Be sure to check back Thursday for a video feature with defensive backs coach Tom Clark.

Additionally, a written preview discussing the team's defensive backs is available below.

Fans can continue to follow the team as it prepares for the season opener at Virginia Tech on Aug. 30 by visiting the preseason camp headquarters page.

Season ticket information is available by clicking here, or by calling the Tribe Ticket office at 757-221-3340.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Although the Tribe loses a pair of starters from last season's secondary – including first-team All-American Jerome Couplin III who signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions in the spring – position coach Tom Clark's group features a talented mix of players who should make it an area of strength once again. Senior free safety Ivan Tagoe, a team captain, leads a group that includes junior all-conference cornerback DeAndre Houston-Carson and junior strong safety Jared Velasquez. Rounding out the unit will be a pair of first-year starters in sophomore cornerback Trey Reed and sophomore nickel back Marcus Harvey. 

With the graduation of Couplin, Tagoe (6-1, 220) will move to free safety after seeing action as a nickelback and strong safety a year ago. One of the league's top-tackling safeties, he finished the 2013 campaign with 88 stops, as his 7.3 tackles per game ranked third in the CAA among defensive backs. A strong, athletic, physical player, he has good range and is a very efficient tackler. Additionally, he has a great understanding of the defense and possesses the tools that should enable him to challenge for postseason honors.

After suffering a season-ending injury late last fall, Velasquez (6-0, 205) is expected to make a healthy return this year as the squad's starting strong safety. A starter in all 10 games in which he appeared as a sophomore, he is an experienced and versatile player who is one of the unit's top tacklers. In addition to his 18-tackle performance at league champion Maine last season, the Fairfax, Va., native's 2013 campaign was highlighted by posting the longest interception return for a touchdown in school history (90 yards) in the homecoming win against James Madison.

Providing another option at safety will be senior Frank Tamakloe (6-3, 194), who has earned playing time as a key reserve during each of the past two seasons. Much improved during the spring, the former Wisconsin transfer is a physical player who has steadily improved his comfort level in W&M's schemes.  

A third-team all-conference cornerback last season, Houston-Carson (6-1, 205) enters his junior year as a preseason All-CAA selection with the ability to become one of the nation's elite corners. En route to establishing himself as one of the league's standouts last fall, he totaled 62 tackles and ranked third in the conference with 1.08 PBU's per game. The Woodford, Va., native possesses excellent size, speed and ball skills and has become a much more confident player. In addition to excelling as a defensive back, he has also established himself as a standout on special teams and has recorded three blocked kicks during the past two seasons.

Lining up opposite of Houston-Carson will be Reed (5-8, 160), who enters his first season as a starter after appearing in 10 games as a reserve during his redshirt freshman campaign last fall. A very talented player, he is a physical, motivated standout who possesses many tools that should enable him to excel. One of the unit's quickest players, he changes direction well and has made steady progress during his time at the College.

Senior Jesse McNeal III (5-11, 180) and redshirt freshman Aaron Swinton (5-9, 172) will add depth at cornerback. McNeal has good size, technical ability and ball skills, while Swinton is very athletic, competitive and displayed a tremendous upside after a good showing during the spring.

Because W&M will often line up with just two starting linebackers, Harvey (6-2, 210) is in position to earn a starting spot as a nickel back. One of the team's most talented young players, he appeared in 11 games as a reserve during his redshirt freshman season. A long, athletic player, his outstanding speed and strength give him tremendous potential on the edge of the Tribe's defense. With continued development, he will provide the unit with an elite playmaker.

Redshirt freshman Keanu Reuben (6-1, 180) will also challenge for reps at the nickel back spot after redshirting last season. The Virginia Beach, Va., native moved over from free safety during the spring and has an ideal body type for his new position. He possesses tremendous ball skills and good range, which should help him eventually develop into one of the secondary's top playmakers.