Complete Overhaul
2025 turned out to be an incredibly frustrating year for the YSU secondary. Despite retaining core pieces like DJ Harris and Makai Shahid from the previous season, and adding several impact players through the portal, things never came together for the back end of the defense.
After surrendering around 252 passing yards per game and nearly eight yards per attempt, the defensive backfield underwent a major overhaul this offseason – some players gone to graduation and others searching for a new home in the transfer portal.
With all five starters departing and Ryan Riemedio in place as the new defensive coordinator, there is hope that YSU will be able to correct its fatal flaws from last season and rely on transfer experience to reshape the narrative of the secondary.
Portal Additions
YSU added six transfers to the defensive backfield during the portal cycle, including several players who figure to contribute right away.
Safety
S Cam Smith carries with him his father’s championship legacy at Youngstown State and valuable Power Four experience. Last season at Iowa State, Smith saw action in eleven games, racking up a career-high four tackles against rival Iowa and closing the campaign with nine total tackles. He was also able to contribute in 2024, competing in all 14 contests for the Cyclones and putting up an identical stat line of nine tackles.
When Smith announced his intent to enter the portal, he was rated a three-star transfer and the No. 139 safety by 247Sports. With advanced footwork and elite ball-tracking skills, Smith will be an instant contender to start at safety for the Penguins.
Raleigh Collins III comes to Youngstown after spending one season with New Hampshire and three seasons with West Virginia (2022–24). With the Wildcats, Collins III totaled 40 tackles, two interceptions, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble.
He boasts a massive frame at 6-3, 195, and has a proven track record of being a physical run defender at the safety position. In addition to experience at safety, Collins has also played nickel.
Cincinnati transfer Stanley Clyne provides more depth and stability to the safety room. Clyne played in eight games last season, registering four tackles (two solo, two assists), while 2024 served as a developmental year.
Clyne is known for his superb speed and ability to fly across the field with seemingly no effort.
Cornerback
The YSU coaching staff was also able to rebuild at cornerback, with Devaon Holman (Butler) and Darvens Tunis (Shippensburg) joining the program.
Holman was a 2025 All-Pioneer Football League First Team selection and produced top-end numbers (44 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 2 INTs) with the Bulldogs. His ability to break on the ball at an incredible rate and plow through receivers with his physicality makes him an interesting name to monitor this spring.
Tunis, on the other hand, spent two seasons at D2 Shippensburg and secured a starting role last season. In nine games, he recorded 27 tackles and seven pass deflections. Being a young player with early collegiate experience will give him an edge over potential competition.
Hybrid
Julius Jackson rounds out the group of defensive back transfers. Jackson has experience at both cornerback and safety, suggesting that YSU could flex him out to a hybrid role.
Jackson brings the most production of the six secondary additions, combining for 143 tackles, seven TFLs, and two interceptions in his career at Washburn. Of those 143 tackles, Jackson recorded 105 in the last two seasons.
A strong leader with a versatile skill set, Jackson will look to carve out a role for himself at the Division I level.
Key Returners
Jussiah Williams-West returns as the only significant contributor in the defensive backfield from last fall. Williams-West started four games and totaled 29 tackles and two TFLs, filling in for Dathan Hickey when he dealt with injury.
At Wayne High School, Williams-West was a First Team All-Ohio Division I selection and earned a three-star rating from 247Sports and On3.
Fellow safety Weston Sturzinger is another young player looking to elevate his game next season and fend off transfer additions. Sturzinger saw action in six games last season and, like Williams-West, burned his redshirt.
He totaled eight tackles in what was a nice comeback campaign after he tore his ACL, LCL, and hamstring before his senior high school season.
Jordan Rudolph is the final stalwart looking to make an impact, recovering from an injury he suffered in fall camp. Rudolph was a starter in last year’s spring game and was expected to be a big-time contributor for the Penguins in 2025.
In 2024, Rudolph started three games, racking up 12 tackles and two pass deflections.
