As impressive as the 2008 season was, the unit has a chance to be even better in 2009.

Defensive coordinator Bob Gregory and defensive backs coach Al Simmons will have the services of virtually every contributor from last year, and they will welcome fresh new talent as well.

One of America’s best cornerbacks will headline this unit, and he is looking to end his remarkable career in Berkeley with another tremendous season.

Syd'quan Thompson getting past the line

Cornerbacks

Decorated senior Syd’Quan Thompson enters the 2009 season as a legitimate contender for the Jim Thorpe Award (Best DB in Nation), Chuck Bednarik Award (Best Defensive Player in nation according to Maxwell Football Club), and Bronco Nagurski Trophy (Best Defensive Player according to Football Writers of America).

Thompson has started 39 straight games for Cal since redshirting in 2005. He is the Bears career active leader in tackles (208), interceptions (six), passes defended (32) and pass breakups (26). Last season, he finished with 70 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions (team-high), and 14 pass breakups (second on team) on his way to first-team All-Pac 10 honors.

On top of his stellar defensive production, Thompson also returns punts for the Bears. He finished 4th in the Pac-10 during 2008 with 28 returns for 344 yards (12.3 YPR) and one touchdown.

At 5-9 191 pounds, Thompson possesses excellent speed (4.4) and arguably the best ball skills of any cornerback in the country. He is an instinctive player who can cover an opposing team’s feature receiver one-on-one, and his exceptional ability to tackle in space separates him as a truly rare CB.

Despite his relatively small frame, Thompson can be a devastating hitter who is not afraid to lower his shoulder on players much bigger than he is. He’s also a threat to score after an interception, possessing elite field awareness once the ball is in his hands, as evidenced by his punt return production.

The Sacramento (CA) native became a superstar defender even before his arrival in Berkeley, garnering five-star recognition from Scout.com and 4-stars from Rivals during his successful prep career at Grant High School (CA).

Thompson now enters the final chapter of his collegiate career as the unquestioned anchor of this impressive secondary.

Joining Thompson as a starting corner for the second straight season will be junior Darian Hagan.

Darian Hagan in on the team-tackle

Last season was Hagan’s first taste of extensive playing time (no recorded stats in five games during ’07) and he thrived, finishing with 56 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and a school-record 15 pass breakups in a breakout sophomore campaign.

At 6-0 186 pounds, Hagan plays faster than his 40 time (4.5), showing fluid movement and tremendous range in coverage. He possesses great size and strength, and has a knack for reading offensive plays with his natural instincts. Hagan demonstrated his superior ball skills last season (15 pass breakups), but he is also capable of playing in the box on run-support.

The Los Angeles (CA) native was given 4-star recognition by both Rivals and Scout.com, while also being named a PrepStar All-American. Hagan has been limited recently in fall practice because of a sore knee, but he is expected to be 100% for the season. He will be one of the key performers for this defensive backfield in 2009.

Two top reserves that should provide quality depth at cornerback are junior Bryant Nnabuife and redshirt freshman Marc Anthony.

Nnabuife played sparingly last season, contributing mostly on special teams and finishing with five tackles and one pass breakup. Even in a very limited role, the junior college transfer (Blinn College, TX) managed to make a huge impact for the Bears in 2008 by returning two blocked punts for touchdowns (first against Michigan State and then Colorado State). He will now make a position switch from safety to cornerback for 2009.

At 6-1 190 pounds, Nnabuife is a fantastic athlete with great size and some of the best speed on the team (4.38). The Houston (TX) native has worked with the first team at times during the fall, and he will be an important contributor in 2009.

Anthony spent last season with the scout team but now appears ready to make an impact for the Bears. At 6-0 194 pounds, he’s physical in press coverage, aggressive in run support, and a very good tackler.

Anthony is not a burner (4.5), but he makes up for it with his intuitive feel for the position. Rivals.com gave the Chandler (AZ) native 4-star recognition during his excellent prep career at Chandler High School. He has looked good during the fall and could become a mainstay at corner over the next few years.

