2026 Delaware Football Positional Preview: Cornerbacks

For the first time since 2023, Delaware’s cornerback room will have a new voice leading the way in former Penn defensive back coach Marvin Clecidor. This preseason’s framework will cover the four who’s: 1) who is back 2) who is new 3) who said what during the local media availability and 4) who (or what) caught my attention. Let us know if this is a format that you appreciate or if you would like us to try something new.

*Note: All snap counts, PFF grades, and recognition are from the 2025 season

Who is Back?

#18 Jamarion Kolagbodi (437 defensive snaps, 124 special teams snaps. 76.2 PFF Grade. CUSA All-Freshman Team)
- 28 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 6 pass deflections
#6 Kshawn Cox Jr. (608 defensive snaps, 65 special teams snaps. 65.1 PFF Grade)
- 30 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 2 pass deflections
#24 Jalen Ross (15 defensive snaps, 1 special teams snap. 64.9 PFF Grade)
#25 Azir Lee

Who is New?

#8 Jaquise Alexander (North Dakota State Transfer): 535 defensive snaps, 84 special teams snaps. 76.5 PFF Grade
- 28 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 INT, 7 pass deflections
#23 Shawn Church Jr. (High School)
#21 Trenton Gummer (High School)
#30 Jaylen Mack (Sewanee/D3 Transfer, Walk-On)
- 47 tackles, 1 TFL, 6 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 17 pass deflections
- (Special Teams): 7 kick returns, 162 yards, 23.1 yards/return
#38 Derrick Phillips Jr. (Walk-On)
#34 Walter Anderson (High School, Walk-On)

Who Said What?

Delaware Cornerbacks Coach Marvin Clecidor
- (On why Delaware as his next stop of his coaching career): “Throughout my coaching career, I’ve been fortunate enough to compete against Delaware when I was at William & Mary and Penn. I always thought that this is a great place, and if I ever had the opportunity to go work there, I’d jump at it.”
- (On the size/speed differences in cornerbacks from FCS to FBS): “It’s pretty similar. In FBS, you may have a couple of guys who are a little bit faster. But when I was at William & Mary, Delaware still had Nasir Adderley, NFL-caliber type of guys who could play at a Western Michigan or a Temple. So the skill set and speed was there. Fast forward to playing FBS, now we look to have maybe about 3 or 4 Nasir Adderleys instead of 1.”
- (On Kshawn Cox’s development): “I always equate playing corner to being an Olympic gymnast or Olympic ice skater where there’s a 10 score. Kshawn Cox is a guy who believes in chasing that 10 score… he’s a guy who I actually lean on at times to make sure I’m not screwing up and understand our defensive scheme because he’s been in it longer than I have with Coach Rojas. So, Kshawn has been a leader in the group and someone I can lean on. His play has been very consistent throughout preseason camp. He’s another one I’m excited to watch in games.”
Delaware Cornerback Kshawn Cox
- (On how the transition to FBS was for him): “It was really just getting my feet wet. Last year was the first year I started the full season, so I was just getting acclimated to the speed of the game. It’s a little faster than FCS, but it’s not too much of a difference besides the line play. I feel like the skill players it’s some different level, but pretty much the same.”
- (On limiting explosive plays): “We’re trying to do a better job keeping everything in front of us, not letting anything get behind us in coverage. That’s what changes the game a lot. Explosive plays, not the little ticky-tacky plays… those add up too, but explosive plays where they’re taking the top off the defense just can’t happen. We have to keep everything in front of us and limit the explosive plays, keep it to a minimum.”
Delaware Cornerback Jamarion Kolagbodi
- (On how Delaware stood out in his high school recruitment): “The coaching staff recruited me heavily. They weren’t just reaching out here and there and say something where they didn’t stay on their word. They reached out almost every day, even called me up out of my naps to just check in on me, so it really felt like a home away from home that people that really wanted to see me succeed not just on the field, but off the field as well.”
- (On feeling more comfortable heading into his second year): “Going into year 2, my overall 101 football knowledge is way better than it was when I first came here. Evolving my game in terms of the film room and formations has helped me succeed a lot in the preseason of just seeing things, being able to play fast, and communicate well with my teammates.”
Delaware Cornerback Jaquise Alexander
- (On what caught his eye about Delaware): “First, Coach Corico Wright reached out to me on Twitter. A few other schools reached out to me, but the campus, the coaches in Coach Clecidor, Coach Rojas, and Coach Carty talking to my parents and family… I like the way they operate here. The scheme and everything just looked good right there.”
- (On adjusting to a new school after 4 years at North Dakota State): “I wouldn’t say we run the exact same scheme, but kind of close to the same scheme. So when I came in the spring, I didn’t really have trouble at all getting acclimated with the defense here. As soon as I got here making plays on the ball, I feel like I got a good hold on the playbook.”

Who (or What) Caught my Attention?

Jamarion Kolagbodi played the most snaps out of any true freshman last season in the 302. The 6’0″ defensive back from Fort Wayne, Indiana wasn’t surprised about his early opportunities at corner. “Being on special teams helped me make an impact and gain coaches’ trust. Over time I knew it was coming, so I was always ready for it.” Delaware Defensive Coordinator Manny Rojas claimed Kolagbodi as “special” during his media availability on August 6th, and I expect a huge sophomore season incoming for the ballhawk out wide.
Jaquise Alexander left North Dakota State before their program announced its move to FBS football. “Before I made my decision, Coach Polasek was telling us that he didn’t know whether we were going to move up to FBS this upcoming year or in a few years, so that kind of went into my decision. I just told them that I wanted to play in the FBS, and that’s how I moved forward to enter the portal,” Alexander described. Timing worked out in the Blue Hens’ favor, as the former national champion corner entered the transfer portal on January 2nd, verbally committed to Delaware on January 10th, and just a month later on February 8th, ESPN Senior Writer Pete Thamel announced North Dakota State’s move into the Mountain West. I expect him to be a crucial piece to the defense this fall.
Freshman corners Trent Gummer and Shawn Church Jr. bring different elements to the program. At 6’3″, Church Jr. has size that the Blue Hens haven’t really developed in their corner room in the past. Cornebacks coach Marvin Clecidor stated that his length has helped him stand out in man coverage so far. On Trent Gummer, Manny Rojas included him with safety Kevin Moore as freshmen that have stood out early in camp. Clecidor also highlighted Gummer’s intelligence and fluidity. “Trent has hit the ground running from the time when he got here in the spring, and that’s helped him insert himself into being able to compete for some reps within our defense.”