Tag: defensive backs

Report: Steelers reunite with former defensive coach for 2025 season

The Steelers are bringing back Gerald Alexander as their defensive backs coach, with hopes to bolster their secondary for the 2025 season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ secondary struggled with both penalties and pass defense in several key moments throughout the 2024 season.

It appears the Steel City has decided to make a change, as it has been reported that the Steelers are bringing back their former assistant defensive backs coach, Gerald Alexander, for the 2025 season.

Alexander coached for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2022 to 2023, and spent the 2024 season as the Las Vegas Raiders’ safeties coach.

Alexander will serve as the defensive backs coach for the Black and Gold in 2025—returning in a larger role than previously as an assistant—showcasing his pedigree and desire to move up the coaching ladder.

Under Alexander’s assistance in 2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense led all other NFL teams with 20 interceptions. FS Minkah Fitzpatrick arguably had the best season of his career, accumulating six interceptions, including one pick-six.

Fans of the Black and Gold may view this as a minor coaching staff change, but the 2025 defense could truly reap the rewards of Alexander’s ability to maximize the potential of the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ defensive backs.

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Former Wisconsin safety, Super Bowl champion named head coach at St. John Neumann High School

Former Wisconsin safety, Super Bowl champion named head coach at St. John Neumann

Former Wisconsin star defensive back Chris Maragos was named the coach at St. John Neumann Catholic High School on Wednesday.

Maragos, a Racine, Wisconsin, native, heads to Naples, Florida, for his opportunity with St. John Neumann. He takes over from former coach Rich Crosby. He enters the high school coaching world after one of the more successful NFL undrafted free agent stories in Wisconsin football history.

After transferring from Western Michigan following the 2006 season, Maragos switched from wide receiver to free safety for his two years with the Badgers (2008-09). He recorded 94 tackles and five interceptions during his 26-game UW tenure.

Despite going unselected in the 2010 NFL draft, Maragos played eight NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles.

Maragos spent the bulk of his pro career as an ace on special teams. He played in all 16 games for the Seahawks during their Super Bowl season in 2013. He earned a multiyear contract with the Eagles (2014-17) and was the special teams captain for Philadelphia during its Super Bowl run in 2017.

The Racine native finished his NFL career with 93 total tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 99 career contests.

Now, he’ll lead a Celtics program looking to become one of the premier private schools in a crowded Florida football landscape.

Maragos becomes the second former Badger in as many days to assume high school coaching responsibilities. Former star running back Brian Calhoun became the coach at his alma mater, Oak Creek High School, outside of Milwaukee on Tuesday.

Chiefs Dave Merritt comments on injuries in the secondary: ‘The next guy is ready’

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt comments on injuries in the secondary: ‘The next guy is ready’ | @EdEastonJr

The excessive injuries on the Kansas City Chiefs roster haven’t stopped them from winning this season, but it’s still a concern. Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt spoke with reporters on Thursday about the challenges of dealing with injuries, especially in the secondary.

“I go back, and I think back to the AFC Championship game when LJ (L’Jarius Sneed) went down, and all of a sudden, Josh (Williams) had to go in the game and play after five snaps,” said Merritt. And so not that you want to see this happen, but you know, when you’ve had injuries, the amount of injuries that we’ve had guys in and out, you want to make sure that the next guy is ready.”

The Chiefs recently dealt with injuries to Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson and the season-ending loss of Jaylen Watson. Veteran cornerback Steven Nelson was signed to the practice squad this week as insurance for the postseason.

“We always try to teach our guys and make sure that everyone understands the role that they need to go in and be ready to play. And with that comes a lot of responsibility on the players to make sure they know what they’re doing when the defense is called. So, but it’s not easy.” said Merritt. “You wish everyone would stay healthy. I’m quite sure all the other 30-plus teams would want the same thing. But once you have an injury, you have to be able to overcome it, and hopefully, your next guy is ready to go because everyone’s a starter when you’re in the room.”

Merritt and the coaching staff’s continued confidence in their young secondary has been crucial in their development. The group is essential in their hopes of three-peating as Super Bowl champions.

BREAKING: Wisconsin loses seventh player, fourth defensive back to the transfer portal

BREAKING: Wisconsin loses seventh player, fourth defensive back to the transfer portal

Wisconsin class of 2023 cornerback Jace Arnold announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday.