Safeties

Reliable senior Marcus Ezeff will lead the safeties in 2009. Ezeff has established himself as a stable presence in the defensive backfield over the last two years, playing in 34 games and starting 17 during his career.

Last season, he finished fifth on the team with 66 tackles, and also totaled three interceptions (tied for 2nd on team) and six pass breakups as a full time starter. Many may remember Ezeff for his clutch hit on Oregon’s Cameron Colvin in 2007 where he jarred the ball loose for a touchback and preserved the win for Cal.

Marcus Ezeff preserving the win for Cal

At 5-11 219 pounds, Ezeff is a technician at safety who always seems to be in the right position and plays with perfect fundamentals. He has very good range and can close down space in a hurry. The Santa Rosa (CA) native has become more of a vocal leader during the off-season, and he will look to close out his career with another productive campaign.

The other starting safety will be hard-hitting senior Brett Johnson. After two seasons on special teams, Johnson started nine games last season, finishing with 43 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one punt block (against Michigan State).

At 6-1 194 pounds, Johnson is a solidly built athlete with good speed (sub-4.5) and leaping ability (39 inch vertical). He’s a powerful tackler who can be an intimidating presence in the secondary, and also possesses the size and skill set to help against the run. The Las Vegas (NV) has been battling some minor injuries in fall camp, but he should be ready for the season.

Pushing Johnson for time at safety will be sophomore Sean Cattouse. Cattouse enjoyed a successful redshirt freshman campaign in 2008, finishing with 13 tackles, three interceptions (tied for 2nd on team), and five pass breakups in 11 games (two starts). At 6-2 206 pounds, he possesses good athleticism and a ball-hawking mentality.

Some around the Cal program believe he will supplant Johnson as the starter at some point this season, but he should see plenty of action even as a backup. The Chicago (IL) native has taken reps with the first team in fall practice (while Johnson recovers from injury), and looks like the future at safety for the Bears.

Experienced junior Chris Conte enters the season as another top reserve at safety after switching from cornerback this off-season. Last year, Conte played CB in 12 games (one start) and finished with 28 tackles, one interception, one tackle for loss, and seven pass breakups. Two years ago, Conte earned honorable mention Freshman All-American in his debut season with Cal (32 tackles, one tackle for loss).

At 6-3 205 pounds, Conte blends safety size with cornerback speed (4.4) and quickness. He may be the most versatile defender in the secondary, and could end up playing all over the place this season. Rivals.com gave him 4-star recognition during his prep career at Loyola High School (CA). The Los Angeles (CA) native has been excellent this fall, and he should be the Bears best utility DB in 2009.

Other players competing for time are: juniors Charles Amadi and Jesse Brooks, sophomores D.J. Campbell and Chris Moncrease, and freshmen Steve Williams (fast riser during fall camp, 4-stars from Rivals and Scout), Alex Logan, Tyre Ellison, Josh Hill, and Vachel Samuels.

My Take

Kudos to DBs coach Al Simmons for the job he has done with this secondary. Many of the players believe he was largely responsible for the Bears sixth rated pass defense last season. Since Simmons return to Cal (served as DBs coach from 1998-2000 and returned in 2008) the level of play at the third level has been absolutely outstanding, and he seems to have turned very good players into great ones.

As mentioned earlier, this defensive backfield deserves to be mentioned with the best in America, especially if you consider that there’s even more talent present within the unit this year.

Syd’Quan Thompson could conceivably be playing pre-season games in the NFL right now, as he was very close to entering the draft last season. Fortunately for Bears fans, his return is one of the major reasons that a Pac-10 title is a realistic possibility. If Thompson has the kind of season that most are expecting, I think he will have a great chance to be a first round pick this April.

Hagan proved last season that he is a reliable number two corner. With teams looking to avoid Thompson, he played exceptionally well, and I expect another productive season in 2009. After Hagan, there is quality depth, with Nnabuife, Anthony and others capable of contributing (which is why a stud like Steve Williams can probably redshirt).

At safety, Ezeff should continue to be rock solid in the back, and Johnson is a quality veteran as well (although I see Cattouse making a hard charge for that job).

