Gallery: (8-16-2024) Football Practice 08_15_24
Bronx, N.Y. – As the 2024 Fordham football Rams approach the second scrimmage of fall camp we continue our position-by-position breakdown of the Rams with a look at the defensive backs.
The 2024 Fordham defensive back unit is a talented group, returning six of the eight players listed on the 2023 two-deep. The defensive backs were a big part of last year's success as Fordham ranked second in the Patriot League in scoring defense (24.7).
The returners are led by grad student cornerback and 2024 team captain
Nahil Perkins, a First Team All-Patriot League pick last fall. He was instrumental with the Rams' defense, leading the League and ranking fourth in the NCAA FCS in passes defended (1.5/game). Perkins also was third on the team with 62 total tackles, 37 solo, including two for loss.
The other starter returning in the defensive backfield is senior safety
Demarice Rice-Williams, who registered 13 total tackles, nine solo, last year along with two pass break ups.
Others with experience returning for 2024 include sophomore safeties
Mathani Paul-Swinson, who started six games in 2023, recording 34 total tackles, 12 solo, to go with three pass break ups and one interception, and
Andrew Osmun, who appeared in all eleven games last year, notching 41 total tackles, 25 solo, along with two interceptions and one pass break up.
Also back from last fall are senior
Trey Bradford, who appeared in all eleven games as a junior making 13 total tackles, six solo; junior
Jayln Evans, who played in five games as a sophomore, recording six total tackles, three solo; and sophomores
Nate Lindsey-Gill, who appeared in nine games as a freshman and recorded four total tackles on the season, two solo, and
Justin Johnson, was saw action in six games as a freshman.
The Rams also hope to get senior
Garrett Williams and junior
Alex Kemper back this year after both missed last year with an injury.
Newcomers to the defensive backfield include
Amaurey Brooks, a 2023 Second Team All-Baseline League pick at Rancho Cucamonga High School in California;
Beau Jako a two-time All-Trinity League selection at Servite High School in California;
Terrence Jones II, the Defensive Utility Player of the District last year at Prosper High School in Texas;
Drew Minich, an All Southwest Ohio pick last fall at Lakota West High School in Cincinnati;
Boogie Owens, a 2023 First Team All-District 3-5A Division I selection at Aledo High School in Texas;
Danny Smiechowski, an All-State and All-League honoree at Northern Highlands Regional High School in New Jersey; and
Gavin Stanek, an All-Section 3 selection at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh.
Season and individual game tickets for the 2024 home season are now on sale through the
Fordham Athletic Ticket Office.