Arnold is now the seventh former Badger to enter the portal, joining QB Cole LaCrue, OLB Leon Lowery, CB Jonas Duclona, DB Amare Snowden, DL Curt Neal, and DB Justin Taylor. Notably, Arnold is the fourth defensive back and fourth player from Wisconsin’s class of 2023 to enter.

On Tuesday alone, Neal, Taylor and Arnold all announced their intentions to transfer from UW.

“First and foremost I want to thank God for blessing me with the unique gift and the ability to play the game that I have come to love,” Arnold wrote on X. “I want to express my gratitude to my teammates and coaches for the experiences and lessons I’ve gained throughout the last two years of my life. I will always be appreciative of the Wisconsin community and coaching staff. Having said that, after giving it much thought and consulting with my family I have decided to enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility.”

The DB signed with the Badgers as a three-star recruit in the class of 2023 after an impressive 40-tackle, two-INT and 300 all-purpose-yard season in 2022 at Marietta High School in Georgia. He committed to UW in June of 2022.

Arnold played in 14 games during his tenure as a Badger. In those games, he recored one tackle on Oct. 26, 2024, against Penn State. Like Taylor, his departure isn’t much of a surprise.

Defensive back has suddenly become a big need for Wisconsin this offseason. Most of the room’s depth is now portal-bound.

For updates on Wisconsin’s full list of incoming and outgoing transfers, bookmark our 2024 transfer portal tracker.

Wisconsin football offers talented class of 2026 defensive back

Wisconsin football offers talented class of 2026 defensive back

Wisconsin football extended an offer to promising class of 2026 defensive back James Dunnigan Jr. on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound prospect joins quarterback Ryan Hopkins and defensive lineman Josiah Hope as notable recruits from the class of 2026 to receive offers from UW in October. Despite being a junior, Dunnigan Jr. currently boasts eight offers at this stage of his recruiting process.

As of Oct. 25, that list includes Tulsa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas State, Kansas, Colorado State, Utah and Wisconsin. 247Sports considers Dunnigan the No. 36 cornerback and No. 5 overall recruit from Kansas for the class of 2026.

A product of Manhattan High School in Manhattan, Kansas, Dunnigan has accumulated 56 total tackles and three interceptions in 19 appearances for his varsity squad on the gridiron. Dunnigan also plays basketball and runs track for the school.

Dunnigan’s most lethal trait appears to be his speed in the open field. As a sophomore, he recorded 100-meter reps of 10.94, 11.01 and 11.03 seconds.

While he does not boast a crystal ball prediction from 247Sports just yet, On3’s prediction recruiting machine lists the Kansas State Wildcats as the favorite to land the three-star recruit at 58.6%. The outlet then lists Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado State as the next likely options.

Chiefs Justin Reid praises rookie defensive backs’ performances: ‘Two big-time plays’

Kansas City #Chiefs safety Justin Reid praises rookie defensive backs’ performances: ‘Two big-time plays’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid led the team in tackles and secured an interception in Sunday’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers.  He praised his rookie teammates in the secondary during his postgame press conference.

“They never know when the number is going to be called, but they’re always ready to go, and they got to make two big-time plays, and we need them to,” said Reid. “We’re going to need them down the stretch even more, and they’re going to show up more for us (and we’re) more confident in that. CRW (Christian Roland-Wallace) getting that, you know, the toe trap swag on the sideline and then Jaden Hicks, a pick in the end zone, two big-time plays.”

Rookies Christian Roland-Wallace and Jaden Hicks also walked away with crucial interceptions off 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Reid revealed the close nature of the secondary and that he’s not surprised by their breakout performances.

“It’s a unity that we have, not just in our room, but across the whole defense, like we have a team that truly prepares the next man, we’re all in. We communicate daily. We talk about, what if this happens, what if that happens? The next man up — we take time after practice and meet up on our own time.” Reid said. “We still talk coverage, and it works. The guys are confident out there, and we pride ourselves on our physicality. You know, across the board, DBs, we tackle, we’re physical, and we’re going to play press coverage, and we’re going to make it tough on you. You’ve got to find ways to beat us.”

The three interceptions from the secondary and pressure from the defensive line have helped keep the Chiefs undefeated through six games this season.

Two Wisconsin defensive playmakers make 2024 Chuck Bednarik Award watch list

Two Wisconsin defensive playmakers make 2024 Chuck Bednarik Award watch list

Wisconsin star defensive backs Hunter Wohler and Ricardo Hallman cracked the 2024 Chuck Bednarik Award watch list on Monday.