Bob Gregory’s defense looks scary from front to back, and this secondary should be especially difficult for opposing offenses to navigate in 2009.

But for Oregon to play in Pasadena twice this season (once being at UCLA), the secondary will have to step up in a big way.

Aliotti’s defenses are known for achieving great success through aggressive man-to-man defense, and for the most part, they played that way in 2008 even though the numbers seem to tell a different story.

The defensive backfield finished 111th nationally in pass defense, and last in the Pac-10. There were a number of reasons for this, ranging from the UO offense’s time of possession (last in nation at 25:11), to the run defense being so strong (23rd nationally, 2nd in Pac-10).

Still, in two of the Ducks three losses (against USC and Boise State), the secondary allowed an average of 414.5 yards passing, and repeat performances against the Broncos and Trojans will be unacceptable.

Walter Thurmond III runs it in for the score

The unit must replace two NFL talents, in cornerback Jairus Byrd (2nd round pick of Bills) and rover Patrick Chung (2nd round pick of Patriots). While it won’t be easy, the shelf is still pretty well stocked.

Secondary coach John Neal has a ton of skill to work with even after the losses of Byrd and Chung, including an all-conference cornerback ready to end his Ducks career with a special senior season.

Cornerbacks

Senior Walter Thurmond III enters the 2009 season as one of the most decorated cornerbacks in the Pac-10. He was named to the Jim Thorpe (Top DB in Nation) watch list, and voted pre-season First Team All-American by a variety of publications.

Thurmond has become a mainstay in the Ducks secondary, starting 37 of the last 38 games, and garnering some form of post-season honors in each of the last three seasons.

Last year, he finished tied for first in the Pac-10 with five interceptions despite missing time with injuries, and totaled 66 tackles and 13 pass breakups as well. In addition to his role in the secondary, Thurmond returned a team-high 21 kickoffs for 527 yards (25.1 avg. including a 91 yard return against Oklahoma State). In 2007, he finished second on the team with 103 tackles and five interceptions, while also breaking up a conference-high 23 passes.

At 6-0 180 pounds, Thurmond possesses an elite combination of size and speed (4.3). He is a true game-changer at cornerback who loves to bait quarterbacks into throwing his way (see 40 yard INT TD in Civil War). Thurmond can be left on an island against almost any receiver in the conference, making him the perfect Aliotti style defender. He has also demonstrated excellent run-stopping ability, which is a rarity at his position.

Thurmond enjoyed a particularly good spring even by his standards, and he’s looked sharp in fall practice as well. The West Covina (CA) native will be counted on to provide the Ducks D with a true shutdown cornerback in 2009.

The likely starter at CB alongside Thurmond will be senior Willie Glasper.

The experienced Glasper has played in 39 games (most of any player on defense) during his career as a backup CB and primary special teams contributor. Last season, he finished with 21 tackles, but he figures to increase that total quite a bit in 2009.

At 5-11 188 pounds, Glasper is a true cover-corner, with great speed (4.4) and polished technique. He breaks well on the ball and has good overall awareness. Glasper is not the dynamite athlete that Thurmond is, so teams may therefore attack his side of the field if he starts this season. Nonetheless, he is a gifted and experienced number-two caliber cornerback who appears up for the challenge.

The Pittsburg (CA) native was given 4-star recognition by both Rivals and Scout.com, while also garnering Parade All-American honors after a stellar prep career at De La Salle High School (CA). Glasper had a pelvic injury recently this fall, but he has looked 100% over the last few days of camp. His presence will be very important in the secondary, and he has a great chance to start in 2009.

Redshirt freshman Scott Grady and sophomore Anthony Gildon are also options at corner.

The 5-11 180 pound Grady spent last season with the scout team, and has impressed John Neal with his off-season progress. Grady has looked stronger, faster and more confident than the coaches anticipated, and he appears ready to contribute this season.

He plays with great anticipation and has the size to jam receivers (plays bigger than 5-11 180). He also has great ball skills and can help out on run support. The Tigard (OR) native will be a key reserve at corner this season.

