WASHINGTON – With under a week until the 2023 season kicks off at home against Marist on September 2, GUHoyas.com will take an in-depth look at each position with this edition featuring the team's defensive backs. 

"We've had a really productive camp from a making plays standpoint but also from a growth standpoint," said Defensive Backs Coach Shane Eachus. "When I got here in the spring I was trying to adapt to the system here and making sure we are all on the same page. In the summer we were really able to hit the ground running. I've been really proud of the fact we have a lot of guys who are fighting for starting jobs but they continue to push each other the right way. Ultimately, everyone is kind of making an effort to find their role right now. From a top to bottom aspect we have a lot of talent."

At the cornerback position, the Hoyas will be led by 2023 Patriot League Preseason All-League Team selection Wedner Cadet. During his freshman season, the 2022 Stats Perform FCS All-American recorded 35 tackles, four interceptions and one fumble recovery. 

"Wedner has so much raw talent and a knack for making plays. Since I walked in the door the thing that Wedner has expressed to me is that he is hungry to continue to push his game. Wedner is not going to be satisfied and he wants to be the best at what he does and he has that ability. He buys into the concept that we talk about on defense everyday. He is not as much of a vocal guy but he does lead by example. Young players in particular can watch him and see that even though he is not that much older, he approaches the game like a 10 year vet."

Wedner will be joined by returning cornerbacks Rashon Adams Jr., Kamren Watkins-Hunter, Cameron Nash, Kolubah Pewee and Alpha Barry. GU also adds sophomore Christian Dohler, a former Georgetown men's track team member, and freshmen Quincy Briggs to the 2023 lineup. 

"I wouldn't say there is one guy that leads the room in particular. It's really unique. Each one of the older guys has a role in terms of how they lead and it's unlike any group I've been around before. For our group, it's a true leadership by committee approach and it is a joy to work with. I believe it is a byproduct of being at Georgetown. All of these guys are highly focused and motivated and they understand what it takes to be successful in football and in life."
At the safety position the Hoyas will return seniors Preston Murray, Sherman Steptoe II and Zayid Aziz, juniors Diandre Harris and Kenneth Borders, and sophomores Jaden Dugger and Jamal Marshall. 

"Sherman and Preston have been here a long time but were forced into game action at an early age. They bring a lot of experience to this group along with Jaden and Kenny who have also taken a lot of reps. Jamal has been a very verbal leader and is always making sure everyone is on the same page together. Zayid has a very high football IQ and his mind for the game always shows up in the meeting room. He is always quick to ask a question that he might not have but he knows another person in the room has it.
The Blue & Gray added a lot of youth in the offseason with the additions of freshmen Bijay Boldin, Rayden Waweru, Zeraun Daniel, Brain Dwyer and Gardner Heitzmann."

"It is a very exciting group of young guys. Prior to me getting here the staff did a great job recruiting talent and bringing it in. We brought a ton of guys who grew the room from a depth and a talent standpoint and they are eager to get themselves in the mix."

"My expectation is to have a highly focused, really communicative and competitive room. I want it to be a place where the guys can come in and ask for advice and opinions from their teammates about football. We want to stack days and stack improvement and that translates to success on the field. We have to continue to push forward every day. We know the Patriot League is going to be highly competitive. We start off with a strong nonconference schedule and our bye week is late in the season so our young guys are going to have to come in and battle right away and when their number gets called they will have to be ready to go." 

Additional Defensive Back Notes:

• Adams Jr. has played 20 games as a Hoya and during his sophomore season he tallied 36 tackles, three pass blocks and one fumble recovery. 
• During 2022, Watkins-Hunter appeared in all 11 games for GU and recorded 18 tackles including an interception against Marist. 
• As a freshman, Barry played in five games for the Hoyas and earned two tackles.
• Steptoe earned a Weekly Patriot League Honorable Mention for his performance against Monmouth where he registered a career high tackle mark in a single game with 10.
• Murray appeared in nine games last season and tallied 23 tackles including 1.5 TFL. 
• As a freshman last year, Dugger produced 17 tackles with three pass blocks. 
• In last year's matchup against Marist, Borders posted a season high of five tackles. 
• During his freshman season, Marshall registered five tackles in five games played.