Delaware Football 2026 Positional Preview: Safeties

Welcome to our first defensive positional group preview of the 2026 season, starting with the safeties. On Thursday, Delaware Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach Manny Rojas answered many questions about each room on the defense, as well as the defense as a full unit. Some answers will be utilized in this preview, but others will be saved for the rest. 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?

#7 KT Seay (885 defensive snaps, 120 special teams snaps. 75.1 PFF Grade. All-CUSA First Team)
- 91 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass deflection
#2 Kahlil Ali (528 defensive snaps, 121 special teams snaps. 66.4 PFF Grade)
- 50 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT (for a TD), 2 pass deflections
#36 Nasir Eatmon (11 defensive snaps, 85 special teams snaps. 94.0 PFF Grade)
- 4 tackles, 2 INT
#16 Noah Jefferson (24 defensive snaps, 115 special teams snaps. 56.3 PFF Grade)
- 8 tackles
#27 AJ Graham (8 defensive snaps, 122 special teams snaps. 61.7 PFF Grade)
- 1 tackle

Who is New?

#29 George Mullins (Michigan State Transfer): 31 special teams snaps
- 1 tackle
#22 Dorian Rutledge (High School)
#19 Kevin Moore (High School)
#5 Dannell Jester Jr. (High School)

Who Said What?

Delaware Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Safeties Coach Manny Rojas
- (On searching for stronger schematic fits in the transfer portal and high school this offseason): “Our recruiting class last year and this year have gotten bigger, longer, and obviously some faster guys as well. As we’ve taken the step to FBS, we’re getting a lot more of that attention nationwide. So it’s an inch here or there or it’s 10 pounds here or there really is the difference. And that was the difference as you watched us last year against other teams… those guys had one or two more guys that were 2 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, or 1 inch taller and 3 seconds faster to be honest with you. I think we’re doing a good job in recruiting the athletes that we need to compete at this level.”
- (On returning to a positional room): “It’s been a lot of fun for me. When Art Link decided to hang it up, I went to Coach Carty’s office and said that I want to coach a position again. And throughout the spring, I got back to remembering how much fun it is to coach a position.”
- (On KT Seay’s impact to the defense): “I think you can talk about KT starting as a freshman and show the younger guys what he’s been able to do. I really don’t have a concern when KT is out on the field.”
- (On Kahlil Ali’s growth in the safety room): “He’s very physical at times, he can communicate well, and he understands ball. He’s been a great surprise for us in the spring time, not so much anymore, but he’s just been able to go in there and handle all aspects of the position.”
- (On what stood out about George Mullins in the transfer portal): Coach DiMeco got a call from the Michigan State Defensive Coordinator saying, “Hey, we’re going to cut this guy loose.” We watched his high school film and it was a no-brainer. He had some Michigan State film and it was obviously a no-brainer again… He’s a great kid and comes from a great family. He wants to do well, works hard, very athletic, and I know that if he trusts his body that he can make all of the plays.”
Delaware Safety George Mullins
- (On how the new Michigan State coaching staff’s decision affected his mentality heading into this season): “It definitely has added a chip on my shoulder because I didn’t play any snaps on defense, only special teams. They didn’t know what I could do besides watching me at practice… I’m ready to go prove to everyone in the world that I can play this game.”
- (On Delaware recruiting him out of high school): “Art Link offered me in high school, he coached my uncle back in the day and they had that connection. He said that if I ever need a home, I’ll have one here. And then when I went into the portal, Delaware was the first school, and really one of the only schools to contact me.”
- (On his relationship with Delaware linebacker Jawarren Corbin): He came (to South Sumter High School) when I was a sophomore and he was a senior. We really grew up together before him making the move to come to my high school. Him knowing the type of player I am helped me get an opportunity to play here.”

Who (or What) Caught my Attention?

There are three safety positions in the Delaware defense. Here are the descriptions for each while we reference them throughout the season:
- Jack: Covering a slot receiver or tight end in the boundary (on the shorter side of the field). Usually served by longer or bigger safeties
- Field: Covering the wide receiver on the larger side of the field from the hash. Serving more as a cover safety/nickel corner instead of lining up in the box pre-snap
- Rover: The middle safety between the three. Has to be physical in the box but will also receive coverage assignments
KT Seay last season played in the rover position while Kahlil Ali was more on the boundary playing the jack role. Rojas said that Seay will be transitioning into the field safety position with Ali slotting into the rover spot. When asking Rojas if this shift will elevate their individual abilities, he responded, “It’ll bring out more for them, and it’ll bring out more for our defense. It was the right move and you guys will see it.”
It sounds like the starting jack/boundary safety position in the defense is currently in a competition between Mullins and sophomore AJ Graham. “They are going neck and neck,” Rojas said. “I told them at the end of spring that they both are starters in my mind, and they’re going to have an opportunity here in camp to battle it out. I envision both of them playing for us.”
Rojas also shared where the rest of the safeties are developing throughout camp. Sophomore Noah Jefferson and freshman Dannell Jester Jr. are working under Khalil Ali at the rover spot, while sophomore Nasir Eatmon and freshman Kevin Moore are with Seay at the field safety position. Eatmon had two interceptions in his true freshman season and Moore, according to Rojas, has shown a lot of promise early in practices.