Football: A Closer Look at the Defensive Backs
8/24/2000 12:00:00 PM | Football
Aug. 24, 2000
With the exception of junior free safety Andy Boyd, the secondary is the least experienced area of the defense. As a result, Pinkel expects the battles for playing time to be intense.
"The secondary is wide-open," said Pinkel. "There are a lot of young players battling for spots back there. It's going to be exciting to see what happens."
Boyd's performance in 1999 suffered due to injuries. But he earned the respect of his coach by playing with a broken rib and dislocations in both shoulders.
"Andy Boyd. You talk about tough," said Pinkel. "How would you like to play with two dislocated shoulders and two broken ribs?" Boyd, who had 61 tackles and three interceptions in 1999, missed spring drills due to surgery on both shoulders. He is expected to be ready to play this fall. His injuries opened the door for sophomore Demetris Simms, who was listed as No. 1 at free safety coming out of spring drills.
Seven players will be vying for the cornerback positions. Seniors Fabian Burke and Marcus Hill, junior James Stanley, sophomores Jehu Anderson, Tony Miller, and redshirt freshmen Brandon Hefflin and David Mentlow are all legitimate candidates at the corners.
"Jehu (Anderson) started as a freshman last year," said Pinkel. "He's penciled in as a starter. James (Stanley) is a young man who has really matured. Marcus (Hill) and Fabian (Burke) are seniors who have played here a long time. They're competing for spots. Tony (Miller) is back. He's a great athlete. He came back after missing a year to concentrate on baseball. He comes in and runs a 4.4. Brandon (Hefflin) and Dave (Mentlow) are two top corners coming in as redshirt freshmen. At safety, Demetris (Simms) got a chance this spring because Andy (Boyd) was injured. The secondary has good athletes, they just need to become good football players."