The 6-1 175 pound Gildon appeared in nine games as a true freshman in 2007 (one tackle), and redshirted last season. He is a superior athlete with tremendous leaping ability (36.5 inch vertical), great speed (4.45), and impressive fluidity. His size should allow him to flourish in Aliotti’s physical defensive scheme, as he is perfect for press man-to-man defense. Rivals.com gave Gildon 4-star recognition while he was at Oaks Christian High School (CA).

The Simi Valley (CA) native should see considerable action in 2009.

Safeties

Besides Thurmond, senior T.J. Ward is the biggest superstar in this defensive backfield. The punishing free safety has made a habit of producing highlight-reel hits.

Last season, he led all Oregon tacklers with 101 stops (tied for fifth in conference) and also added eight pass breakups (2nd on team) and 5.5 tackles for loss on his way to honorable mention All-Pac 10. The former walk-on enters this season on a variety of pre-season all-conference teams.

At 5-11 201 pounds, Ward is an exceptionally powerful athlete, and he demonstrated his strength this off-season as a member of the Oregon Iron Club with a combined 1,083 pounds in the clean, squat, and bench press. He plays the free safety position like a true intimidator, using a combination of good speed (sub-4.5), excellent instincts and aggressive pursuit angles to blow up offensive plays at will.

The Antioch (CA) native will be one of the key performers on the defense this season.

Patrick Chung’s replacement at rover will be junior Talmadge Jackson III. Jackson has played in 26 straight games since arriving in Eugene as a true freshman in 2007. Last season, he totaled 30 tackles, six pass breakups, and two interceptions (3rd on team), while also starting at CB when Thurmond was injured against Boise State and Washington State. Additionally, he returned five kickoffs for 59 yards on special teams.

At 5-10 182 pounds, Jackson is a versatile athlete with great speed (sub-4.5) and excellent quickness. He’s a great fit for the rover position because of his ability to cover, play in the box, and contribute in nickel situations. His size may not suggest that he can play safety, but Aliotti believes he plays in space better than any other candidate at rover. Jackson has also practiced at corner, and could play there again if injuries mount in the secondary.

Regardless of where he plays, Jackson will be a primary contributor for the Ducks in 2009. The Murrieta (CA) native was limited to non-contact drills during spring because of injury, but he has responded nicely during the fall.

Junior Marvin Johnson will be Jackson’s main backup at rover. Last season, Johnson was a key reserve and special teams contributor, making 14 tackles and one fumble recovery in 11 games, but also missing a lot of time with an injury.

At 5-11 199 pounds, Johnson has a very good combination of size and speed, but also a history of knee problems. When healthy, he is one of the hardest hitters in the secondary and one of the best overall athletes on the team (reportedly throws the football 75 yards).

The Compton (CA) native must prove that he can stay healthy, as his presence is very important for the depth at safety.

Sophomore Javes Lewis should be a key backup for Ward at free safety. Lewis played in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman, accounting for 19 tackles and three pass breakups as a reserve DB. At 6-1 185 pounds, he is an explosive athlete who loves to hit, and could become a mainstay at safety once Ward graduates, but he is prone to giving up some big plays. For now, the Tustin (CA) native will likely play a limited role in the secondary, but he has a bright future with the program.

Other players competing for time are: seniors Titus Jackson and Pono Kam, junior Brian Butterfield, sophomore Will Wallace, freshmen Kenjon Barner (may spend time at RB) Tyrone Radford, and Brian Jackson

* Freshman Cliff Harris is still awaiting clearance from NCAA so his status is unclear, and freshman Avery Patterson is out with foot surgery. Neither player was listed on the latest fall roster.

My Take

Half of this Oregon secondary (Thurmond and Ward) is as good as any in the conference, but it is the other half that will determine the Ducks fate at the third level. It’s hard for me to imagine this unit without Byrd (started 37 consecutive games) and especially Chung (51 consecutive games started in a row; most in school history for UO defensive player). But, the show must go on in Eugene, and there are some capable replacements.

