Position Preview: Defensive Backs
RICHMOND, Va. – Few position groups on Huguenot’s roster enter the 2026 season with the combination of experience, athleticism and flexibility found in the secondary.
The Falcons return several established players in the back end while also carrying enough depth to give defensive coordinator Justin Waddey freedom to get creative with coverages and personnel.
That confidence is reinforced by a deep group of coaches working throughout the secondary. Daijuane Dorsey and Howard Spencer work with the cornerbacks, Carl Smith and Dominic Keel Jr. handle the safeties, and Dre Jarvis works with Huguenot’s Goons/Nickels.
For Waddey, who comes from a secondary background himself, having that level of experience and specialization throughout the staff is a major advantage.
“We have guys that know what it should look like,” Waddey said.
That experience has helped build a secondary Huguenot believes can be one of the defining strengths of the defense.
Zayvon Miller Returns Bigger Without Losing Range
Senior Zayvon Miller enters the season as one of the most established players in Huguenot’s secondary.
Miller arrived at camp noticeably bigger and more physically developed than he has been in previous seasons, but the added size has not taken away from one of the qualities that has made him so effective.
“Even with the weight gain, he hasn’t lost that sideline-to-sideline speed,” Waddey said.
His increased physicality has also been noticeable throughout camp. Waddey has seen several moments where Miller has needed to pull up on potential hits during practice to avoid delivering too much contact to teammates.
That combination of size, range and experience gives Huguenot a veteran presence capable of impacting the game from multiple areas of the field.
Smith Remains the Swiss Army Knife
Junior Cairee Smith gives the Falcons one of their most versatile defensive pieces.
Smith’s combination of athleticism and football intelligence allows Huguenot to move him throughout the secondary based on matchup, formation and situation.
“Cairee continues to be our Swiss Army knife,” Waddey said. “He has the knowledge and ability to play anywhere in our secondary.”
That versatility becomes even more valuable because of the depth surrounding him.
Rather than locking Smith into one role, Waddey can use him where he believes he creates the greatest advantage. His ability to understand multiple responsibilities also allows Huguenot to change looks without constantly changing personnel.
Smith’s football IQ has stood out on both sides of the ball, but defensively it gives Waddey another player capable of helping hold the entire back end together.
Tyrone Miller Jr. Takes Another Step
One of the biggest offseason developments in the secondary has come from Tyrone Miller Jr.
His rise at cornerback happened quickly.
Miller entered last summer without any previous reps at the position, won the starting job during camp and went on to produce a solid season despite learning corner on the fly.
A year later, the expectations are much higher.
“Sounds crazy, but Tyrone Miller,” Waddey said when asked which player had made the biggest jump in the secondary this offseason.
With a full year of experience at corner and an entire offseason dedicated to developing the position, Miller has taken a significant step forward. Huguenot now expects him to regularly draw assignments against some of the best receivers on the schedule.
Young Corners Add More Competition
The cornerback room also has several younger players pushing for opportunities.
Sophomore Jahmeer Jones is expected to see time at corner in addition to his offensive role at running back. His athleticism and ability to contribute in multiple phases give the Falcons another option on the perimeter.
Donnell Henfield Jr., another rising sophomore corner, is also working his way into the competition for playing time.
Henfield put together a productive offseason and earned multiple Division I offers, adding another young, athletic name to a position group already carrying significant depth.
Neither player has to be forced into a major role immediately, but their development gives Huguenot more flexibility and creates additional competition throughout the room.
Wilson and Pleasants Could Be Bigger Factors
The established names are not the only reason Huguenot is confident in the secondary.
Junior Quinn Wilson put together a strong offseason and is expected to become a significant contributor this fall.
Senior Zion Pleasants also enters the season positioned for a larger role.
Pleasants returned from injury last year and began playing some of his best football during the second half of the season. Now more than a year removed from that injury, he enters 2026 healthy and with an opportunity to take another major step.
Waddey’s expectations are especially high.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he leads the team in interceptions,” Waddey said.
The development of Wilson and Pleasants gives Huguenot valuable depth behind its most established players and creates even more flexibility for the staff.
Specialized Coaching Across the Back End
The structure of Huguenot’s secondary staff is another reason the Falcons feel comfortable with the group.
Daijuane Dorsey and Howard Spencer work with the cornerbacks, helping develop technique, coverage ability and the confidence required to play on the perimeter.
At safety, Carl Smith and Dominic Keel Jr. work with a group responsible for communication, range and keeping the entire secondary organized.
Dre Jarvis works with the Goons/Nickels, giving Huguenot another specialized area within the back end and helping develop players responsible for handling hybrid responsibilities between coverage, run support and pressure situations.
That structure gives the Falcons multiple voices throughout the secondary while allowing each position to receive focused coaching.
For Waddey, the result is a group he can trust.
Depth Opens the Playbook
The depth throughout the secondary is not simply valuable because it provides insurance.
It changes what Huguenot can do defensively.
“It allows me to get really creative scheme-wise,” Waddey said. “It’s a lot of things we can do coverage-wise with these guys without losing a beat.”
That flexibility becomes important against offenses capable of attacking in different ways.
With experienced corners, versatile safeties and players capable of handling nickel responsibilities, Huguenot can alter coverages and matchups while maintaining confidence in the personnel on the field.
Waddey summarized his confidence in the group simply.
“I sleep well having those guys in the back half,” Waddey said.
A Strength Built on Depth and Experience
Huguenot enters 2026 believing its defensive depth is better than it has been in recent years, and the secondary may be the clearest example.
Zayvon Miller returns bigger and stronger without sacrificing his range. Cairee Smith remains one of the most versatile pieces on the defense. Tyrone Miller Jr. has developed from a first-year corner into a player expected to take on opponents’ top receiving threats.
Wilson is pushing toward a larger role, while Pleasents enters the season healthy and capable of becoming another playmaker in the back end.
Behind all of them is a coaching structure built around specialization, with Dorsey and Spencer working the corners, Smith and Keel working the safeties, and Jarvis handling the Goons/Nickels.
It all fits into Waddey’s larger vision for the defense.
Huguenot wants players to understand their responsibilities well enough to play fast, trust what they see and react with confidence.
Few position groups give the Falcons more ways to do that than the secondary.
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