2025 Preview: Dorman Cavaliers

A new offense, a stout, veteran defense, and a bunch of returning faces have expectations high at Dorman.   "I think we've got a good chance to have a really good team this year," Cavaliers coach Jake Morris said "We've got a lot of young guys back, and we're excited to see what we can put out there."   A lot of that valuable experience for Dorman is on the defensive side of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1639739' first='Christian' last='Waring'] (pictured) and [player_tooltip player_id='1702151' first='James' last='Porter'] are back at defensive line, with [player_tooltip player_id='1592369' first='Jordan' last='Darby'] at linebacker. [player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson'] and Donovan Anderson are both back at safety, with [player_tooltip player_id='1708614' first='Jabez' last='Thomas'] back at corner.   "A lot of those guys we played young, so they've got a lot of varsity experience," Morris said. "Some of them are just coming into their junior season, and they're two and three year starters.   [player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson'] might be the biggest name in the group, drawing offers from all over before committing to Clemson in the spring. Darby is a tackle machine. But it starts for the Cavaliers with the unsung guys up front. When Dorman's at their best, it's often because the Cavaliers are great on the line of scrimmage. This year's defense is no exception.   "Coach (Wade) Cooper preaches every day that it starts up front," Waring said. "Every time we step on the field, that's what's in our mind."   "The old saying is that offense sells tickets and defense wins championships," Morris said. "I think we've got a great defense. We've got a relentless group. And this year, I think we've got an offense that's compatible with them. We're going to be able to sustain some drives and help keep them off the field."   Nathan Chhoy is back to help lead the way up front, and Dorman has a wealth of weapons in the backfield. [player_tooltip player_id='1664350' first='Nick' last='Means'] had 871 all-purpose yards a year ago, while [player_tooltip player_id='1706651' first='Corey' last='Cole'] and Dai'shion Watkins-Hymes will provide experienced targets outside for transfer QB [player_tooltip player_id='340230' first='Meek' last='Slydell'].   "Meek comes to us from Asheville," Morris said. "He's a rising senior coming in at quarterback for us. There's a lot of potential and excitement coming in with him."   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1592369' first='Jordan' last='Darby'] LB, 2026 - Darby seemed to be all over the place making plays last season, and that's largely because that's exactly what he was doing. He's extremely active, and playing behind a good defensive line only frees him up to do more. He's going to be expected to take on an even bigger role this season, and Darby seems more than up to the task.   [player_tooltip player_id='1702151' first='James' last='Porter'] DL, 2027 - Porter's capable of becoming a force on the defensive line for the Cavaliers. He's incredibly strong, and his wrestling background and ability to use leverage learned in that sport will definitely pay off. He's drawing more and more attention, and he's got a chance to see his stock skyrocket.   [player_tooltip player_id='1639739' first='Christian' last='Waring'] DL, 2026 - Put simply, Waring is a problem. He's big, at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds. He's quick and athletic enough to play on the edge, and physical enough to play inside if that's where he's needed. He's strong, with a 465-pound deadlift. And he's got a nose for the ball and the ability to be disruptive in the opposing backfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664350' first='Nick' last='Means'] RB, 2027 - Means plays well beyond his size, and while he's not the biggest RB that opponents will see, he's a banger. He's perfectly capable of running away from you, but he also seems to thrive on contact. Means had nearly 900 all-purpose yards as a sophomore, but the bulk of that was in the running game. If he's the Cavaliers' go-to guy, that's a good thing.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson'] S, 2026 - There are lots of reasons Anderson got looks from a ton of P4 schools before committing to Clemson: speed, agility, strength, football instincts, and just the way he plays the game in general. Sometimes, it's just easier to show you than to tell you.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Dru Darby LB - Darby was the heartbeat of the Dorman defense last year, in on a bunch of plays and a big-time leader both on and off the field.   Keenan Arcega-Whiteside WR - Dorman's top downfield threat and most dangerous big-play guy last year, Arcega-Whiteside was a big body who created a mismatch everywhere he went.   STARS SET TO SHINE   Isaac Tate RB, 2027 - Tate played at RB late in the year last season for Dorman, and he's a player Morris and the staff are expecting a lot of good things from.   [player_tooltip player_id='1706499' first='Darryl' last='Packer'] LB, 2026 - Packer is a guy who's waited his turn, and now he'll join a deep and talented linebacker corps for the Cavaliers. He gets to the ball in a hurry, and he'll fit right in for Dorman at the second level.    Slydell brings a big arm and a new wrinkle for the Cavaliers, and a shot in the arm at QB might be exactly what they need. He threw for more than 1,000 yards in just eight games last season, tossing 15 touchdowns and completing 65 percent of his passes.

A new offense, a stout, veteran defense, and a bunch of returning faces have expectations high at Dorman.