DEFENSIVE BACKS OUTLOOK
The Bulldogs' secondary is the most experienced group on the defensive side of the ball and looking to build off a solid 2024 when they ranked among the Mountain West's top pass defenses.
The Bulldogs allowed only 216.2 passing yards per game and led the conference in allowing opponents to complete just 54.6% of their passes and average 6.0 yards per passing attempt. Fresno State also held opponents to a passing efficiency rating of just 113.31, by far the best mark by a defense in the league and 14th in the nation.
Nick Benedetto enters his first season as defensive coordinator and safeties coach, joining the staff from Northern Illinois, where he was the Huskies' defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the past three seasons. NIU last season was the only FBS team in the country to not allow 400 yards of offense in a game, and it also did not allow a 100-yard rusher all season.
With a lot of new faces on the coaching staff, the Red Wave will see a familiar one in J.D. Williams, who enters his ninth season in his current stint with the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs lose a solid safety in Dean Clark, currently in training camp with the New York Jets, but bring back a pair of safeties with starting experience in Valley natives Camryn Bracha (Buchanan High/Fresno City College) and Jayden Davis (Bullard High).
At cornerback, Fresno State lost Cameron Lockridge to graduation and Julian Neal to the transfer portal, but the group brings back preseason All-Mountain West selection Al'zillion Hamilton.
WHO'S BACK (SAFETIES): Bracha, who returns after suffering a season-ending injury at New Mexico last season, was named a Preseason All-Mountain West third team selection by Athlon Sports. He started the first four games before his injury, recording 19 tackles, three pass breakups and one interception.
Davis had a breakout season in 2024, appearing in all 13 games with 10 starts. He recorded 51 total tackles, including 27 solo stops, 1.0 tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup.
Sophomore RL Miller makes the switch to safety from linebacker. He appeared in 10 games last season with four starts and had 16 tackles including 1.0 tackle for loss, and one quarterback hurry.
Jaden Carrillo, Tommy Nix and Ryan Wilson also return.
WHO'S BACK (CORNERBACKS): Hamilton is a preseason All-Mountain West selection, a first-team all-conference selection by Athlon Sports and a second-team pick by Phil Steele. He also is a Shrine Bowl 1000 selection and on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award.
Hamilton returns to the Bulldogs' defense as the most experienced player on the roster with 42 career games played. In 2024, Hamilton finished the year with 52 total tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, 13 pass breakups and one quarterback hurry. He ranked second in the FBS in passes defended, averaging 1.2 per game.
Jakari Embry appeared in all 13 games in his first season as a Bulldog, starting three. A versatile athlete, he played both cornerback and nickel throughout the season and finished with 37 tackles, 1.5 TFL, one fumble recovery, one quarterback hurry and one pass breakup on the season.
RJ Regan, who transferred from Arizona State last season, made the move to safety during the offseason. Regan played in the season-opener against then-No. 9 Michigan before suffering a season-ending injury.
The Bulldogs also return Loyall Mouzon, Ah'Marion Ashley, Jomarion Briggs and Kiontre Harris.
WHO'S NEW (SAFETIES): The group adds one transfer and one true freshman.
Ethan Tierny followed Benedetto to Fresno State from Northern Illinois. During his redshirt freshman season in 2024, he appeared in seven games including the bowl game against the Bulldogs.
Tyger Canales began his high school career at Long Beach Poly, helping the team win a CIF Division IV title as a sophomore, before transferring to JSerra Catholic for his senior season. A three-star recruit (247Sports), he earned second team All-Trinity League honors in 2024 while playing cornerback and safety, and also played some snaps on the offensive side of the ball at quarterback.
WHO'S NEW (CORNERBACKS): A transfer and two freshmen join the room.
Sammie Hunter joins the Bulldogs after spending his freshman season at Utah, utilizing his redshirt year. Hunter played at Chandler High in Arizona, where he was named a three-star recruit by 247Sports, and ranked as the No. 19 player in Arizona for the Class of 2024.
Jonavon Darrington, a three-star recruit from Clovis West High, decided to play for his hometown team.. He was a three-year letterwinner and as a senior tallied 24 tackles and five pass breakups on defense, while also excelling on offense with 58 receptions for 719 yards and nine touchdowns. He added 321 kickoff return yards.
DaJhon Hall was a four-year letterman at Oak Hills High. He was a three-star recruit and first-team all-league selection. Over three varsity seasons, he racked up 111 tackles including 4.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions and 17 pass deflections. As a senior, he recorded 43 tackles and 3.0 TFL.
WHAT TO WATCH: The secondary could be the strength of a defense that will be underrated, given the losses of some productive players through the transfer portal.
It will be interesting to see if teams shy away from Hamilton, one of the top corners in the Mountain West. Last season, he was targeted 79 times, by far the most of any of the Bulldogs' corners. Julian Neal, who transferred to Arkansas, was second with 50 targets.