Position Preview: Safeties

The opening game of the season in Dublin, Ireland is just 29 days away and we are officially on our last day of position previews. Up next is a group that replaces two important players but has a lot of talent coming back for bigger roles: the safeties.

Returners
Jeremiah Cooper (Sr.)
Had 48 tackles and two interceptions in 14 starts in 2024 en route to an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Was named to the First Team All-Big 12 team as a sophomore in 2023.
Jamison Patton (Jr.)
Played in all 14 games as a true sophomore, finishing the season with 15 tackles and one interception. Has two started two games in his career, including the regular season finale against Kansas State in 2024.
Ta’Shawn James (RS So.)
Played in all 14 games as a redshirt freshman, recording 41 tackles and a forced fumble.
Drew Surges (RS So.)
Missed most of the 2024 season with an injury but played in the final three games, recording the game-ending interception against Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl. Played in 12 games in 2023 as a walk-on, earning himself a scholarship.
Marcus Neal Jr. (So.)
Played in 13 games as a true freshman, finishing the year with 18 tackles and one sack.
Caden Kock (RS Jr.)
Played in nine games on special teams. Won 2024 Defense Scout Team Player of the Year.
Caden Matson (RS Jr.)
Played in 14 games in 2024 as a special teams player. Scored a scoop-and-score touchdown off of a blocked punt in a win over Baylor.
Eddie Lemos (RS Jr.)
Played in nine games on special teams in 2024.
Carson Van Dinter (RS Fr.)
Redshirted in 2024. Won Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year.

Additions
Mason Ellens (Fr.)
Three-star recruit from Glen Ellyn, Ill.

Departures
Beau Freyler
Team–leader in tackles in 2023 and 2024. Started 38 games as a Cyclone.
Malik Verdon
Second Team All-Big 12 selection. Signed by the Atlanta Falcons.

Season Outlook

Defensive coordinator Jon Heacock and Safeties Coach Deon Broomfield lost two very key pieces of the defense in Beau Freyler and Malik Verdon. Of course, there’s the production that speaks for itself but there’s also a lot to make up for from a communication and leadership standpoint too.

The return of Jeremiah Cooper is big as a player who has proven to be among the best in the Big 12. Talented but largely unproven players like Jamison Patton, Marcus Neal, Ta’Shawn James and Drew Surges will all be expected to step up into bigger roles to protect the back end of the 3-3-5 defense.

Replacing Verdon

One of the more overlooked losses from the 2024 team is Malik Verdon. The physical safety is one of the best of the Campbell era and was essential to a lot of success in stopping the run.

Unfortunately, there’s no on-off stats in football like in basketball. If there were, I’d love to see what those numbers looked like for Verdon on a play-by-play basis. We have a pretty large sample size showing that when Verdon missed a game to injury, the defense took a step back.

It’s unfair to expect any of the up-and-comers to completely fill his void, but productivity will be essential to maintain the back end of the defense.

Jeremiah Cooper Time

Who can help fill that void? Jeremiah Cooper. In 2023, Cooper had a breakout year as a true sophomore. Cooper had five interceptions and was named as a First Team All-Big 12 safety. In 2024, Cooper took a bit of a step back. He didn’t have a bad season by any means but it definitely wasn’t up to the standard he set for himself.

With no Verdon and no Freyler, Cooper is now ‘The Guy’ in that room. He’s up to that challenge and should have a really good year.

Cooper, along with the returners, should have an easier time playing in position with the linebackers being back in full form and experiences. Verdon, Freyler and Cooper were compensating for the young pups filling in at linebacker. There’s no doubt in my mind that hurt the defense. Health up front will allow Cooper and Co. to play freely.

We will continue our position previews on CycloneFanatic.com. You can check out our previews for the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers and cornerbacks at those links.