As we hit the preview portion of the 2025 FCS offseason, HERO Sports will rank the top returning players by position group.
While what happens on the field and how things finish at the end of the season is what really matters, preseason rankings give fans an idea of which players and teams they should keep an eye on.
Here are the top returning defensive backs in 2025.
NOTES:
- These rankings are formed by a combination of on-field production, postseason accolades, PFF grades, and the author’s opinion/FCS knowledge (watching games, knowing what system players are in, strength of opponents, etc.).
- FBS-to-FCS transfers will not be included.
- Top Returning FCS Quarterbacks
- Top Returning FCS Linebackers
- Top Returning FCS Offensive Linemen
- Top Returning FCS Running Backs
- Top 25 Returning FCS Tight Ends
- Top Returning Wide Receivers
Best Returning FCS Safeties
25. Dillon Williams, Central Arkansas
24. Dejuan Lewis, South Dakota (transfer from Lamar)
23. Christopher Jean, CCSU
22. Darius Givance, North Dakota State
21. Sean Williams, Dartmouth
20. Nick Hoying, Bucknell
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19. Kyree Anderson, East Texas A&M
18. Kouri Crump, VMI
17. Zach Lewis, North Dakota (transfer from Northern Arizona)
16. Mason Rivera, Cal Poly
15. Nasir Hill, Princeton
14. Matthew McClelland, Southern Illinois (transfer from Morehead State)
13. Kristian Pugh, Lamar
12. Khalani Riddick, UC Davis (transfer from SEMO)
11. C.J. Coombes, Wofford
10. Malcolm Reed, North Carolina Central
9. Jaheim Ward, Eastern Kentucky
8. Cam Chapa, Northern Colorado
7. Kimal Clark, Indiana State (transfer from CCSU)
6. Tyler Morton, UIW (transfer from Nicholls)
5. Tim Coutras, Tennessee Tech
Coutras enters 2025 as a back-to-back Big South-OVC All-Conference First Team performer. In 2023, he recorded 55 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, four interceptions, and two pass breakups. Last fall, Coutras tallied 59 tackles, three TFLs, two forced fumbles, three interceptions, and eight pass breakups. He has been named on multiple preseason All-American teams.
4. Abu Kamara, Yale
A preseason First Team All-American, Kamara enjoyed a breakout season last fall. In 10 games, he had a team-high 84 total tackles, including two TFLs, two interceptions, five pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. Kamara was named on the All-Ivy League First Team while earning AP Honorable Mention All-American honors. He graded out as PFF’s No. 4 FCS safety.
3. Nick Peltekian, Lehigh
A preseason Third Team All-American, Peltekian is a two-time All-Patriot League selection. In 2023 as a Second Team performer, he totaled 91 tackles, four TFLs, and five pass breakups. Last fall, Peltekian tallied 74 tackles and four interceptions, getting named on the All-Conference First Team. Peltekian graded out as PFF’s No. 2 FCS safety.
2. Ty Bartrum, Harvard
Bartrum is a preseason First Team All-American and was named to the Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List. But perhaps his biggest honor was being named team captain. Harvard has a special tradition of naming just one football captain per season, and Bartrum was named the 151st team captain. He is a back-to-back All-Ivy League selection, totaling 78 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and three interceptions in 2023. Last season, Bartrum recorded 83 tackles in 10 games, including five TFLs, one interception, and four pass breakups. He graded out as PFF’s No. 13 FCS safety.
1. Rex Connors, UC Davis
Connors is a preseason First Team All-American and the Big Sky’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. He’s a three-time All-Big Sky safety and a 2024 All-American. Connors finished last year with 115 tackles despite missing three games, including 3.5 TFLs, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. In 2023, he had 59 tackles, one interception, and six pass breakups in seven games. In 2022 as a freshman, Connors totaled 88 tackles, four TFLs, five interceptions, and five pass breakups in nine games. He was named to the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl 1000.
RELATED: HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25
Best Returning FCS Cornerbacks
25. Devyn Perkins, Utah Tech (transfer from SUU)
24. Jonathan Cabral-Martin, Northern Iowa
23. Caesar Magee III, Northwestern State
22. Mikale Greer, Northern Arizona
21. Ellis Ellis Jr., Austin Peay
20. Caleb Francis, Presbyterian
19. Ken Moore Jr., Western Carolina
18. Khamron Ford, Southeastern
17. Damien Henderson, Harvard
16. Kenny Selby, Sacred Heart
15. Elias Archie, Brown
14. Quincy Briggs, Georgetown
13. Zahmir Dawud, Villanova
12. Jeremiah Batiste, Chattanooga
11. Cam Jones, Holy Cross
10. Justus Johnson, SEMO
9. Myles Brodie, Towson
8. DaJean Wells, Eastern Washington
7. LaMarion Pierce, UT Martin
6. Jarod Washington, South Carolina State
5. Kasyus Kurns, Tarleton State
Kurns enters 2025 as a preseason Second Team All-American. In 2023, he notched 43 tackles, one interception, and eight pass breakups. Last year, Kurns racked up 64 tackles, six TFLs, two interceptions, nine pass breakups, and three forced fumbles, earning All-UAC Second Team accolades.
4. Charles Demmings, SFA
Demmings is a preseason Second Team All-American and was named to the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl 1000. In 2023, he recorded 18 tackles, two interceptions, and eight pass breakups. Last fall, Demmings added 19 tackles, two interceptions, and 10 pass breakups, grading out with PFF’s No. 21 coverage grade among FCS cornerbacks.
3. Nahil Perkins, Samford (transfer from Fordham)
Perkins is a preseason First Team All-American after transferring from Fordham. He’s a back-to-back All-Patriot League First Team selection and a 2024 All-American. In 2023, he recorded 62 tackles, three interceptions, and 14 pass breakups. Last season, Perkins had 56 tackles, five TFLs, five interceptions, and 15 pass breakups, grading out with PFF’s No. 13 coverage grade among FCS cornerbacks.
2. JaMichael McGoy Jr., UT Martin
McGoy is a back-to-back Big South-OVC Football Association selection, getting named on the 2023 Second Team and 2024 First Team. In 2023, he had 29 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 pass breakups. Last fall, McGoy tallied 43 tackles, three TFLs, three interceptions, and 18 pass breakups. He enters 2025 as a preseason First Team All-American.
1. Jalen Jones, William & Mary
Jones is a preseason First Team All-American and was named to the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl 1000. Jones kickstarted his W&M career as the 2022 CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year along with FCS Freshman All-American honors, notching 24 tackles, four interceptions, and eight pass breakups. In 2023, he added 17 tackles and five pass breakups. Last fall, Jones recorded 48 tackles, two TFLs, two interceptions, 20 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. Jones earned All-CAA First Team honors while being named on six All-American teams.
