Sixth in a series highlighting each position for the 2018 Morehead State Football program. - Quarterbacks - Receivers - Running Backs - Defensive Line - Tight Ends

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State's 2018 defensive backfield will have a solid mix of veterans and newcomers looking to earn playing time.

New defensive coordinator Dovonte Edwards also mentors the backfield and says they have three "heavy hitters" to rely on.

Senior cornerback Brandyn Duncan (Lexington, Ky.), senior safety Sayyid Kanu (Columbus, Ohio) and sophomore safety Starr Hutcherson (Fairhope, Ala.), the first-ever sophomore in head coach Rob Tenyer's six-year tenure to be a team captain, should be the leaders.

Duncan piled up 49 tackles and ranked second on the team in passes defended (13) and breakups (11). Kanu ranked second on the team in overall stops with 63, and Hutcherson was right behind with 61 tackles as a true freshman.

Edwards also likes the maturation of his namesake, sophomore Eldee Edwards III (Washington D.C.), who will man the spur position. Eldee recorded 31 tackles in 2017.

A pair of sophomores in Kalen Carson (Coral Springs, Fla.) and CJ Austin (Louisville, Ky.) will likely line up at the opposite cornerback position from Duncan. Carson made appearances in all 11 games in 2017, while Austin saw time in five. Edwards pointed out that Austin has shown a serious knack for creating turnovers.

At the safety position as well, redshirt junior Aaron Turk (Roswell, Ga.) and Tyler Reese (Snellville, Ga.) will be counted on. Turk returned last year after missing all but one game of the 2016 season with a injury. Reese got in for eight games in 2017, including some on special teams. Turk will also return kicks.

Two freshmen have risen among the ranks Edwards says. Cornerback Brandon Barbee (Orlando, Fa.) and safety Josh Holland (Orlando, Fla.) were teammates at East River High School in Florida and could be on the depth chart as the season progresses.

Single-game and season tickets for the 2018 season are available by clicking here. The 2018 campaign commences on Thursday at Eastern Kentucky at 7 p.m. ET.