Wayne State University Athletics

Football 7/28/2026 8:37:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

WSU Football - 2026 Defensive Coordinator

DETROIT -- In this edition of positional previews of the 2026 Wayne State University football squad, Brady Beedon sits down with defensive coordinator Toby Thurman.

The Warrior defense returns just four starters in defensive end Joe Clark, Jr., defensive tackle Justhin Austin, linebacker Max Edwards and safety Kelly Matthews.

Other returnees who made at least one start in 2025 that are back include linebackers CJ Gordon and Ryan Spate, defensive linemen Zach Green, Tanielu Ah-Loe and Creg Johnson, along with Amarion Brownlee and Jasir Rahaman in the secondary.

Clark, Jr. and Gordon are the only two-time WSU letterwinners returning on the defensive side of the ball.

Other Position Previews
Season Preview
Quarterbacks Preview
Running Backs Preview

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Players Mentioned

#95 Tanielu Ah-Loe: DT; 6' 2"; Redshirt Sophomore

#98 Justhin Austin: DT; 6' 1"; Senior

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

#90 Joe Clark, Jr.: DE; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior

#33 Max Edwards: LB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore

#50 CJ Gordon: LB; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#66 Zach Green: DE; 6' 4"; Redshirt Freshman

#63 Creg Johnson: DT; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

#20 Kelly Matthews: S; 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior

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

Players Mentioned

#95 Tanielu Ah-Loe
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Sophomore
: DT

#98 Justhin Austin
: 6' 1"; Senior
: DT

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

#90 Joe Clark, Jr.
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior
: DE

#33 Max Edwards
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore
: LB

#50 CJ Gordon
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: LB

#66 Zach Green
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Freshman
: DE

#63 Creg Johnson
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: DT

#20 Kelly Matthews
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Senior
: S

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