The Jackrabbit safety room has been a position of strength for most of the last decade. The Jacks have had terrific depth, a bounty of playmakers, and experience throughout the room. However, this year, at least from the outside, looks different. At least this is how I felt before speaking with the new safety coach, Rob Armand. Armand previously was the safeties coach at Bowling Green. He is pumped for the guys who stayed and he is excited about the guys they have added who bring some additional experience to the room. Armand shared about the culture of the room and it sure sounds like what Coach Bergy established when he was the safeties coach. It is a bunch of guys who care about one another and are out there competing for reps and coaching one another so they get better.
Nebraska transfer #25 Koby Bretz (6’2, 205) was the first player Armand highlighted. Bretz played in 16 games for the Huskers in mostly a special teams role. Bretz was one of the first transfers to commit to the Jacks after Coach Jackson arrived. Armand said that he is big and thick. He’s very excited about his big play potential and thinks he could have a big season. He shared that he moves really well and that he is very athletic. Bretz is still learning the scheme and is developing in the defense but his athleticism helps him recover.
#7 Zayid Aziz (5’11, 190) was the next player he highlighted. Aziz transferred in from Georgetown where he was a multi year starter at safety and as the nickel. Over the last two years he had 63 tackles and had 8 PBUs in 2024 alone. Armand said that he has the ability to make plays all over the place. He’s learning the defense but is a high academic kid that will pick it up. They have yet to see Zayid in pads because he wasn’t in Brookings for spring ball but they love his ability to play safety and nickel.
A familiar face that returns is special teams dynamo #3 Dontay Johnson (6’2, 190). Dontay has also been a part of the safety rotation as well and has made some big plays for the Jacks. He finished last season with 10 tackles and 2 PBUs but missed the entire month of October due to injury. Armand said that he is the leader of the room and has been one of the main reasons the culture has remained the same. He knows the defense so well according to Armand that it is like having a coach on the field. He said that due to Dontay’s history of injuries, he has taken a real professional approach in getting his body ready for this season. He feels Dontay has All-American potential heading into this season.
One of the more vocal players about staying in Brookings and not portaling was #6 Jalen Lee (6’0, 200). Lee made the switch from corner to safety for spring ball but according to Coach Armand, it hasn’t been a huge transition because Lee knows the assignment of everyone on defense (his previous position coach said the same things). Armand loves his man coverage ability and how well he communicates to the rest of the defense. Armand believes he has the ability to play all over the defense and knows he’ll contribute this year in a major way. Last year he had 14 total tackles and was a big time player on special teams.
A player I am excited to see is #12 Jason Thome (6’0, 190), a transfer from Colorado Mesa. Armand said he is a hard hitter who just makes plays. In his two seasons at Mesa, he totaled 86 tackles, 9 INTs, and 8 PBUs in just 20 games. Again, they have not seen Thome with pads on yet but they think he has a very high ceiling and also a very high floor. He’s very intelligent and has really high character. Thome is a player I’ll be keeping an eye on this summer and fall.
Another returning player is #27 Noah Thompson (6’0, 185) who started to see more and more playing time last fall. He finished the season with 8 tackles and a PBU and one memorable blocked punt return. Armand credits him with being a great student of the game and for his impressive knowledge of this defense. His goal this season is to finish plays because his ability and knowledge is leading him there. Armand credits him with buying into the coaching, teaching, and technique changes this summer. I think Noah is another guy that will push to get on the field and make a ton of plays on special teams this season.
#38 Max Stanard (5’11, 190) is the final returning player. Max didn’t see any game action as a true freshman but he did dominate on the practice field earning scout team defensive player of the week on 3 separate occasions plus another for his work on special teams. Armand said that he is a great kid and that made huge strides this spring getting comfortable in the defense. He said he is gaining confidence and will contribute this season.
The incoming freshmen are #31 Carter York (5’11, 185), #43 Cam Cribari (6’0, 175), and #35 Finn Benz (6’2, 190). Armand said that all three of these guys showed up in shape and he has been impressed how they have attacked the work so far. York looks really good in this scheme, Cribari has added good weight and has shown good movement skills, while Benz just keeps growing and will be a big safety or a sam linebacker in the future.
Go Jacks!
Matt
