Hailey
The Emporia State Hornets are entering the 2025 football season with one of the most feared defensive back units in college football.
Last year, the team ranked fifth in the nation for interceptions and led the MIAA in passing efficiency defense. With key players returning and new talent joining the squad, the Hornets’ defensive backs are ready to dominate the field again this season.
Last Season’s Defensive Success
In 2024, Emporia State’s defensive backs played a major role in shutting down opponents’ passing games.
They recorded multiple interceptions, defended numerous passes, and showed excellent coverage skills. Their performance helped the Hornets control the pace of games and secure important wins.
Returning Players
Tyler Schultze
- Fourth year at Emporia State
- Named to D2Football.com Elite 100 Preseason Watch List
- Third-Team All-MIAA selection in 2024
- Led the MIAA in interceptions (5 total) – ranked 11th nationally
- Finished second in MIAA and sixth in the nation in passes defended
- First-Team Academic All-American with a 3.98 GPA in physics
- His five interceptions rank eighth on Emporia State’s all-time single-season list
Peyton Taylor
- Third year with the Hornets
- Career-high 5 tackles in games against Washburn, Central Missouri, and Central Oklahoma
- Recorded his first career interception against Northwest Missouri
- In high school at Eaglecrest HS (Aurora, CO), he had 38 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 6 touchdowns as a senior
Clem McCullough
- Second season at Emporia State after transferring from Iowa Western CC
- Career-high 9 tackles against Central Missouri
- 37-yard interception return against Washburn
- Played 10 games for Iowa Western in 2023, making 16 tackles and winning the NJCAA National Championship
Nehemiah Figueroa
- Graduate transfer from McPherson College
- Two-time All-American (AFCA NAIA First Team in 2024, Second Team in 2023)
- Twice named NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week
- Career stats: 12 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, 113 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 interception return touchdowns
Defensive Back Unit Composition
- 1 graduate transfer
- No seniors
- 4 juniors, 8 sophomores, 3 redshirt freshmen, 6 true freshmen
- 15 of 22 defensive backs began their careers at Emporia State
- Players come from Oklahoma (5), Kansas (4), Missouri (4), Texas (4), and 1 each from Colorado, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
Full 2025 Defensive Backs Roster
| No. | Player Name | Position | Height | Weight | Class | Hometown | Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Peyton Taylor | DB | 5-11 | 161 | R-So. | Aurora, CO | Eaglecrest HS |
| 14 | Carson Sippel | DB | 6-1 | 190 | Jr. | Sherwood, WI | Winona State |
| 19 | Jaye Jones | DB | 5-11 | 200 | R-So. | Topeka, KS | Shawnee Heights HS |
| 21 | Tyler Schultze | DB | 6-0 | 205 | R-Jr. | DeSoto, KS | DeSoto HS |
| 23 | Cameron Lee | DB | 6-1 | 172 | Jr. | St. Louis, MO | Northwestern Oklahoma |
| 24 | Erik McCarty | DB | 5-11 | 192 | R-So. | McAlester, OK | Oklahoma |
| 26 | Nate Benford | DB | 6-0 | 180 | R-Fr. | Guthrie, OK | Guthrie HS |
| 27 | Jordyn Harris | DB | 6-1 | 175 | R-Fr. | Oklahoma City, OK | Heritage Hall HS |
| 28 | Yanci Spiller | DB | 5-11 | 193 | R-So. | St. George, KS | Rock Creek HS |
| 29 | Kaliel Boyd | DB | 5-10 | 192 | R-So. | St. Louis, MO | Southwest Baptist |
| 30 | Clem McCullough | DB | 5-9 | 176 | Jr. | Elgin, IL | Iowa Western CC |
| 32 | Jeremiah Robinson-Pope | DB | 5-10 | 168 | R-So. | Edmond, OK | Edmond Memorial HS |
| 35 | Aidan Hicks | DB | 6-0 | 200 | R-Fr. | Burleson, TX | Burleson Centennial HS |
| 36 | Cooper Novacek | DB | 5-9 | 180 | R-So. | Olathe, KS | Olathe West HS |
| 37 | Josh Baker-Mays | DB | 5-11 | 168 | So. | St. Louis, MO | Northwestern Oklahoma |
| 43 | Nehemiah Figueroa | DB | 5-11 | 193 | Gr. | Pottstown, PA | McPherson |
| — | Landon Blair | DB | 5-10 | 165 | Fr. | Arlington, TX | Mansfield Timberview HS |
| — | Jackson Chapman | DB | 6-2 | 185 | Fr. | Wylie, TX | Sachse HS |
| — | Blayd Harris | DB | 6-0 | 195 | Fr. | Marlow, OK | Marlow HS |
| — | Christopher Johnson II | DB | 6-0 | 155 | Fr. | Chesapeake, VA | Oscar Smith HS |
| — | Raijon Sims | DB | 5-11 | 165 | Fr. | Marshall, TX | Marshall HS |
| — | Alex Wilkerson | DB | 5-10 | 190 | Fr. | Lamar, MO | Lamar HS |
The 2025 Emporia State Hornets have built an impressive defensive backfield filled with experience, athleticism, and fresh talent.
With proven leaders like Tyler Schultze, Peyton Taylor, and Clem McCullough, plus exciting new additions such as Nehemiah Figueroa, this unit is poised to challenge for the top spot in the MIAA again.
Their mix of homegrown talent and recruits from across the U.S. could make them one of the most dangerous defensive back groups in college football this season.