Northwest Wayne News

Wayne State University’s football program is preparing for the 2025 season with a focus on its defensive backs. Over the next month, each position group will be previewed by their respective coaches. This week, defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator Antwon Robinson discussed his unit alongside former Warrior Brady Beedon.

The safety group returns three players with significant experience. Elijah Fowlkes of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, is the only three-year returning letterwinner. He started all 11 games in 2024 and was among the GLIAC leaders in tackles with 61. Redshirt senior Clifton Buchanan from Detroit played in 10 games last season, starting five times and tying for second on the team with five pass break-ups.

Chris Gillam, a redshirt junior from Cincinnati, participated in every game last year after missing the previous season due to injury. In his start at Grand Valley State, he recorded a season-high five tackles.

Redshirt sophomores Jaydon Bush and Torrence Greene return as well. Bush has played in nine games over two seasons, while Greene comes back after missing all of 2024 due to an injury suffered during the spring game.

Other returning safeties include redshirt freshmen Amarion Brownlee and Joseph Stephens. Brownlee saw action in three games as a freshman; Stephens aims to make his collegiate debut this year.

Freshman Drew Rankin joined as an early enrollee in January. Additional first-year players are Liam Distelzweig, Jaheem Richmond, and Joe Tate.

Redshirt senior Josh Sekiyoba re-joins the squad healthy after being briefly on the roster last year.

At cornerback, junior Anthony Walk Jr. leads after starting 11 times across two seasons and making 51 tackles in 18 games. Redshirt senior Jonathan Tillman appeared in all 11 contests last year with five starts. Redshirt sophomore Kejuan Houston also started five times while playing every game in 2024.

Several redshirt freshmen—Phil Cato, Amauri Haller, Jasir Rahaman, and DeCarlos White—each appeared twice last season.

Depth at cornerback will come from freshmen Matthew Evans and Mhakai Lennox-Brooks as well as transfers Titus Lyles and Wendell Smith.

Fall practice begins Monday, August 11th; players report the preceding weekend. The Warriors’ home opener is scheduled for Thursday, September 4th at 6 p.m., when they face the Tiffin Dragons. Season and single-game tickets are available online by clicking here.

“We’re excited about our depth and experience returning this season,” said Robinson. “Our guys have worked hard throughout the offseason.”