Obviously the headliner will be Thurmond, who has next-level ability and could even work his way into the first round of the draft this coming April if he has another strong year. There are very few playmaking corners like Thurmond, and it is a pleasure to watch him play.

His partner looks like it will be Glasper, who arrived at UO with great expectations and may finally get the chance to reach them. As mentioned earlier, I expect teams to attack Glasper early, but I also believe he has the cover skills necessary to handle it.

At safety, Ward should add a few more Sportscenter hits to his resume, while also continuing to be ultra-productive at FS. Aliotti defenses are known for flying all over the field, and Ward personifies that philosophy.

I am most interested in the rover position, where Talmadge Jackson is looking to replace a legend (coaches jokingly called the position “The Chung” for four years). Head coach Chip Kelly believes Jackson is very similar to Byrd, possessing the versatility to play corner and both safety spots. I agree, and that’s why I’m excited to see how he does this season.

There are certainly question marks within this Oregon secondary, and the answers could come in Boise, Idaho week one.

Ultimately, I expect the unit to generate a ton of turnovers as it has in the past, while also giving up some passing yards in the process.

It will be impossible for the defensive backfield to improve on its statistical production from last year (#1 pass defense and scoring defense in nation for 2008), but repeating the utter dominance actually seems quite achievable.

The cornerbacks look great and the safeties look downright scary. New defensive coordinator Rocky Seto (also secondary coach) should have a fun time with this unit in 2009.

Kevin Thomas running back an interception

Cornerbacks

Leading the way at corner will be senior Kevin Thomas. Thomas enters his last season at SC coming off of a successful 2008 campaign. He played in all 13 games last season (two starts) and contributed 14 tackles, three interceptions (team high, one INT returned for TD), two sacks, and seven pass deflections.

His junior campaign was especially rewarding considering the adversity Thomas has dealt with during his career. He missed most of the 2006 season with a broken foot, and then missed all of 2007 in order to recover from off-season shoulder surgery (redshirted that year as a junior).

Now, Thomas will look to end his Trojan career with another injury-free season.

At 6-1 190 pounds, Thomas possesses excellent size for a corner as well as the speed (4.47) and leaping ability (38 inch vertical) to cover any receiver that opponents throw his way. The Oxnard (CA) native was given 4-stars by both Rivals and Scout.com, and he was voted a PrepStar All-American.

Thomas has looked great during fall camp, and is a lock to start in 2009.

Starting alongside Thomas will be junior Shareece Wright. Wright started the first two games of the 2008 season against Virginia and Ohio State, looking excellent in both. Unfortunately, he suffered a hairline fracture in his neck during practice the following week, and his season was cut short. Because the injury occurred so early in the season, Wright was allowed to redshirt.

As a reserve in 2007, he demonstrated a promising skill set, making 29 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and four pass deflections in 11 games of action. At 6-0 185 pounds, Wright has great size and strength, along with tenacious cover skills. He is not a burner (4.5), but he does possess elite quickness, fluid hips, and polished technique. Wright is a savvy cornerback, who can be a legitimate lockdown defender.

The Colton (CA) native was given 4-star recognition from Rivals and Scout.com, and he was also a PrepStar All-American.

Like Thomas, Wright is a lock to start, and he may draw the opposition’s number one receiver frequently in 2009.

Sophomore T.J. Bryant should see significant playing time this season. Bryant appeared in seven games as a true freshman, totaling seven tackles, two pass deflections, and one interception.

At 6-0 180 pounds, he is yet another tall and rangy Trojans cornerback. Bryant is faster than the two starters (4.4), and also possesses the same amount of physicality in his play. He has a very fluid change of direction and great recovery speed, while also demonstrating exceptional field awareness. His greatest strength may be his ball skills, and he can become a dangerous open-field threat after an interception.

The Tallahassee (FL) native was a big-time recruiting coup for Pete Carroll and Co., as he chose the Trojans over local favorites Florida State and Florida. Rivals and Scout.com gave him 4-star recognition, and he was voted USA Today All-USA First Team.

Bryant will be a key reserve for USC in 2009.

