Be sure to check back Thursday afternoon for a video feature with defensive backs coach Trey Henderson.

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 Lafayette on Sept. 5 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 secondary will see a number of changes this fall, the position group's high level of production is expected to remain constant. Perhaps the most notable change will be a new coach, as longtime Tribe assistant Trey Henderson will oversee the defensive backs this season. Additionally, two-time all-conference cornerback DeAndre Houston-Carson will make the move to free safety following the graduation of all-league standout Ivan Tagoe. Despite the changes, the unit has ample talent and depth to once again be a strength of the defense.

Junior Trey Reed and sophomore Aaron Swinton enter preseason camp as the team's top two cornerbacks and figure to be effective against the opposition's top receiving threats. A starter in all 12 games last season, Reed (5-8, 160) established himself as one of the Tribe's top defensive playmakers and forced three fumbles in 2014. An explosive cornerback with excellent speed and quickness, the Stafford, Va., native is extremely tough, aggressive and competitive.

After appearing in 10 games and earning starts in each of the final three contests as a redshirt freshman last fall, Swinton (5-9, 175) is a talented young player who possesses a tremendous upside as he continues to develop. In addition to being very athletic, the Lancaster, Pa., native is a smart, consistent, versatile player who can line up in multiple spots.

With Houston-Carson's transition to free safety and the return of two-year starter Jared Velasquez at strong safety, W&M boasts one of the league's elite duos. A three-year starter and multiple-time All-CAA selection, Houston-Carson (6-2, 195) established himself as one of the nation's premier cornerbacks during the past few seasons and has multiple traits that should enable him to be equally successful at free safety. A team captain, the Woodford, Va., native blends excellent size, speed and ball skills (six career INTs). Additionally, he is an effective tackler (184 career tackles) and is exceptional on special teams where he ranked second nationally in blocked kicks (four) when he suffered a season-ending injury during Week 9 last season. 

An all-conference candidate, Velasquez (6-0, 210) has steadily emerged into one of the league's top safeties during the past few seasons. In addition to ranking second on the team in tackles last fall (73), he has recorded a pair of pick-sixes during his career. One of the secondary's leaders, the Fairfax, Va., native plays with a physical style and is a good tackler. Additionally, his athleticism is coupled with good cover ability and great ball skills.

Although talented, much of W&M's depth in the secondary is relatively inexperienced. Sophomore Denzel Dykes and redshirt freshman Raeshawn Smith enter preseason camp as the top reserve cornerbacks, while sophomores Mike Barta (free safety), Richie DiPietro II (strong safety) and Keanu Reuben are also slated as top backups.

Dykes (5-11, 175) appeared in 11 games as a true freshman last season and is one of the secondary's most athletic players. Smooth, fluid and quick, the Waldorf, Md., native has shown good ball skills and technique. Smith (5-10, 170) redshirted as a freshman last season but has good quickness and has demonstrated a competitive drive and strong desire to improve.

Barta (6-2, 190) is a long, rangy free safety with a good knowledge of the defense and solidified his backup role with a solid spring. After seeing action in 10 games last season and earning a start, DiPietro (5-10, 207) has shown flashes of play-making ability and is a high-motor safety who plays with a downhill style at strong safety.

Reuben (6-1, 195), who appeared in all 12 games and earned five starts as a redshirt freshman last season, has all the tools to be a significant contributor once again. The Virginia Beach, Va., native is a playmaker who possesses good cover ability and receiver-like ball skills.