Overall Outlook: There is undeniable star power at safety and solid returning starters at every level of the defense. However, top-to-bottom depth could prove to be the ultimate challenge for the Bulldogs this season.
The Secondary: Stars & Targets
Cornerbacks
Brandon Webster is back after an All-Ivy showing in 2025 and locks down one of the boundary spots. The only real knock on Webster has been his struggles with penalties, as his tenacious style often draws the attention of officials. The opposite corner spot is likely a position opponents will target heavily given the sheer strength Yale boasts at safety. Charles Barkley-Smith and Chris White return with experience and will be critical to shoring up that spot. It would not be surprising to see freshmen get worked in early at corner to build critical future depth.
Safeties
The safety positions should be stacked, barring injuries. Senior Abu Kamara returns as Captain and one of the top defensive backs in Yale’s history, having already been named the 2026 Phil Steele Ivy League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Kamara is an all-around top-tier player: fast, smart, hard-hitting, and always looking to strip the ball.
Senior Osize Daniyan was at one point a larger contributor to the defense than Kamara during his Freshman All-American campaign. He also put together a decent sophomore year before an injury-riddled junior season. When healthy, Daniyan can make plays all over the field and is consistently in the mix in run or pass support.
Junior JP Schmidt burst onto the college football scene causing a fumble vs. Harvard as a freshman and could be the best open-field tackler on the team. Schmidt saved countless plays deep in the 2025 regular season and playoffs with perfect form tackling. Meanwhile, junior Billy Eastep is likely to see action but has to find a way to put it all together this year. He’s been in the right place at the right time, but hasn’t always made the plays. Early camp footage of wideout Lucius Anderson beating Eastep for an easy touchdown reception doesn’t inspire much confidence in an immediate turnaround.
Linebackers: Thin Behind the Anchor
Senior Phoenix Grant returns after a promising junior campaign, and the playmaking range he brings to the second level is much needed this season. He has to limit his mental mistakes and late hits, but he should be primed for a great year.
The other linebacker spot was vacated by a tackling machine and must now be shored up in a hurry. Juniors Steven Partin and Jesse Schutzman have both flashed potential, while there’s still a decent amount of young talent developing between Lucas Price, Alex Kraus, Eddie Palumbo, Joe McCord, and Joseph Barry.
Depth at linebacker is a distinct concern, especially if Grant were to go down. The elite tackling strength of the safeties will alleviate some pressure on the linebackers, but good offensive coordinators will find ways to isolate these weaknesses.
Defensive Line: The Trenches
Jaylin Tate returns to anchor the defensive front with his imposing 295-pound frame. Tate can stonewall opposing linemen, but coaches will want to see his pass-rush move up a notch this year. Zairion Jackson-Bass is back at defensive end following a highly disruptive 6-TFL, 4.5-sack season last year.
The rotation behind them features high upside:
- Mack Johnson could be a breakout performer and has already impressed as a backup.
- Cooper Austin is another defensive tackle with the burst to disrupt the backfield.
- James Cave saw action in six games last year but should be heavily involved this season; his imposing frame gives him the versatility to line up both inside at tackle and outside at end.
- Xavier Coleman flashed in bursts as a freshman, making him an exciting piece on the outside edge.
- Xavier Rivers had a bit of a sophomore slump with Larry back in the mix, but he is positioned to bounce back.
The talent and experience are clearly there along the defensive front. Ultimately, it boils down to how well these trench players developed in the offseason to physically take the next leap.