The honor annually recognizes the most outstanding defensive player in college football. 2024 marks the 30th installation of the honor.

This marks Wohler’s fourth preseason award watch list nomination. He’s also been named to the watch list for the 2024 Wuerffel Trophy (community service), 2024 Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back) and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player).

Despite Hallman’s stellar AP Third Team All-American output in 2023, this marks only his first award watch list recognition of the 2024 preseason.

A total of nineteen Big Ten athletes cracked the final list, which was compiled by the Maxwell Football Club, Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as the award’s selection committee partners.

Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman, Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr., Oregon cornerback Jabbar Muhammad and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs are among the two Badgers’ conference rivals to make the final list at their respective positions.

Notable former winners include Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. (2022), Georgia’s Jordan Davis (2021), Ohio State’s Chase Young (2019) and Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick (2017).

Hallman and Wohler will serve as the two leaders of Wisconsin’s defensive backfield in 2024. Wohler recorded 120 tackles in 2023, and Hallman was one of two players in the country to record seven interceptions a season ago.

Both will look to build on their spectacular 2023 season outputs for the Badgers this fall with hopes of bolstering their stocks for the 2025 NFL draft.

Wisconsin star among PFF’s top returning safeties in college football

Wisconsin star among PFF’s top returning safeties in college football

Wisconsin star Hunter Wohler was listed at No. 8 in ProFootballFocus’ recent ranking of the top 10 returning college football safeties entering 2024.

The Wisconsin native landed just above Alabama’s Keon Sabb and West Virginia’s Aubrey Burks, who earned No. 9 and No. 10, respectively in PFF’s ranking.

Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, Georgia’s Malaki Starks, Purdue’s Dillon Thieneman, Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts, Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr., Iowa’s Xavier Nwankpa and Michigan’s Rod Moore rounded out the top 10, ranked ahead of UW’s talented defensive back.

Wohler was named First Team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press a season ago and led all Big Ten defensive backs with 120 total tackles.

The safety’s 74 solo tackles also ranked No. 1 among all qualified defensive backs in NCAA Division I college football. He became the first Big Ten DB to post over 110 tackles, a sack and multiple INTs in the same season since 2010.

The junior captained Wisconsin’s top-25 scoring defense as UW’s most dependable defender throughout the 2023 campaign, and he will look to lead Mike Tressel’s unit once again before he likely declares for the 2025 NFL draft.

Wisconsin class of 2025 CB commit cracks Rivals new top-250 national rankings

Wisconsin 2025 DB commit cracks Rivals top-250 national rankings

Wisconsin football class of 2025 cornerback commit Jaimier Scott moved up to No. 136 in Rivals’ updated national rankings on Wednesday.

Rivals also catapulted the four-star recruit to No. 9 from the state of Ohio and No. 10 at his position in the class.

Despite receiving over 20 offers from Division I programs across the nation, Scott committed to the Badgers on January 20, 2024. The Cincinatti, Ohio native chose UW over programs such as Michigan, Penn State, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Tennessee and Miami (Florida).

247Sports, meanwhile, has Scott as the No. 232 player in the class of 2025, No. 7 athlete and No. 10 recruit from the state of Ohio.

Scott was the third defensive back in the class of 2025 to commit to Luke Fickell’s platoon behind three-star safeties Remington Moss and Grant Dean. The 6-foot-1, 177-pound rising senior remains the only corner to commit to UW in the class.

At the time of Scott’s commitment, Wisconsin’s class of 2025 was ranked No. 9 in the nation. Following recent commitments from wide receiver Cameron Miller and athlete Luke Emmerich, UW’s class of 2025 currently sits at No. 19 nationally with 11 commitments.

Alabama hires former SEC DB as assistant defensive backs coach

The Alabama football coaching staff added a new member in a former SEC defensive back who joins the collegiate coaching ranks.

Former Mississippi State defensive back Kivon Coman will be joining Alabama’s coaching staff. He will serve as a graduate assistant and help coach the defensive backs.

Coman played for Mississippi State from 2013-2016. The Alabama native played in 49 games over the course of his college career. He recorded 188 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and three interceptions for the Bulldogs in four seasons.

Since graduating, Coman has served as an assistant coach for Florence High School and Hoover High School. Both of which are located in the state of Alabama.

Coman joins an Alabama coaching staff that has been assembled in the last three to four weeks. Having played in the SEC, Coman knows the expectations that come with playing at a school like Alabama.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest news regarding the Alabama football program.