]).

Wayne State begins fall practice on Monday, August 11th with the players reporting the weekend prior. The home and season opener will take place on Thursday, Sept. 4 with a 6 p.m. kickoff against the Tiffin Dragons. Both season and single-game tickets are available by clicking here.

Other Position Previews
Season Preview
Quarterbacks Preview

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#26 Amarion Brownlee: S; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

#43 Jaydon Bush: S; 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore

#16 Phil Cato: CB; 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman

#2 Elijah Fowlkes: S; 5' 10"; Senior

#21 Chris Gillam: S; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#23 Torrence Greene: S; 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

#15 Amauri Haller: CB; 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman

#RS Kejuan Houston: CB; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore

#24 Jasir Rahaman: CB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#RS Joseph Stephens: S; 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

#26 Amarion Brownlee
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: S

#43 Jaydon Bush
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore
: S

#16 Phil Cato
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman
: CB

#2 Elijah Fowlkes
: 5' 10"; Senior
: S

#21 Chris Gillam
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: S

#23 Torrence Greene
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore
: S

#15 Amauri Haller
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman
: CB

#RS Kejuan Houston
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore
: CB

#24 Jasir Rahaman
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: CB

#RS Joseph Stephens
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman
: S