Pac-10 Position Breakdown: Secondary – Stanford Cardinal
Last season, Stanford’s defense finished 11th nationally in sacks with 33. A strong front seven returns again in 2009, meaning a repeat performance is quite achievable.
Unfortunately, that may not help the secondary.
Even with consistent pressure being applied by the first and second level, Stanford’s defensive backfield fell victim to an onslaught of passing yards in 2008. The Cardinal’s passing defense ranked 86th in the country, and the unit produced a dreadfully low seven interceptions on the year (107th nationally).
This off-season, the coaching trio of Ron Lynn (co-defensive coordinator), Andy Buh (co-defensive coordinator), and Clayton White (DBs coach) have made a number personnel changes in an attempt to resuscitate the lowly third level. The changes appear to be paying off, as there is now more quality depth at both safety and cornerback. In fact, head coach Jim Harbaugh has been raving about the play of the DBs this fall.
While the unit still has a long way to go, the new look secondary is improving by the day.
Richard Sherman will switch to CB in '09
Cornerbacks
Most of the buzz at cornerback has been generated by star wide receiver Richard Sherman. The senior has accounted for over 1,340 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in his career, giving him by far the highest production of any wideout on the roster. But this season he will suit up for the defense.
The surprising decision was actually made by Sherman himself. During the off-season, head coach Jim Harbaugh received a number of text messages from Sherman who insisted that he could help the team most if he moved to cornerback. After thinking about it for a while, Harbaugh eventually agreed, as the move would give the secondary a huge boost of athleticism.
Many wondered if Sherman could successfully make the transition to CB, but after a spectacular spring performance there are far less doubters. Sherman continues to get better with each practice, and he’s now working with the first team defense.
At 6-3 190 pounds, his combination of size and speed will provide the secondary with a defender for physical wide receivers. He possesses obvious ball skills, as his prolific receiving numbers will indicate, and his instincts as a wideout also seem to be translating well to CB.
The Compton (CA) native has looked especially good in the last week of fall camp, and it should come as no surprise if he starts week one.
Battling Sherman for a starting spot will be junior Corey Gatewood. With the graduation of veteran corner Wopamo Osaisai, Gatewood enters the spotlight as a potential replacement at left side corner. Last season, Gatewood appeared in only one game, but an excellent spring has offset worries about his inexperience a bit.
At 5-11 191 pounds, Gatewood is one of many athletes in the defensive backfield that started their career at another position. He was a highly accomplished two-way player in high school (wide receiver and corner), and his prep career was highlighted by a season in which he caught 12 TDs and intercepted 12 passes.
During Gatewood’s first season in Palo Alto (2007), he was used in the secondary, on special teams, and as a running back (finished with 4 tackles as freshman).
The Randolph (MA) native will see plenty of action in 2009, either as a starter or a primary backup.
After a great spring, sophomore Michael Thomas has become a major factor at cornerback. Last season, Thomas was one of eight true freshmen to see playing time and he finished with 39 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception as a nickel back. The versatile freshman also played on offense, running for 24 yards on four carries in the Cardinal’s version of the “Wildcat” offense. Coaches have already hinted that he will be in that role again in 2009.
At 5-11 188 pounds, Thomas possesses very good speed and quickness, while also demonstrating rare field awareness (which could come from his prep days as a standout QB). He has demonstrated the ability to blitz from the corner or drop into zone coverage, making him one of the most explosive DBs on the roster.
The Houston (TX) native has been great all off-season, and currently holds an edge on the starting right-side corner spot.
Seasoned senior Kris Evans will try to regain control of a starting spot, after falling to third team status recently at fall camp. Evans is entering his fifth year with Stanford, and he has started 16 games in a row at right cornerback. Last season, Evans finished with 67 tackles (49 solo which was 2nd on team), two interceptions (2nd on team), five tackles for loss, and one sack.
At 6-0 188 pounds, Evans is one of the faster CBs on the roster (4.45). His experience will provide the secondary with great value, and the starting lineup is still a strong possibility if he can return to past form.
The Monroe (MI) native must show improvement, because he trails Thomas on the right side at this point.
Safeties
Bo McNally captains the defense
The most accomplished Cardinal defensive back by a mile is senior Bo McNally. For the last two seasons, McNally has been the leading tackler on the defense. Last season he finished with 76 tackles, four interceptions (team-high), six tackles for loss (4th on team), and two sacks. McNally is Stanford’s active career leader in tackles (211), and interceptions (8).
At 6-0 210 pounds, the fifth-year senior is a playmaker at free safety. He stops the run extremely well for a FS, and is also adept in pass coverage. More than anything, he is a clutch performer during key moments of a game. Last season against Oregon State, McNally intercepted a Lyle Moevao pass and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown, which essentially sealed the game for Stanford.
McNally is a team captain, and a candidate for the Lott Trophy (Defensive IMPACT Player of Year). The Salt Lake City (UT) native has looked sharp in fall camp, and will look to close out his fine career with another productive season.
McNally’s new partner at safety looks like it will be sophomore Delano Howell. Howell is yet another player making a position switch to the secondary. Last season, he accounted for 437 all-purpose yards as a running back and kick returner. Stanford coaches have been so impressed by his play this off-season that Howell ascended to the top of the depth chart at strong safety without any game experience on defense.
At 5-11 198 pounds, Howell is a powerful athlete who loves contact. He will provide physical toughness at the SS spot, which is something that the unit has lacked as of late. Scout.com gave Howell 4-star recognition, and he was a SuperPrep All-American while at Hart High School (CA).
The Newhall (CA) native has been one of the most impressive defensive players on the roster during fall camp, and he will have a great chance to hold onto the starting job at strong safety if he continues the impressive play.
Howell’s main challenger at SS is senior Austin Yancy. Yancy missed the entire 2008 season because of a severely strained hamstring. Two years ago, he started all 12 games at the position, totaling 49 tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception.
At 6-3 216 pounds, Yancy possesses ideal size and speed for a strong safety, but he will have to keep improving after such a long layoff. At the very least he provides experience in the secondary, but there is also still a chance that he could overtake Howell in the next few weeks of camp.
The League City (TX) native is now injury-free and ready to contribute this season.
Other players competing for time are: juniors Mark Mueller and Taylor Skaufel, sophomores Sean Wiser, Johnson Bademosi, Harold Bernard, and Quinn Evans, and freshmen Terrence Brown, Marcus Turner, and Jarek Lancaster.
My Take
You have to credit Jim Harbaugh and his assistants for doing whatever it takes to make this secondary serviceable. Last season’s unit played at an unacceptable level (save McNally), and the off-season position switching has been the coaching staff’s best attempt to patch things up. With blue-chip DB help on the way in the 2010 recruiting class, and a reliable front seven in 2009, this unit just has to be decent.
Obviously McNally will do his part, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him on an all-conference team. Cardinal fans may wish that Sherman was still catching touchdown passes, but I really believe he has a chance to be a special corner. His development over the off-season has been remarkable, so I’m excited to see how the season goes for the former freshman All-American wideout.
If Howell and Thomas meet expectations, Stanford’s D will no longer have a weakness at the third level.
While this group still has plenty of questions, the ‘Furd’s pass defense should be better than 86th nationally in 2009.
Stanford Cardinal
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Austin Yancy, Bo McNally, Corey Gatewood, Corner Back, Delano Howell, Football, Kris Evans, Michael Thomas, Richard Sherman, Safety, Secondary
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