GREENVILLE, S.C. -- With the return of three starters and seven lettermen, Furman's secondary appears to be in good shape heading into the 2019 season.

Seven cornerbacks and eight safeties dot the Paladin roster, with five of the 15 counting starting experience.

At cornerback Quandarius Weems (6-1, 187, R-Sr.) and Amir Trapp (5-8, 170, Sr.) are returning regulars from a year ago. Weems owns 10 starts in his career, which also includes 61 tackles, eight pass deflections, and three fumble recoveries.  Trapp, meanwhile, a Clemson transfer who battled injuries in his first season as a Paladin, had 23 tackles, four pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 2018.

"Quan could have graduated but decided to come back for his fifth year because he wanted to be part of this program," said Furman head coach Clay Hendrix on Thursday.  "He's a big-bodied guy out there who has played a lot of football for us. We also like what he brings to our team.

"Amir has had a good preseason camp.  He's gone thru some injury struggles, but he's been healthy since the summer and has proven he can play at a high level.

"Those two guys (Weems and Trapp) are our starters, but we plan to play several guys."

Paladin fans can also look for Darius Kearse (5-10, 176, Jr.) and Travis Blackshear (5-10, 182, R-Fr.) to command playing time, though Kearse, who counts 12 starts, 56 tackles, and two interceptions in his tenure, may be slowed in the short term with a foot injury that hindered him in the preseason.

"Darius has played a lot the last two years, and we think he will be ready to go when the time comes.

"We're very excited about Travis Blackshear, who played a little bit for us a year ago.  He is really talented and physical.

"All four of those guys could start in some of the sub-packages we do."

Two newcomers who have already popped up on the radar include Cally Chizik (5-9, 170, Fr.) and Kam Brinson (5-10, 182, Fr.) 

"We're thrilled with Cally and Kam.  They will give us a depth.  One of them, maybe both, will definitely be a major contributor this year."

Rounding out the group is Braedon Domino (6-1, 175, R-Fr.), who is in his second year in the program.  

"Bradeon gives us seven guys.  There haven't been many times around here where we had seven cornerbacks to work with heading into the season."

Not as much depth is present at safety, but the Paladins boast the defense's most experienced player in free safety Bryan Okeh (6-4, 216, Sr.), a preseason All-SoCon selection and owner of 25 starts and 155 tackles his career.

"Bryan is our most veteran performer on defense.  He's a big, imposing guy back there who is smart and understands the game.  We're hoping for a big year out of him."

At strong safety the Paladins will look to DiMarcus Clay (5-9, 170, Jr.), who has logged playing time in 22 games and one start in his two seasons of duty.

"DiMarcus came here as a corner and we moved him to safety.  He and Bryan will be our two guys back there."

Backing up Okeh and Clay at free and strong safety, respectively, will be a pair of highly regarded newcomers, Hugh Ryan (6-1, 190, Fr.) and Austin Jones (5-11, 188, Fr.).

"Hugh played for those great (state champion) Dutch Fork (S.C.) teams and was also on a state championship baseball team there.  It's nice to have guys from programs who know about winning and what it takes. Austin was an early (January) enrollee who was here for spring practice and did really well this summer."

The Paladins also boast Patrick Wells (6-0, 200, R-Jr.), Jonah Griffin (5-11, 180, R-Fr.), and Jaylon Harden (5-11, 197, R-Jr.).

"Patrick's played a good bit of football for us.  He had an interception against ETSU last year and has been a solid performer on special teams.

"Jonah got medical clearance late in spring practice and has been doing a nice job catching up, and Jaylon was a cornerback and is now at safety.  He can play both." 

Andrew Washington (5-9, 186, R-Fr.) rounds out the safety corp.