The University of Idaho football program bolstered its secondary Thursday, announcing the signing of defensive back Deion Gunn, a transfer who brings experience at cornerback, safety, and nickel from his time at Ellsworth Community College and UAB.
Gunn, a 5-foot-11 Alabama native from Center Point, becomes the third defensive back addition for the Vandals since spring practice wrapped up, joining Sha’Heem Taylor and Daemon Fagan as new pieces in the secondary under defensive coordinator Lee Stalker.
A Versatile Defender with Championship Pedigree
Gunn’s football roots run deep in Alabama. He prepped at Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Alabama, where he was part of a dominant program that went a perfect 14-0 and captured the Class 6A state championship in 2023, defeating Saraland in the title game. That Clay-Chalkville squad was a defensive juggernaut, holding opponents to seven points or fewer in seven games and posting three shutouts on the season.
Following high school, Gunn enrolled at UAB — located just 15 minutes from his hometown — where he appeared in one game during his true freshman year before moving on to Ellsworth Community College in 2025. At the junior college level, Gunn played primarily cornerback but also lined up at safety and in the nickel role, demonstrating the kind of positional flexibility that college coaching staffs increasingly prize in the secondary.
In five appearances at Ellsworth, Gunn made a notable impact: he tallied 17 total tackles, hauled in one interception, and broke up eight passes — a production line that reflects his ability to contribute both near the line of scrimmage and in coverage.
Secondary Depth a Priority Heading into the Fall
Idaho’s decision to add three defensive backs since the close of spring camp signals a clear emphasis on reinforcing depth in the back end of Stalker’s defense. The Vandals have been active in the transfer portal this offseason, and Gunn’s signing adds another experienced option with multi-position versatility to a room that will be expected to compete at a high level when the season opens.
Thomas Ford Jr. is also affiliated with the Idaho football program in connection with Gunn’s recruitment and signing.
Gunn’s path — from a championship program in Alabama to junior college and now to Moscow — reflects the winding routes many players take through the modern college football landscape. His combination of prep success and demonstrated production at the junior college level gives Vandal fans reason for optimism as the roster takes shape for the upcoming season.
What Comes Next
With Gunn now signed, the Vandals’ secondary has seen significant reshaping since spring practice concluded. Coaching staff will look to integrate Gunn, Taylor, and Fagan into the defensive scheme over fall camp. Fans and analysts will be watching to see how Stalker deploys Gunn’s versatility across cornerback, safety, and nickel responsibilities when the Vandals return to action. For the latest on University of Idaho athletics and campus developments — including the school’s newly announced AI degree programs launching this fall — stay with Latah County News and Idaho News for ongoing coverage.