Navy has a considerable amount of experience returning in 2025, giving spring practice a different feel compared to other years. At most positions, the approach is to keep the established starters healthy and give the younger guys a chance to grow. But for the secondary, it’s a different story. Multi-year fixtures Rayuan Lane III, Mbiti Williams, and Dashaun Peele are moving on, leaving the secondary as one of the few units this spring where Navy isn’t just building depth—it’s figuring out who the new starters and leaders will be.

Lane, Williams, and Peele combined for 174 tackles last year. The numbers resulted from their versatility—a point of emphasis for P.J. Volker’s defense. At Navy, defenders are expected to do a little of everything. Linemen might drop into coverage. The secondary might make plays at the line of scrimmage. That versatility allows Navy to disguise their defensive looks, adding complexity and uncertainty for opposing quarterbacks before the snap.

But developing into a multi-dimensional player takes time and experience, and replacing safeties with the ability and veteran presence of Lane and Williams is no small task. Defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach Eric Lewis acknowledges the challenge.

"There's no replacement for experience," he said. "Those guys were not only talented but very experienced. They set a standard, day in and day out. It's one thing to replace a player, it's another entirely to replace the example they set every day in practice."

Lewis highlighted the impact Lane and Williams had as mentors, emphasizing the intangible benefits younger players gained from their daily presence. This mentorship set the standard for preparation and work ethic in practice, but it also paid dividends in games. With their departure, that on-field leadership becomes a key area of focus. One of the primary tasks in spring practice is identifying a player capable of quarterbacking the defense—someone adept at getting teammates aligned correctly, making real-time adjustments, and making the pre-snap calls.

"We needed someone with experience because he would be the one making all the calls and adjustments," said cornerbacks coach Robert Green. "We need a guy back there who has some real game experience. Otherwise, you'd be putting back some really talented young guys, but it helps to have some veteran experience back there."

That puts the spotlight on rising junior Giuseppe Sessi, now positioned to take over at bandit. Sessi saw most of his action in dime packages last season. He wasn’t a regular starter, but those snaps helped him adjust to the pace and complexity of live action. Sessi embraces the need for versatility at his position.

"I feel like I can do a lot of things because I'm able to be versatile," he said. "Honestly, any position—bandit, free safety, even corner—whatever I'm doing on the football field, I enjoy it."

That capacity for adaptability will be vital in continuing Navy's defensive goals of flexibility and unpredictability. Lewis has challenged Sessi specifically to become "a four-dimensional player," capable of understanding offensive formations, anticipating tendencies, and adjusting defensive alignments accordingly.

Sessi also highlighted the practical challenges of his enhanced responsibilities, particularly in wearing the "dot" helmet that contains the radio to the playcaller.

"The first time Coach Volker started screaming in my ear, I got freaked out," he said. "I didn't know what was going on, and then I realized I had the headset in. But I actually do like it. I feel like I'm able to see the formation and get the call before everyone else, so I have more time to understand what my job is and what the other people around me are going to be doing."

At free safety, the depth chart remains unsettled. Matthew Seliga and Adam Walker II provided depth last season, but younger talents such as Seth English and Aaron Rose are making things more competitive at the position. English, in particular, represents a strategic shift towards larger, more physical defenders (6-2, 200 pounds) equipped to handle taller receivers and physical AAC offenses. He is recovering from knee surgery, and the coaches are being careful in how they get him back up to speed.

"He's just about 11 months out, progressing well, but we're not rushing him," said Lewis. "We're making sure he's fully ready before pushing him too hard."

The battle at cornerback is just as tight. Senior Andrew Duhart is the lone returning starter and now assumes a critical leadership role. Duhart recognizes his responsibility, and rather than seeing it as a burden to overcome, he believes it makes him stronger.

"Honestly, I'm becoming a better player as I'm helping the younger corners and safeties come along," he said.

The competition opposite Duhart includes Ira Oniha and Justin Ross. Oniha, who has been described as the best cover cornerback on the team, was expected to be a starter last year after fall camp. However, a nagging hamstring injury kept him from being at full strength during the season. Despite the injury, he still made an impact, including a crucial interception against USF that set up a pivotal touchdown just before halftime.

"He is a very instinctual player," said Green. "His mind is playing at a speed much greater than a lot of players. For whatever reason, he has a knack for getting the ball out and causing turnovers."

Ross, meanwhile, has drawn positive attention from coaches as one of the spring’s most improved athletes, keeping pressure on the veterans with his physical ability.

"Justin Ross is 6'3" with a 40-inch vertical… He is smart, and he has a chance to be one of the best defensive backs we've ever had here," Green said. "It's rare that you can find that level of quickness and speed in a man with his height and length. There's nothing he can't do. He just needs to gain experience."

Both Ross and Oniha are splitting time with the first team at boundary corner.

Bryce Allen is also in the mix. He saw meaningful snaps last season and is competing alongside Kenny Hall and sophomore Nick Bell at field corner. Green said he felt Navy was "very blessed" to get game experience for multiple young corners in 2024. Those players will need to capitalize on what they learned if they want to earn a spot in the rotation.

The secondary still has much to sort out, and some questions may not be answered until the fall. However, the coaches like the physical tools they have to work with. Now, it's about turning that into the leadership and versatility the defense needs to play at a high level.