ENGLEWOOD — Doug Belk is ready for this jump.

The Broncos new defensive backs coach is on the cusp of his first NFL season after being established among the top defensive coaches and recruiters in college football.

Belk, 38, began his coaching career at Division II powerhouse Valdosta State. He won a national title at Alabama as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban. Belk later joined the coaching staffs at West Virginia, Houston and USC.

Yet all roads led to the NFL.

“I had opportunities in the NFL prior. But I had become a coordinator young (at Houston). I was on that journey,” Belk told The Denver Gazette after a recent training camp practice. “But this is the level I’ve always wanted to be at. The highest level and to win at a championship level. … To be around a veteran head coach who is a Super Bowl winner in Sean Payton. Then you go to (defensive coordinator) Vance (Joseph) and the success he’s had. It’s pretty cool.

“Just really a great opportunity and I’m very grateful for it.”

Belk inherits a talented defensive backs unit. Pat Surtain won NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2024 and is arguably the league’s best cornerback. That makes life difficult for Riley Moss.

The starting cornerback opposite Surtain led the NFL in targets (118) last season. Yet Moss also logged 19 passes defended. The Broncos’ starting safety duo — Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga — and nickel cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian are considered among the league’s best, too.

“It starts with Pat and his leadership. Just very selfless,” Belk told The Denver Gazette. “You wouldn’t know that he was the starter he is. I give him a lot of credit for the way that he approaches the game. A true professional, and I think it trickles down. From corners to safeties to nickels.”

Cornerback Jahdae Barron, a No. 20 overall draft pick in 2025, has untapped potential after he played on 30% of total defensive snaps in his rookie season. Belk previously recruited Barron to play college football at Houston (he signed with Texas).

“Jahdae is very talented,” Belk told The Denver Gazette. “He can move around and play a lot of positions.”

Belk has spent the past few months getting to know his players, personally and developmentally, to gain their trust. Early returns are positive. The Broncos also hired Robert Livingston, another longtime college football assistant, as defensive pass-game coordinator.

“I think it’s pretty awesome to have the opportunity to learn from them, and just to really be transparent with one another, because obviously they come from different experiences,” Surtain said. “What they learned throughout their years, and sort of me just telling them what I learned throughout my years, too. I think (that) goes hand in hand.”

Cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine added: “(Belk) is new, so he’s still trying to figure his way out. But he has a relationship with everyone. He wants to coach. He wants us to get better, and he wants us to be ourselves. That’s what I like. … He’s going to make us get better.”

Belk embraces the challenge of elevating an already talented Broncos secondary.

“We’re working on details and small things with some of these older guys. Communication and technique,” Belk said. “Each player, in my opinion, needs something different. From the spring until now, building relationships with each one of them. Riley needs something. Jahdae needs something. So really just being very detailed in our approach. Working on playing together schematically. The big picture is playing together.

“You get what you emphasize. There’s been a big emphasis on technique. There’s been a big emphasis on taking the ball away. I think throughout camp you’ve seen that consistently show up.”