DAVIS, Calif. – The 2025 UC Davis football defense is poised to be one of the better units in the country with six-year defensive coordinator Matt Coombs surrounding a returning a strong core of Aggies with an equally talented group of incomers.
 
"We did a really good job of rebuilding our unit around the strong group of returners we have for the upcoming season," said Coombs. "Up front we got bigger and in the secondary and among the linebackers we return some of our top guys from last year. I'm excited to see what the unit can accomplish in a challenging conference to defend."
 
DEFENSIVE LINE: During 2024 the defensive line was one of the more consistent units on the defensive side of the ball and with transfers like preseason All-American Jacob Psyk and Derrell Porter coming on board with top contributing returners Trent Carrade and Joey Carrillo the Aggie front should continue to be a force.
 
"This year we will have, some young guys returning," said Jane and Fred Arp Defensive Line Coach Jerry Brady. "But those guys will be key to how we play up front. For us, it's all about stopping the run first and then being physical as a unit."
 
Tom Sackinsky (Sierra College), Julius Ray (Pasadena City College) and Ike Ikegbu (American River College) join Psyk (Harvard) and Porter (Dartmouth) as transfers to the unit. Psyk and Porter were both All-Ivy League during the 2024 season, with Psyk finishing the season ranked 29th nationally in total sacks.
 
Carrade returns with the most tackles from 2024, having made seven total stops in a primary backup role during the season, while Carrillo made five total tackles and added one sack. Jake Williams, Rayne Mayo Jr. and Clayton Lynam make up the rest of the returning Aggies.
 
LINEBACKERS: In the middle, UC Davis boasts a preseason All-American along with an experienced returning bunch that should put the Aggie linebacking corps in position to make an impact on both the run and the pass.
 
Porter Connors highlights the Aggie corps, earning both preseason All-American and All-Big Sky Conference honors. Connors brings with him 86 total tackles from the 2025 season, and he is the second-leading returning tackler on the team.
 
"Porter is a guy that has played a lot of football here and been a really good Aggie for us," said assistant coach Austin Taylor. "I'm excited to see how he expands his role and grows into a leader for us."
 
Connors is joined by incoming transfer Nate Rutchena, who comes in from California having made a career 62 tackles over 24 games for the Bears. "Rutchena is a guy I was familiar with since we were at Cal together," said Taylor. "I think he has some tools to do some good things and I'm excited to see what he can do for us this fall."
 
Nick Afato brings with him 11 tackles from the 2024 season and Macray Madruga carries with him eight tackles from the previous year to round out the group of producing returners. Grant Garretson, Thomas McCormick, Jackson Sievers, Kyle Hill, Charlie Allen, Sam Goligoski (leading sack returner), Isaiah Sanders and Tristan McMurry round out a strong collection of returning Aggies.
 
DEFENSIVE BACKS: For UC Davis the deepest part of the defense is it's secondary where the preseason All-American and No. 1 ranked returning safety Rex Connors patrols the middle of the field along with a talented and deep bunch of returners, freshman and transfers.
 
Connors, already named to the Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watchlist and to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Watchlist, is coming off a season where he set the program record for solo tackles in a single season with 74 en route to a total of 115 tackles. He is joined at safety by returner Jayden Stanley, who made 11 tackles during 2024 along with two pass break ups.
 
"I want guys, to be confident when they take the field," said assistant coach Evan Hicks. "And I want them to play that play the game for the right reason. We work hard to put our guys in the right positions, and it shows when the guys are flying around the field."
 
Transfer Cole Batson collected 69 total tackles during his time at Boston College while fellow transfers Khalani Riddick (Southeast Missouri State), Ty Richardson (Tufts) and Josiah Allen (UTEP) all bring with them a large collection of experience to the Aggie secondary. Riddick racked up 124 total tackles and two interceptions in two seasons at SEMO and Allen finished with 120 total tackles at UTEP.
 
Richardson earned Division III All-American honors playing 14 games during the 2024 season at Tufts, finishing with 32 total tackles, six interceptions and 12 pass break ups.
 
"Ty enrolled early back in January," said assistant coach DuMaurier Jordan. "He has been doing some good stuff for us, so it was great to get him to enroll early. As a unit we are excited about what Ty and the other transfers add to our corners."
 
Freshman Drew Cofield is expected to make an impact on the field during the season and along with returners William Fowler and Boston Stovall the Aggies can feel confident about the depth of the secondary heading into the season.
 
UC Davis opens 2025 on Aug. 23 in Montgomery, Ala., when they face No. 12 Mercer in the 2025 FCS Kickoff Classic. That game is set to kickoff at 4 p.m. PT and will be aired on ESPN and can be heard on Sactown Sports 1140. The Aggies open UC Davis Health Stadium on Sept. 20 when Southern Utah visits Davis for a 7 p.m. kick.
 
SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets are on sale now, and fans can head here to secure their spot in Shredville for the 2025 season. Tickets start as low as $100 for new alumni and $140 for the general public.

GROUP TICKETS: Football group ticket discounts start at 10 or more tickets and provide a great opportunity for gatherings and parties to enjoy Aggie football. If you'd like to create an unforgettable experience with your group, the Aggie Ticket Office is here to help you customize your day! Fans can head to THIS LINK to purchase their group ticket packages.
 
MINI PLANS: Mini Plans are a great way for Aggie fans to save on tickets by bundling multiple games. Choose from 2 different options to get the biggest bang for your buck, and fans get to pick the games that work the best for you. The Pick Any 2 or Pick Any 3 Plans allow fans to pick and choose which games they want to attend at a discounted rate versus buying single-game tickets. Both plans can be purchased here.
 
SINGLE GAME TICKETS: Single game tickets are on sale now and fans can secure their spot at one five home games for as little as $13 a ticket. HEAD HERE to buy single game tickets today.