By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HAYS – Fort Hays State returns plenty of experience in the secondary heading into the 2026 football season, while also adding several newcomers competing for playing time.
The Tigers return three players who started games a year ago, including sophomore cornerback Matt McBride, who started all 11 games and led FHSU with five pass breakups. Senior Michael Polley has played in 33 career games and recorded two interceptions last season.
McBride and Polley both earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors a year ago.
Senior safety Jaxon Kulzow also returns after missing the final three games of last season with an injury. Kulzow has played in 30 career games with 15 starts and gives the Tigers another experienced player in the back end of the defense.
“Losing Jaxson last year was tough for us,” secondary coach Hunter Brown said. “He’s not going to lead only by example, but he’s going to speak up when he needs to.”
Brown said Kulzow has continued to develop at the safety position.
“He’s been great from a fundamental standpoint and getting a feel for controlling the defense out there,” Brown said.
The Tigers also return Darell Jones, a Kansas State transfer who played in eight games last season, primarily on special teams.
Brown is in his first season as a full-time assistant after spending the previous two seasons as a restricted-earnings coach. He said the returning players have embraced leadership roles while helping integrate several new faces into the secondary.
“They’ve been great in those leadership roles,” Brown said. “It’s been fun to watch these guys come in and build new relationships and get tight with everybody.”
Among the newcomers competing for playing time is Brian Dilworth, a transfer from North Alabama who spent three seasons at Kansas and appeared in four games for the Jayhawks.
With returning experience and added competition, Brown said communication will be critical for the secondary to take a step forward.
“The big thing we always harp on is communication and then doing your 1/11th,” Brown said. “If they can build trust and understand that the guy next to them is going to do their job, it lets them play free, play fast and play physical.”