DAVIS, Calif. — Following a 2025 season that included another deep FCS postseason run, the UC Davis defense enters 2026 with established leaders returning throughout the unit.

The Aggies bring back multiple All-America and All-Big Sky honorees, including the program's career tackles leader, while several experienced players are positioned to take on expanded roles this fall.

DEFENSIVE LINE: The Aggies return significant experience along the defensive front, including starters Rayne Mayo Jr. and Trent Carrade.

Mayo started all 13 games at nose tackle as a sophomore and enters 2026 as a preseason All-Big Sky Third Team selection. Carrade also started all 13 games and finished second among UC Davis defensive linemen with 26 tackles.

"Seven of the eight guys from last year are coming back," Jane and Fred Arp Defensive Line Coach Jerry Brady said. "Trent Carrade and Rayne Mayo started last year, and they are staples. I'm excited to see them continue to compete."

Tom Sackinsky, Julius Ray and Ike Ikegbu enter their senior seasons looking to make a greater impact after joining the Aggies as transfers. Jake Williams, Julian Hernandez, Devin Huegel and Tyler Parker add further experience to the returning group.

The Aggies will look to replace the production of Jacob Psyk and Derrell Smith-Porter, who each appeared in all 13 games after transferring from the Ivy League. Psyk capped his lone season at UC Davis by earning All-America honors.

EDGES: Defensive Coordinator Matt Coombs expects competition throughout a deep group of edge defenders.

"I want the edge group to be the loudest, fastest and most physical group on the field," Coombs said. "I want them to play with a high level of energy and joy and to play for themselves and their teammates."

Sam Goligoski provides an experienced presence after recording 11.5 combined sacks over his first two seasons. Grant Garretson, Maverick Madruga and Jaden Few also return, while Joey Carrillo looks to make an impact following his return from injury.

"We've got Sam Goligoski, Madruga and Garretson," Coombs said. "Jaden Few played, and Carrillo is coming back from an injury. It's a deep room, and it'll be really competitive."

INSIDE LINEBACKERS: Fifth-year senior Porter Connors returns to lead the inside linebackers after an injury limited him during the 2025 season.

Connors recorded 25 tackles, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup during his shortened campaign. He delivered a season-high 10 tackles against Southern Utah before his season came to an early end.

After collecting three preseason All-America honors in 2025, Connors has already added two more ahead of the 2026 campaign along with preseason All-Big Sky recognition.

"We take a lot of pride in how we work, how we prepare and how we meet," Assistant Coach Austin Taylor said. "It's really about creating confidence in our guys."

Jackson Sievers returns after stepping into a larger role last season, while Nick Afato provides another trusted veteran presence. Cory McEnroe enters his second season with the program looking to build on the promise he showed as a freshman. Charlie Allen and Tristan McMurry add further experience to the group.

"Porter is a really good player for us and a leader of our defense," Taylor said. "Jackson Sievers stepped up in a big way last year and was productive. Nick Afato is a guy we really trust who has done a lot for us, and Cory McEnroe showed a lot of potential early in his career."

The Aggies also welcome Saddleback College transfer Jack Knudtson and freshman Drew McKenzie. McKenzie recorded 58 tackles and 12 sacks during his senior season at Acalanes High School in Lafayette.

UC Davis will look to replace All-Big Sky Second Team selection Nate Rutchena, who finished 2025 with 77 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

CORNERBACKS: Freshman All-American Drew Cofield returns after making an immediate impact during his first collegiate season.

Ty Richardson and Trey Carr also return to an experienced cornerbacks room that includes Marquise Bradley and Boston Stovall. Chaz Gilbreath and Marcus McGeilberry are among the newcomers competing for roles within the group.

"We really want to be technically sound, understand what we're seeing in front of us and be very detailed and physical in our play," Assistant Coach DuMaurier Jordan said. "Cofield is coming back. Ty Richardson is coming back. We have a lot of guys we're excited about."

SAFETIES: Program career tackles leader Rex Connors returns for his fifth season as the veteran leader of the UC Davis secondary.

Connors established himself as one of the top defensive players in the FCS during his shortened 2025 campaign, recording 45 tackles in only four games before a season-ending injury brought his year to an early close.

Connors made 15 tackles against Utah Tech to earn Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week and Stats Perform FCS National Defensive Player of the Week honors. One week later at Washington, he became the program's all-time leading tackler.

He enters his final season in Aggie Blue and Gold with 313 career tackles.

Kameron Totton returns after appearing in five games as a freshman, while Hayden John, Drew Faulkner, William Fowler and Teeg Slone give the Aggies additional experience and depth at safety.

"I want them to be a fast, physical and connected group that plays for their brotherhood and with a lot of Aggie pride," Assistant Coach Evan Hicks said.

The secondary will be tasked with replacing graduates Cole Batson, Khalani Riddick and Josiah Allen. Riddick started all 13 games in 2025, ranked second on the team with 71 tackles and handled 17 punt returns during the season.

UC Davis opens the 2026 season on Aug. 29 against Portland State. Kickoff from Hillsboro Stadium is scheduled for noon PT. The Aggies return to Shredville on Sept. 19 for their home opener and New Student Orientation game.

For more from the UC Davis coaching staff on each defensive position group, follow UC Davis Football on social media for the complete 2026 defensive preview.

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UC Davis, ranked No. 2 among public universities by the Wall Street Journal in the value of a college degree, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked top in the United States in agriculture and forestry as well as No. 1 in veterinary medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27. 

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