Coach Kavell Conner completed his second season at UWF as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2024, further solidifying the Argos’ defense as one of the most dominant units in the country. The 2024 UWF defense not only led all of Division II but ranked first across all levels of college football in tackles for loss per game (11) and yards per play allowed (3.6). The team also finished third nationally in total defense and sacks per game, setting new program standards.
UWF’s defense dominated the Gulf South Conference in 2024, finishing first in total defense, tackles for loss, sacks, forced fumbles, opponent first downs, and opponent fourth down conversion percentage. Nationally, the unit ranked first in total yards per play allowed and tackles for loss per game, while also placing in the top ten in total defense (third), rushing yards allowed (10th), pass efficiency defense (eighth), and sacks (third).
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-Conference honors at linebacker in 2024 after his 2023 Freshman of the Year campaign.
Building on the foundation set in 2023, the Argos' defense continued to dominate in 2024. Over the past two seasons, UWF has shattered every school record while securing back-to-back first-place rankings in the Gulf South Conference for total defense, rush defense, sacks, and tackles for loss. In year number one, the 2023 Argos' defense saw major improvements, with multiple players having career seasons.
Coach Conner developed three first-year starters into major contributors and postseason award winners. Senior Linebacker Gael Laurent was named First Team All-Conference and All-Region. Freshman Linebacker Ralph Ortiz was selected as the 2023 GSC Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, the first in program history. The third being Sophomore Linebacker Walker Robinson, who was also an All-GSC Selection. The dominant play by the Argos' linebackers bolstered the best defensive output in school history, as the Argos finished the season as the number one total defense in the GSC Conference, number one in sacks, number one in third-down conversion defense, and number two in rush defense and pass defense.
Coach Kavell Conner came to Pensacola following two seasons working with the defense at Clemson University. He worked with the linebackers and was on the field during games while with the Tigers.
"Kavell and I worked together at Clemson, and he brings Division I and NFL experience as a player and coach," UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles said. "He will bring a toughness and aggressiveness to the defense that we are looking for at UWF."
Conner was a productive linebacker at Clemson from 2005-09, leading the Tigers in tackles in both 2008 and 2009. He earned the team's strength and conditioning award in his final two seasons and served as a captain on Clemson's 2009 squad, which earned the program's first ACC Championship Game berth.
After being selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Conner played six NFL seasons from 2010-15. He appeared in 78 career games with the Colts (2010-13) and San Diego Chargers (2014-15) before spending the 2016 preseason with the Baltimore Ravens and the 2017 season with the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was a 2010 NFL All-Rookie selection.
Conner earned a degree in sociology from Clemson in 2009.
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