Position training
Defensive back training in Ajax
Our Sunday sessions at The Competitive Edge in Ajax include defensive back (DB) training for cornerbacks and safeties, open to players from across Durham and the GTA. The drills are tailored to each position.
Who coaches our defensive backs
Coach Darryl Cain is our DB coach. He has been on our coaching staff since 2016, and his focus is speed, agility and reading the play.
Coach Jake Kelly plays defensive back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and joins us in the CFL off-season. He came through KF Football as a player.
Kelly played DB at Bishop's University from 2018 to 2022. Winnipeg took him with the 15th pick of the 2023 CFL Draft, and his first CFL interception came in week 7 of 2026, at Ottawa. Meet the rest of our coaches.
Drills built for the position
Our Sunday drills are built for each position and work on quickness, form and decision-making.
Chad Wilson played defensive back for the Miami Hurricanes and now runs a DB camp. Two of his basics make a good checklist for a young DB:
- In the backpedal, the arm swings stay short and the feet stay quick.
- In press coverage, the eyes go to the receiver's waist.
Defensive backs who trained with us
These players came through KF Football and went on to play defensive back in university, the NCAA or the CFL. Darius Samuels is from Oshawa. Most of the others grew up in Toronto, Scarborough, Brampton or Markham.
- Jake Kelly (Markham): Bishop's, then the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
- Devynn Cromwell (Toronto): Guelph from 2021 to 2023, then Texas Tech and Michigan State. U SPORTS second-team All-Canadian at halfback in 2021. Hamilton took him with the 25th pick of the 2026 CFL Draft.
- Richard Aduboffour (Toronto): Western. Saskatchewan took him with the 68th pick of the 2024 CFL Draft, and he was an OUA first-team all-star that fall.
- Nico McCarthy (Scarborough): Laurier, an OUA second-team all-star in 2022 and 2023. Winnipeg signed him in January 2024.
- Nick Cartagenise (Brampton): Bishop's. On September 14, 2019 he had three interceptions against Mount Allison and returned one 79 yards for a touchdown.
- Ethan Bayfield (Toronto): Laurier, 2021 to 2025. Two seasons at receiver, then three at defensive back.
- Darius Samuels (Oshawa): Guelph, 2016 to 2021.
- Miles La Foucade (Brampton) and Malcom James (Toronto): Guelph, 2020 to 2025.
- Brandon Kim: cornerback on Tulane's 2024 roster.
From Sundays to the 7v7 team
In 7v7 every down is a pass and there is no line play, so a defensive back is in coverage on every snap. Here is how 7v7 football works.
Our 7v7 Travel Team runs January to May for 16U and 13U players. It is invite-only, with weekly practices and tournaments. To be considered, upload game film on the 7v7 page.
In May and June, our NCAA Camp Tours take players to selected NCAA camps, with coaching on site.
The details
- Sundays, 9 to 10am.
- The Competitive Edge, Unit 12, 377 Mackenzie Ave, Ajax.
- Ages 8 to 16, in two groups: 8 to 11 and 12 to 16.
- $99 a month + HST. A second child gets 25% off every payment.
- Each block is 8 Sundays, and you can join on any Sunday.
Questions parents ask about DB training
- Who coaches the defensive backs at KF Football?
- Coach Darryl Cain leads them. Coach Jake Kelly, who plays defensive back in the CFL, joins us in the off-season.
- Can a receiver switch to defensive back?
- It happens. Ethan Bayfield, who trained with us, played receiver at Laurier in 2021 and 2022, then defensive back from 2023 to 2025.
- Where have defensive backs from KF gone on to play?
- Bishop's, Guelph, Western, Laurier, Texas Tech, Michigan State and Tulane. Winnipeg drafted Jake Kelly in 2023, and Hamilton drafted Devynn Cromwell in 2026.
Start on any Sunday
We have trained athletes in Ajax since 2013. Blocks run for 8 weeks, and you can join on any Sunday. [Sign up](/register) and bring your DB to The Competitive Edge.
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