Coach Kavell Conner completed his third season at UWF in 2025 as the Argos’ Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach, continuing to direct one of the most dominant defenses in Division II football.
In 2025, UWF’s defense again reached historic levels of production. The Argos allowed just 39.9 rushing yards per game, the lowest mark in Gulf South Conference history and No. 1 nationally, while also leading the country in yards per rush (1.5). For the second straight season, West Florida led all of college football—regardless of division—in tackles for loss per game, cementing the unit as the most disruptive defense in the sport.
The 2025 defense was driven by elite individual production across all three levels of the defense:
- Ja’Kobe Clinton (LB) led the Gulf South Conference in tackles for loss (19.0) and finished third in sacks (7.0) while ranking among the league leaders in total tackles (78). His play earned him GSC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-GSC honors. Nationally, Clinton was named AFCA First Team, AP First Team, Don Hansen First Team, and D2CCA Second Team All-American, and was selected to the D2Football.com Elite 100.
- Kevin Roberts (DL) ranked second in the GSC in tackles for loss (18.0) and led the conference in sacks (9.0). He earned First Team All-GSC, CFB Network Third Team All-American, and selection to the D2Football.com Elite 100.
- In the secondary, Chester Fearon (DB) tied for second in the GSC with 5 interceptions, anchoring a turnover-producing back end. He earned AP Second Team All-American and Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American honors.
- Walker Robinson (LB) posted 85 total tackles, added 8.0 tackles for loss, and earned First Team All-GSC recognition.
- Warren Coneway (LB) finished with 52 total tackles and 8.0 tackles for loss, earning Second Team All-GSC honors.
Collectively, Conner’s 2025 defense placed three players on All-America teams, produced the GSC Defensive Player of the Year for the third straight season, and developed three All-GSC linebackers in Clinton (First Team), Robinson (First Team), and Coneway (Second Team).
In 2024, Conner directed a defense that led all of Division II — and all levels of college football — in tackles for loss per game (11) and yards per play allowed (3.6). The Argos finished third nationally in total defense and sacks per game, while also ranking top-10 in rushing defense and pass efficiency defense.
For the second consecutive year, UWF produced the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year, with Traevon Mitchell following in the footsteps of 2023 winner John McMullen. Mitchell also became UWF’s second straight All-American defensive player.
Additionally, sophomore Ralph Ortiz earned First Team All-GSC at linebacker in 2024 after winning GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2023.
In 2023, Conner’s first season as coordinator, the Argos built the foundation for their modern defensive identity. The unit finished No. 1 in the GSC in total defense, sacks, and third-down defense while ranking second in rush and pass defense.
Conner developed three first-year starters into postseason award winners:
- Gael Laurent — First Team All-GSC & All-Region
- Ralph Ortiz — GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year (first in program history)
- Walker Robinson — All-GSC selection
Prior to UWF, Conner spent two seasons working with the defense at Clemson University, assisting with linebackers and working on the field during games.
As a player, Conner was a standout linebacker at Clemson (2005–09), leading the team in tackles in both 2008 and 2009 and serving as a captain on Clemson’s first ACC Championship Game team. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft, playing six NFL seasons with the Colts and San Diego Chargers before spending time with the Baltimore Ravens and Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL). He was named a 2010 NFL All-Rookie selection.
Conner earned his degree in sociology from Clemson in 2009.
