Today's W&M football preseason camp update features a preview of the Tribe's defensive backs. Head Coach Jimmye Laycock discusses the position group in the video feature available above or by clicking here. Additionally, a written preview is available below.
 
Be sure to visit the team's preseason camp central page to get caught up on the team's preparation for the upcoming season opener at NC State on Sept. 1.
 
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Tribe's secondary has achieved a level of success in recent years that few FCS programs can match. In addition to garnering numerous All-America and all-conference honors, six former W&M defensive backs have earned spots on active NFL rosters dating back through the 2009 season. Consensus first-team All-American free safety DeAndre Houston-Carson added his name to that impressive list last spring when he was a sixth round draft pick by the Chicago Bears. His loss to graduation, as well as that of three-year starting strong safety Jared Velasquez, will pose a challenge for defensive backs coach Trey Henderson. However, the unit returns both starting cornerbacks and a strong contingent of talented young safeties who are eager to earn an increased role this fall and continue to build upon the level of production that has become the hallmark of W&M's secondary.
            
Senior captain Trey Reed (5-8, 160) and junior Aaron Swinton (5-9, 173) return as starters at cornerback and should give the Tribe one of the CAA's elite tandems at the position. An all-conference selection last fall, Reed enters his third season as a starter and is an aggressive cornerback who plays bigger than his stature. The Stafford, Va., native is fearless competitor who boasts tremendous explosiveness and quickness. One of the defensive unit's top playmakers, he has generated three forced fumbles and three interceptions during the past two seasons.
            
Swinton will look to reclaim his starting role this fall after missing nearly the entire 2015 campaign because of season-ending injury suffered in the opener at Lafayette. The team's best all-around cornerback, Swinton is excellent in coverage and is a physical tackler in the run game. Additionally, he combines his physical gifts with a competitive nature, tremendous work ethic and good knowledge of the game. All of those impressive traits were evident in his lone appearance last season when he recorded an interception and posted a 40-yard kickoff return.
            
With the graduation of Houston-Carson and Velasquez, a trio of players will compete for the starting safety spots. Junior Mike Barta (6-2, 205), junior Richie DiPietro (5-10, 207) and redshirt freshman Corey Parker (5-11, 190) distinguished themselves during the spring and have all shown the ability to excel. After earning three starts at free safety last season, Barta gained valuable game experience and emerged as a reliable safety who has an excellent knowledge of the defense. Long and rangy, the Ashburn, Va., native is a physical tackler who plays with great effort.  
            
DiPietro provides the Tribe with an experienced player who has excelled on special teams during the past few seasons. A high-motor safety, the Olney, Md., native is a physical tackler who has a good nose for the ball. Additionally, he possesses playmaking ability and displayed tremendous progress during the spring.
            
Parker is a talented young player who transitioned from cornerback to strong safety during the spring and showed great promise. Although he did not earn any game experience during his true freshman season, he demonstrated poise during the spring. The Haymarket, Va., native combines the cover skills of a cornerback with the tackling skills of a safety and gives the defense flexibility in how it can attack opposing offenses. 
            
Providing depth in the secondary will be a pair of juniors in cornerback Denzel Dykes (6-0, 180) and cornerback/safety Anthony Fullum (5-10, 190), as well as sophomore Raeshawn Smith (5-10, 172). A starter in eight games last season, Dykes is an experienced player and the team's best man-to-man cover corner. Smooth, fluid and quick, the Waldorf, Md., native is extremely athletic. Fullum is one of the secondary's most versatile players and can lineup at either corner or safety. The Glenn Dale, Md., native is a smart defensive back who possesses a good understanding of the game and has the potential to make a significant impact on special teams. Smith is a talented young player who earned four starts last season and posted a pair of interceptions. The Alexandria, Va., native is an aggressive playmaker who possesses good quickness and instincts and competes with a high level of confidence.