Houston Football: Two-deep 2017 depth chart projection

Defensive Backs

Starting safeties: Garrett Davis, Khalil Williams
Backups: Terrell Williams, Collin Wilder

Houston returns both its starters at safety from last season in Garrett Davis and Khalil Williams. Davis was a versatile disruptor off the edge. He had three sacks and seven tackles for loss in addition to five passes defensed and a fumble. Williams finished third on the team last year with 69 tackles. Both will be counted on to be on the field for the bulk of the snaps at safety.

Behind the pair, Terrell Williams (no relation to Khalil) also has starting experience. Sophomore Collin Wilder saw playing time on special teams last season and should enter the safety rotation more regularly in 2017.

Starting cornerbacks: Jeremy Winchester, Isaiah Johnson
Backups: Ka’Darian Smith, Javian Smith

Isaiah Johnson offers interesting potential at cornerback. The redshirt junior spent the past two seasons as a wide receiver. At 6-foot-4 he is far bigger than most cornerbacks, which could prove to be a matchup nightmare for many AAC opponents. He will probably see regular playing time, but whether or not Johnson earns a starting role is another question.

Also fighting for starting spots are a pair of veterans who have spent their whole time in the defensive backfield. Jeremy Winchester is a redshirt junior who has started 10 games over the past two seasons. He will likely man the opposite corner spot from Johnson. Javian Smith played in 11 games last year as a true freshman. He and fellow sophomore Ka’Darian Smith will also see playing time the defensive backfield tries to improve on the secondary’s 2016 numbers.