West Virginia’s nickel/SAM spot is shaping up as one of the more interesting pieces of Zac Alley’s defense heading into 2026.
Five players are listed there on the official roster, but that number only tells part of the story. There are still more bodies who could work their way into the conversation, and the real battle starts with the top two options.
Geimere Latimer is the most proven name in the group. The 5-foot-9, 188-pound senior has already logged plenty of football, spending two years at Jacksonville State for Rich Rodriguez, including one with Zac Alley, before a season at Wisconsin.
He brings a cornerback’s background to the spot, and that matters because he can be trusted more in coverage than Fred Perry was. Despite his size, he plays with plenty of force and doesn’t get moved around like a smaller defender.
In Alley’s system, he gave up only six catches for 54 yards and held quarterbacks to a 46.2% completion rate when they threw his way. Latimer also has enough experience at corner to slide back to safety if needed.
Maliek Hawkins is the other name that jumps out. The freshman from Dallas is the younger brother of WVU quarterback Mike Hawkins, and he lands in a favorable spot for 2026.
He doesn’t need to be thrown into the fire right away, which should let the staff bring him along in a more controlled way as he sees the field on defense. His tape shows strong instincts and awareness, and his high school cornerback background means he’s already used to lining up against an opponent’s top receiver and matching that physical edge.
That should play especially well in passing situations and against teams that lean on the tight end. Alley is also expected to use him as a blitzer, in a role similar to what Perry handled last year.
If Hawkins develops the way WVU hopes, he could become a starter somewhere in the defense, whether that ends up being at nickel/SAM or another spot.
The UNLV transfer will spend most of his time at free safety, but he remains part of the nickel/SAM discussion, too. He originally arrived expecting to play that role, but the staff quickly decided the better move was getting him and Latimer on the field together, which made the shift to safety an easy call.
Behind those two, Emory Snyder, Miles Khatri and Jayden Ballard are the names to watch. Snyder already has the frame for the position, but he was banged up this offseason and missed time, so he’s playing catch-up. Once he gets back up to speed and settles in, he could start pushing for more, though a defensive role this fall would be a surprise.
Khatri brings real physicality, especially against the run and in the quick passing game. Coverage is still the area he needs to sharpen, but there’s plenty to like about his style.
Ballard is the most intriguing of the three because his future at nickel/SAM is not a given. He looks, at least to this eye, like someone who could fit better at free safety, but that decision is still to come.
For Snyder, Khatri and Ballard, this looks like a year built around development - both on the field and in the weight room.
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