Bengal Safeties Building Chemistry, Leadership Through Week Two of Fall Camp

POCATELLO, Idaho — Idaho State's safeties room is rounding into form as fall camp moves into week two, according to safeties coach and defensive pass game coordinator Bobby Jay, who praised the group's leadership and depth following Monday's Practice No. 5.

The Bengals returned from a scheduled day off with strong energy, Jay said, as the team ramps up physicality with more thud work this week.

"I thought our guys had good energy coming back through," Jay said. "We'll get a little more thud, a little more physical contact this week than we had last week."

Decker Hagler has emerged as a leadership presence in the safeties room, while Parker Graham has impressed in his development and versatility, showing the ability to play multiple positions in the secondary. The return of Troy Wilkey from injury has been a boost as well, with Jay noting he has been "flying around, making a ton of plays."

Newcomers Titan Saxon, a transfer from Utah State, and Jackson Patterson have also stood out early, buying into the program's culture under defensive coordinator Grant Duff and safeties coach Bobby Jay.

"I think that's the thing Coach Hawk's done a great job on here is just the unity within the team, where we've been doing a good job of identifying the right kind of guys to come in here, and they fit the culture really well," Jay said, referencing head coach Cody Hawkins. "Going into year four, I think that's the biggest thing, that culture piece has been really good for us."

As defensive pass game coordinator, Jay works closely with Duff and the rest of the defensive staff, including D-line coach Ricky Ali'ifua,  to blend pressures, patterns and coverage concepts into a cohesive scheme.

"We do a really good job collaborating as a whole staff, finding the answers and making sure our guys have the answers to the test before they take it on the field, so they can play fast while they're out there," Jay said.

With substantial roster turnover across college football due to the transfer portal, Jay said building a scheme around the current roster's strengths, rather than leaning on last year's identity, has been a point of emphasis.

"You really gotta look at what you have on your roster now and what those guys do well, and put those guys in the best position," Jay said. "You gotta find the pieces you do have, look at what we got hit on schematically, and put our guys in the best spot to go make plays."

Jay said he wants his safeties to embody intelligence, competitiveness and leadership on the field.

"I want smart guys, I put a lot on the guys in the room from checks to formations to identification," Jay said. "I want guys who are elite competitors, guys who want to fly around, guys who are leaders. We've gotta do a good job of setting the tone for the whole defense, particularly on the back end."

Facing ISU's own offense in practice daily has also proven valuable for the secondary. Idaho State has ranked among the top five nationally in passing offense over each of the past three seasons.

"We're gonna see everything under the sun schematically," Jay said. "Some of our strong safeties aren't necessarily matched up man-to-man against receivers a whole lot during the year, just the way we roll things out, but it's a great way for them to get better at it."
 

Stats Perform Preseason
The Bengals were represented on the Stats Perform preseason All-American list heading into the 2026 season.
Offensive lineman Stryker Rashid earned preseason first-team honors. Running Back Dason Brooks and Wide Receiver Chedon James were named Third-Team preseason All-Americans.
The full list of preseason all-americans can be found here.

Stats Perform FCS Top-25 Preseason Poll

The first preseason poll of the 2026 football season was released Monday, August 3. Idaho State is highest 'receiving votes' with 100 points, putting them at #26 just outside the top-25 table. Reigning national champion Montana State was the consensus preseason #1. 

Six Big Sky Programs were represented in the first round of voting; Montana State #1, Montana #2, UC Davis #6, Northern Arizona #25, Idaho State RV and Southern Utah RV.

The full release can be found here.

Walter Payton Award Watchlist
Going into the 2026 season, Idaho State running back Dason Brooks has been named to the Walter Payton Award watchlist. The last Bengal to get a nod on the list was Chedon James in 2023 who was named a finalist at the end of the season.
The full watchlist can be found here

Season tickets on Sale Now
Idaho State season tickets are on sale now, don't miss any of the seven exciting home games in the ICCU Dome this year as the Bengals keep making the push forward.
Get your tickets today HERE

2026 Football Schedule
2026 is set to be an exciting year for the Idaho State Bengals. Seven home games in the dome and the rest just off of I-15. Get ready to cheer on the Bengals all fall.