CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The backend of Southeast Missouri's defense is loaded with experience and when the secondary is at the top of its game, it can be one of the best in the country.
 
Seven of the eight defensive backs on SEMO's two-deep saw significant reps last season and four return with starting experience between the safety and cornerback spots.
 
"I feel like the defensive backs are the most experienced part of our defense," said Defensive Pass Game Coordinator Ray Smith. "Those seven guys on our two-deep played a minimum of 200 snaps last season."
 
One of the more prominent threats in the defensive backfield is senior Lawrence Johnson. 
 
A native of St. Louis, Johnson played in the first six games and made three starts at strong safety in 2021. He finished with 23 tackles, 14 solo stops and one fumble recovery before sustaining a shoulder injury that ended his season.
 
"Lawrence gets everybody going with his big playmaking ability," said Smith. "He plays with lots of energy and we thrive around him when he is making plays."
 
Junior Donye' Taylor made eight starts at strong safety a year ago and is behind Johnson. Taylor, who hails from Cape Girardeau, ranked sixth on the team with 46 tackles. He also returned his only interception 39 yards to set up a touchdown early in the third quarter at Austin Peay.
 
At free safety, senior Trai Hodges is back after starting 10 games there last season. Hodges led the Redhwks with four interceptions and ranked fourth on the defense with 49 tackles.
 
Junior William McCall is listed next after seeing action in seven contests during his first year at SEMO in 2021. McCall posted 19 tackles and two pass breakups.
 
Senior Ty Leonard and junior Tyler Nelome will likely be the Redhawks starting cornerbacks.
 
Leonard ranked among the team's top 10 tacklers with 39 stops in 10 starts. He added a pair of interceptions, three pass breakups and blocked a kick.
 
Nelome participated in nine games and registered 18 tackles along the way.
 
Newcomers Joedrick Lewis and Henry Pickens III back up Leonard and Nelome at cornerback.
 
Lewis transfers to SEMO from Trinity Valley Community College and Pickens III joins the Redhawks from South Carolina's Palmetto Prep Academy. 

Returnee Antonio Taylor and newcomers JaQori Williams, Eric Ivory, Aquarius Winston, Jr., Jordan Jarrett and Adrian Smith fill out the remainder of the secondary.
 
"I want this group to be maniacs with the study and grow their football IQ," said Smith. "We want to increase our instincts and skills, and work at getting more coverage sacks." 
 
Assisting the defensive backs is first-year coach Darius Hicks who comes to Cape Girardeau from Morningside University, where he coached the last three years.
 
"Coach Hicks brings energy and is very detailed with the fundamentals and big picture of football," commented Smith. "He helps get our mindset to a whole different level."