The Texas State secondary was one of the most impacted position groups by departures heading into preseason practice. However, despite losing four key contributors, it returns some very seasoned players. The group also has a new position coach in Clay Jennings, a veteran college coach from the state of Texas.
 
Check out below for a preview of the Texas State defensive backs.
 
Who's Returning

• Ronnie Hamrick II (second year at Texas State)
• Rodrick Hockley (third year)
• Chris Mills, Jr. (second year)
• Jarron Morris (fifth year)
• Kordell Rodgers (sixth year)
• Kevin Anderson (fourth year)
• Jared Hopper (fourth year)
• Drake Johnson (second year)
• DeJordan Mask (fourth year)
• Tory Spears (third year)
• Peyton Tuggle (fourth year)

 
In a combination of the cornerback and safety positions, the defensive backs return 11 players. As is the case with nearly every position for Texas State, this group of returners is experienced. Rodgers (43 career games played), Morris (38), Anderson (33), Mask (32), Tuggle (22), Spears (17) and Mills (11) have all played double-digit games in a Texas State uniform. All but Tuggle have logged most of that game action on defense as opposed to special teams.
 
The trio of Morris, Rodgers and Anderson have combined to play in 6,179 snaps at the collegiate level. Morris is coming off a season-ending injury but the expectation is he will move towards game action as soon as he is cleared and healthy. Rodgers, who may not have had an interception last season, did pace the team in pass breakups with seven.
 
Mask and Spears had 40 and 38 tackles, respectively, last season as both were key contributors on the defensive side. Mask added in three passes defended (one interception, two pass breakups) as well as a quarterback hurry. Spears also created a turnover opportunity to go with his career-high in tackles, forcing one of the 23 fumbles by Bobcat opponents in 2021.
 
Who's Departed

• Jordan Augustine
• Zion Childress
• Keyshaun Cooper
• Auston Deason
• Ashton Johnson
• Troy Lefeged, Jr.
• Michael LoVett III
• Eric Sutton
• D.C. Williams

 
The Bobcats lost several high-snap players in the secondary, including Troy Lefeged, Jr. (794 defensive snaps), D.C. Williams (678), Zion Childress (618), Michael LoVett III (411), and Eric Sutton (259).
 
Sutton is currently playing in the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts.
 
Who's New

• Alonzo Edwards, Jr. (transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast)
• Bernock Iya (high school)
• Jonathan James (high school)
• Pierre Kemeni (transfer from Ohio)
• Javen Ware (transfer Coahoma Community College)

 
The newcomers are highlighted by an FBS transfer and two junior college transfers. Kemeni, who played at Ohio in 2020 and 2021, joins the Bobcats with more than 200 snaps played in college, of which 150 are on defense. Last season, Kemeni had 13 tackles and one pass breakup in nine games.
 
Edwards, Jr. and Ware are both out of Mississippi junior colleges and have received praise from the Texas State coaching staff in media availabilities in spring and August. Edwards, Jr. played in six games as a freshman at Mississippi Gulf Coast CC while Ware appeared in seven contests with Coahoma CC in 2021 and totaled 13 tackles and five pass breakups.
 
Iya was a three-year letterwinner at Azle High School, playing defensive back and wide receiver. The 6-2 freshman even punted while in high school, but was a two-time all-district first team selection as a defensive back in his junior and senior seasons. In 2021, he had 31 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, five pass breakups and two interceptions.
 
What to Watch For
Last year's Texas State pass defense ranked in the bottom half of the Sun Belt Conference, but with a new position coach in Jennings and a changeover in most of the personnel, the Bobcats will look to improve upon last season. An updated front will take some of the pressure off of the secondary as well.
 
The Bobcats will also attempt to improve its total of three interceptions from a year ago.
 
Other 2022 Position Previews
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Offensive Line
Tight Ends
Quarterbacks
 
Preseason Camp Information
Texas State started official fall camp practices on August 3 and will participate in 20 days of practices before the first game week in late August. Videos of the weekly press conferences can be found here.
 
Ticket Information
Season tickets and single-game tickets are on sale now for the 2022 Texas State football season. Season tickets for all six home games start as low as $80 while single-game tickets start at $20. Fans can purchase their tickets today at TXST.com/tickets.