Wayne State University Athletics

Football 8/27/2026 8:27:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

WSU Football - 2026 Defensive Backs

DETROIT -- This is the final position preview for the 2026 Wayne State University football team. This segment features defensive backs coach Kaleb Dawson along with former Warrior Brady Beedon.

Starting with the safety and bandit positions, WSU has six returnees plus two transfers and a true freshman.

Two of the most veteran returnees at safety are redshirt sophomore Amauri Haller (Port Huron, Mich.) and redshirt senior Kelly Matthews (Detroit, Mich. / River Rouge [Concordia, Mich.]).

Haller has played in seven games over the last two seasons making six career tackles (5-1), while Matthews played in eight games in 2025, making seven starts in first season as a Warrior to earn a letter. He totaled 32 tackles (27-5), along with three pass break-ups and two interceptions.

Also in the mix at safety are redshirt freshman Drew Rankin (Northville, Mich.) and true freshman Sterling Frye (Romulus, Mich.). Rankin played in three games as a true freshman in 2025 recording a career-best four tackles (3-1) at Ferris State. Frye recorded 33 tackles in 2025 for Romulus High School, including five for loss (four sacks), along with three pass break-ups.

Newcomer Jonathon Melendez (Trenton, Mich. [Adrian]) is battling three returnees for playing time at the bandit position. Redshirt freshman Dharon Flowers (Holland, Ohio / Toledo Central Catholic), along with redshirt juniors Torrence Greene (Ypsilanti, Mich. / Ann Arbor Huron) and Jaydon Bush (Southfield, Mich. / Southfield A&T) are the returnees. The other newcomer at bandit is junior Kymani Fenika (Herald, Calif. / Liberty Ranch [Sacramento City College]).

Melendez played in 12 games over two seasons at Findlay, then appeared in seven contests for Adrian in 2025. Flowers appeared in three games as a true freshman in 2025, while Greene is looking for his first action since 2023 after missing the last two seasons. Bush has appeared in 13 games in first three seasons with the Green and Gold. Fenika made 61 tackles (41-20) in 15 games over the last two seasons for Sacramento City College.

Four newcomers and three returnees are slated to man the cornerback positions. The Warrior veterans are redshirt sophomore Jasir Rahaman (Detroit, Mich. / Univ. of Detroit Jesuit), redshirt freshman Jaheem Richmond (Detroit, Mich. / River Rouge) and redshirt sophomore Amire Harris (Detroit, Mich. / Denby).

Rahaman has appeared in nine career contests, making one start. He has recorded 17 tackles (12-5), including one for loss. Richmond played in three games as a true freshman, while Harris returns to the roster after appearing in three contests as a back-up cornerback in 2024.

Leading the newcomers at cornerback are redshirt sophomore Dereon Foster (Romeo, Mich. [Lawrence Tech]), junior Elijah Hayward (Ypsilanti, Mich. / Ann Arbor Huron [Adrian]), senior Cammern Jordan (Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Piper [Nebraska Kearney]), and freshman Jaden McDonald (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Detroit Central).

Foster played in nine games for Lawrence Tech in 2025 and was credited with nine tackles (7-2) and two pass break-ups, plus had an interception against Taylor. Hayward appeared in 12 games over the last two seasons for Adrian making 22 tackles (13-9). Jordan is looking to see his first collegiate action since 2022. McDonald was named to the 2025 Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Division 6 All-State Team as a defensive back.

We previously mentioned a couple of "Sam" linebackers in the linebackers preview, but two other defensive backs have moved to the Sam position. They are redshirt sophomore Ka'Vion Smith (Holly, Mich. [Lawrence Tech]) and redshirt freshman Liam Distelzweig (Ypsilanti, Mich. / Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard).

Smith played in seven games as a redshirt freshman for the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils in 2025, while Distelzweig appeared in three games in 2025 as a true freshman for the Warriors.

Other Position Previews
Season Preview
Quarterbacks Preview
Running Backs Preview
Defensive Coordinator
Special Teams Preview
Linebackers Preview
Defensive Line
Offensive Line Preview
Wide Receivers Preview
Tight Ends Preview

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Players Mentioned

#43 Jaydon Bush: Bandit; 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior

#12 Liam Distelzweig: SLB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#31 Dharon Flowers: Bandit; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#7 Torrence Greene: Bandit; 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior

#3 Amauri Haller: S/CB; 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore

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

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

#27 Drew Rankin: S; 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman

#18 Jaheem Richmond: CB; 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

#28 Amire Harris: CB; 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#43 Jaydon Bush
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior
: Bandit

#12 Liam Distelzweig
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: SLB

#31 Dharon Flowers
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: Bandit

#7 Torrence Greene
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior
: Bandit

#3 Amauri Haller
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore
: S/CB

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

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

#27 Drew Rankin
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman
: S

#18 Jaheem Richmond
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman
: CB

#28 Amire Harris
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore
: CB