ACU Fall Camp Update: Defense

Keith Patterson talks to defensive players during practice on July 30, 2025

Photo by: Kaylee Kahn

8/24/2025 7:00:00 AM | Football

By: Evan Nemec

Through three-and-a-half weeks of practice under the blazing Texas sun, ACU head football coach Keith Patterson is pleased at how well-rounded his defense has become.

"It's by far the most athletic defense we've had since I've been here," said Patterson, who begins his fourth season with the Wildcats. "We can run, we're athletic, we can cover."

ACU's offense took most of the headlines last year with a quarterback who threw for nearly 4,000 yards, two receivers who surpassed the 1,000-yard mark, and a running back who gained more than 2,200 all-purpose yards. But heading into the 2025 season the Wildcat defense is expected to be strong -- led by preseason All-Americans linebacker Will Shaffer, and defensive lineman Kaghen Roach.

Shaffer, who is also the United Athletic Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, finished with 123 tackles which was the sixth most in ACU single-season history. Patterson is optimistic he can spread out playing time among the linebackers to not wear down Shaffer.

"I feel really good with the addition of Boone Morris (Kansas State), getting Darius Moore back who was our leading tackler two years ago, and Rashon Myles, Jr., is another very athletic linebacker," said Patterson. "To be able to have four guys, where last year we were crossing our fingers with just Cirby Coheley and Will the whole season. We've got depth at linebacker.

"Then, we can set the edge with [defensive linemen] Kaghen Roach and Chris Wright, good grief, those guys are a bowling ball of butcher knives. They play very tough and physical. I like what I see from those guys."

Wright's pass-rushing ability helped him earn a Preseason All-UAC selection as he stacked up 84 tackles in 2024 (third most on ACU's defense).

Patterson admits the secondary was the group's weakspot last season with opponents connecting on deep passes behind Wildcat defenders. Patterson called it feast-or-famine. But, he believes those issues have been worked out and the defensive backfield will be more reliable this season.

Two cornerbacks -- Tyson Williams and Jordan Mukes -- return after starting all 14 games in 2024, and another defensive back -- Dorian Plumley -- started the season's last 12 games in-a-row, including the final seven at safety.

"Plumley has started for four years in the back end. Tyson Williams is one of the absolute most consistent performers I've ever coached. The guy just does what he's supposed to do. I really like where we are defensively."

Other notable returners include linebacker Jameer Dudley, safety T.J. Marshall, and linemen Alex Bowman, Jr., and Chris Herpin.

Eight FBS transfers dot the defensive lineup: Jocelyn Malaska (Oklahoma), Gabe Brown (Oklahoma State), Javeon Wilcox (TCU), Zion Fonua (Eastern Michigan), Sammy Morris IV (Texas Tech), Romario Noel (Baylor), Isaiah Crawford (Texas Tech), and Kortlin Rausaw (UNT).