LAKE CHARLES - Long live the DWA!
 
McNeese's "Defense With Attitude" is gearing up to be in prime form for the 2026 season. With a host of talent returning with starting experience, including full-time starters Jermaine Hargraves, Mason Edwards, Javon Davis, Emauri Sibley, and Landon Barrett, this year's DWA should show some glimpses of past greatness.
 
"This is the deepest we've been from all three levels," said fifth-year defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro. "I think we could have anywhere from 22 to 25 guys play a game, which is huge. I like to rotate if we can, especially so your starters can play at the end of halves and the end of games."
 
The quintet listed above make up five of the seven backfield starters from last year's team. Sibley and Barrett at linebacker, Edwards and Davis at safety, and Hargraves at the corner.
 
"It's absolutely huge (having Edwards, Davis, Hargraves return in the secondary) because now you have coaches on the field and not just coaches in the meeting rooms," said Pecoraro. "They do a really good job of helping the young guys get lined up, our communication is smoother. It's all a lot better, especially with them having the experience."
 
The three started all 12 games and combined for four of the team's 12 pass interceptions (three by Davis and one from Edwards) along with 18 of the 35 pass break-ups (nine by Edwards, five from Davis, four by Hargraves).
 
"There's a lot of guys with a ton of experience. With the three we have coming back and the addition of the young guys and portal guys, a lot of guys have seen some action, which is huge," said Pecoraro.
 
Also returning at safety who saw playing time last season will be Jared Quenga, Morris Taylor, and Cohen Charles along with portal transfers Sentario Willis (Southern Miss), Amyrion Mingo (UAPB), Kylon Polk (Louisiana Christian), and Erick Franklin (Butler CC), the safety position could go three deep.
 
At the corner, Edwards will be joined by ULL transfer Lorenzell Dubose who played in 24 games for the Ragin' Cajuns over the last three seasons, including all 13 in 2024. Stills-Bey appeared in eight games last season for the Cowboys while Fleet played in three, all coming in the last four games of the season.  
 
"We have Mason (Edwards) who started every game at the corner, and have Dubose coming in who played a ton of football at UL. We have two very experienced players there," said Pecoraro. "The depth on the back end, I really think we're definitely two-deep, and at some positions three-deep. We have a lot of different guys who can play a lot of different roles; some good utility players."
 
Barrett and Sibley return as starters at the linebacker position, both starting in every game they appeared - Barrett 11 and Sibley all 12. Barrett is the team's top returning tackler (71) and ranked second on the team with 7.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks. Sibley ranked right behind Barrett with 60 tackles to go along with seven TFLS and two sacks.
 
Transfers Trace Meadows (UTEP) and Lee Holmes (Co-Lin JC) help make up a solid two-deep at the position.
 
"Having Landon and Sibley back is huge," said Pec. "It's really helped Trace and Lee's development because we have two guys in front of them who is doing some teaching. We have a solid two-deep there."
 
The defensive line is where the Cowboys hit the portal hard, bringing in talented and experienced players.
 
"I think we can be pretty good at the defensive line," said Pec. "We have good depth. When we hit the portal, we went after experience more than anything else, and it's showing in camp. They understand the game which makes it easier to teach. We're not starting from the ground level. Plus, we have some good young guys that I think we can mold into becoming really good players."
 
Sean Dubose (ACU/HCU) and Royce Maloles (Lamar) have had a good camp at the edge position with returner RJ Staten and transfer Iyioluwa Adekoya (Lamar) backing up.
 
"Royce and Sean on the edges have done a really good job," Pecoraro said. "And RJ and Big E are doing a phenomenal job as well on the edge."
 
Inside, returner Mark Fielder and transfer Isaiah Fowler (Valparaiso) and have been running with the first unit. Fielder played in eight games last season, recording four tackles with a pass break-up and forced fumble. Fowler was an All-Pioneer Football League selection at Valpo last year. He recorded 43 tackles with 1.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for a loss while playing in all 12 games with 11 starts. Returner Carlos Sanders has had a nice camp as well. Sanders played in 11 games last season and recorded 10 tackles.
 
"I love our effort and attitude," said Pecoraro. "Our defensive line is doing a really good job in rushing the passer. The depth in that room is good.
 
"I think the two deepest rooms right now are the defensive line and our secondary."
 
McNeese will hold its second and final scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Navarre Stadium. The day is also Fan Fest where fans will be able to seek autographs following the scrimmage.