University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mikey Reeves
Football Position Previews: Cornerbacks and Defensive Line
8/15/2025 6:06:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware football team is preparing for its first year at the FBS level, a historic season that kicks off at home against Delaware State on Thursday, August 28 at 7 p.m. Throughout fall camp, positional previews will be posted online to spotlight the different units that make up the 2025 Fightin' Blue Hens.
CORNERBACKS
Defensive Pass Game Coordinator and Cornerbacks Coach Corico Wright leads the unit in his third season with the Blue Hens.
"It's been an awesome camp, a very competitive camp," Wright said. "We have the most depth we've ever had, which is an amazing thing for us, especially covering all the fast receivers on our roster."
The cornerback room features a veteran presence from A'Khoury Lyde (24 career games), Nyair Domnie (23 career games), Nate Evans (17 career games), and Kshawn Cox Jr. (10 career games). Evans earned Preseason All-Conference USA Third Team honors from Athlon Sports while Lyde was on the fourth team.
Graduate transfer Keontae Jenkins (Coastal Carolina) joins the fray with experience, playing in 25 career games.
Sophomore returnee Alex Adebayo did not see game action as a freshman, while Jamarion Kolagbodi (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Snider), Jalen Ross (Jacksonville, Fla. / The Bolles School), and Azir Lee (Camden, N.J. / Camden) were part of the 2025 recruiting class.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Defensive Line Coach Kyre Hawkins commands the room in his second season at UD.
"We are on the right track up front," Hawkins said. "I am pleased with the development of the D-line."
The defensive tackle spot is a very senior group, with graduates Jack Hall and Keyshawn Hunter leading the way. Hall has appeared in 43 career games and was a Athlon Sports Preseason All-Conference USA Fourth Team member, while Hunter was a Athlon Sports Preseason All-Conference USA Third Team member with 26 games played.
Seniors Nick Karika (31 games played), Dominick Brogna (25 games played), and James Yelbert Jr. (22 games played) provide more veteran options in the rotation. Kion Wright and Trace Scott III have played sparingly throughout their careers, while freshman Micah Pryor (Stone Mountain, Ga. / Greater Atlanta Christian) joins the room this season.
At the defensive end spot, Ethan Saunders (38 games played), Kentucky transfer Noah Matthews (26 games played), and Q'yaeir Price (15 games played) spotlight the rotation.
Other returnees include Nate Ray, Carson Shockley, and Kaeden Singleton. Two freshmen joined the room this season in Brandon Gorham (Odenton, Md. / Arundel) and Yamdry Hernandez (Atlantic City, N.J. / Atlantic City Institute of Technology).
TICKET INFORMATION
Don't miss your chance to be part of the action at Delaware Stadium this fall. Get your single-game tickets for the 2025 Delaware home football season today!
Season tickets offer the best seats at the best price for every home game and come with great benefits, such as ticket priority for away games and invites to exclusive member-only events. Partial Plans offer fans flexible options and price savings over individual games.
For more information or to secure your seats, visit BlueHens.com/fbtickets.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
CORNERBACKS
Defensive Pass Game Coordinator and Cornerbacks Coach Corico Wright leads the unit in his third season with the Blue Hens.
"It's been an awesome camp, a very competitive camp," Wright said. "We have the most depth we've ever had, which is an amazing thing for us, especially covering all the fast receivers on our roster."
The cornerback room features a veteran presence from A'Khoury Lyde (24 career games), Nyair Domnie (23 career games), Nate Evans (17 career games), and Kshawn Cox Jr. (10 career games). Evans earned Preseason All-Conference USA Third Team honors from Athlon Sports while Lyde was on the fourth team.
Graduate transfer Keontae Jenkins (Coastal Carolina) joins the fray with experience, playing in 25 career games.
Sophomore returnee Alex Adebayo did not see game action as a freshman, while Jamarion Kolagbodi (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Snider), Jalen Ross (Jacksonville, Fla. / The Bolles School), and Azir Lee (Camden, N.J. / Camden) were part of the 2025 recruiting class.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Defensive Line Coach Kyre Hawkins commands the room in his second season at UD.
"We are on the right track up front," Hawkins said. "I am pleased with the development of the D-line."
The defensive tackle spot is a very senior group, with graduates Jack Hall and Keyshawn Hunter leading the way. Hall has appeared in 43 career games and was a Athlon Sports Preseason All-Conference USA Fourth Team member, while Hunter was a Athlon Sports Preseason All-Conference USA Third Team member with 26 games played.
Seniors Nick Karika (31 games played), Dominick Brogna (25 games played), and James Yelbert Jr. (22 games played) provide more veteran options in the rotation. Kion Wright and Trace Scott III have played sparingly throughout their careers, while freshman Micah Pryor (Stone Mountain, Ga. / Greater Atlanta Christian) joins the room this season.
At the defensive end spot, Ethan Saunders (38 games played), Kentucky transfer Noah Matthews (26 games played), and Q'yaeir Price (15 games played) spotlight the rotation.
Other returnees include Nate Ray, Carson Shockley, and Kaeden Singleton. Two freshmen joined the room this season in Brandon Gorham (Odenton, Md. / Arundel) and Yamdry Hernandez (Atlantic City, N.J. / Atlantic City Institute of Technology).
TICKET INFORMATION
Don't miss your chance to be part of the action at Delaware Stadium this fall. Get your single-game tickets for the 2025 Delaware home football season today!
Season tickets offer the best seats at the best price for every home game and come with great benefits, such as ticket priority for away games and invites to exclusive member-only events. Partial Plans offer fans flexible options and price savings over individual games.
For more information or to secure your seats, visit BlueHens.com/fbtickets.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware football, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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