Safeties

Taylor Mays' presence is always felt on the field

A very strong argument can be made that senior Taylor Mays is the best defensive player in all of college football. At the very least, he is the most intimidating.

Now, he enters the final chapter of his decorated career as a fringe Heisman contender. Surely he would have been a first-round pick in last year’s draft but he chose to return to SC because of his desire to win a national championship.

Last season, he anchored the best defensive secondary in the country on his way to consensus First-Team All-American honors (for second year in a row). He totaled 53 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a team-high nine pass breakups, all while opposing offenses tried to avoid his area as much as possible.

Even with relatively mediocre statistics, he was a finalist for the Thorpe Award in 2008 (Nation’s Top DB), and will be one of the favorites to win it this season. For his career, Mays has accounted for 180 tackles, 18 pass breakups, and four interceptions.

At 6-3 230 pounds, he is the quintessential intimidator at safety. His otherworldly combination of size, strength, speed (he’s been timed at 4.32 in 40), and leaping ability (41 inch vertical) has allowed him to make plays that most DB’s can only dream of.

Mays burst onto the scene as a true freshman starter, earning a variety of post-season honors, including Sporting News Second-Team All-American. The Seattle (WA) native received five-star recognition from Rivals and Scout.com, while also being named a Parade All-American.

Mays will be a team-captain in 2009, and he’s looking to close out his prolific Trojan career with some hardware.

Senior Josh Pinkard will move from cornerback to strong safety this season. Last season, he started 11 games at CB, totaling 39 tackles, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and one interception on his way to Honorable Mention All-Pac 10.

Pinkard received a sixth year of eligibility after missing most of 2006 and all of the 2007 season with severe knee ligament damage. His road back has been a trying one, but after all of the surgeries and rehab, Pinkard has prevailed.

At 6-1 215 pounds, he is a great athlete with an outstanding football IQ. His versatile skill set allows him to play at every spot in the secondary, and he should fit in nicely at strong safety.

The Oxnard (CA) native has been fantastic in fall camp, and like Mays, he will also serve as a co-captain in 2009.

The top reserve at safety this season will be senior Will Harris. Like Pinkard, Harris has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, and last season was his first real chance to see significant action. He totaled 38 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and three pass deflections in 2008 (six total tackles in his previous three years).

At 6-1 210 pounds, Harris is one of the best athletes in the secondary. His combination of speed (4.4) and leaping ability (40 inch vertical) will serve him well this season, and he also has the ability to play cornerback (started his career as CB). Harris demonstrated that he’s capable of performing in pressure situations, stepping in as a starter at strong safety last season while Kevin Ellison was injured.

The Covina (CA) native will be Pinkard’s main backup at strong safety.

Other players competing for time are: freshmen Patrick Hall, Jawanza Starling, Byron Moore, T.J. McDonald, and Torin Harris, sophomores Drew McAllister, and Daniel Harper, and junior Marshall Jones.

My Take

Is there a better secondary anywhere in the country? On paper, it doesn’t seem like there could be. Not even Aaron Corp and Matt Barkley can solve these guys, and they see them everyday.

Pete Carroll and Rocky Seto always find something that needs improving, but it has to be hard with this unit. If USC finishes outside the top 10 in pass defense, assume that numerous injuries have mounted.

It all starts with Taylor Mays, who I believe is the best defensive player in the country. I know what you’re going to say SEC fans, and yes, Tennessee’s Eric Berry is incredible. But Mays doesn’t need 12 interceptions and 500 INT return yards to be a better player. If I am starting a college team, Taylor Mays is the first defensive player that I take because of the frightening affect his presence has on opposing offenses.

Having a veteran like Pinkard at strong safety ensures that the last line of defense in the Trojans D is also the strongest.

At corner, Thomas should carry the momentum of 2008 into this season, and I look for a breakout final year for him. Wright may actually be the best CB on the roster, and as mentioned before, he may be matched up against number one wideouts for most of the season.

From there, the plethora of young defensive back talent is never ending, so expect contributions from a variety of underclassmen.

Along with offensive line, this secondary should be SC’s strongest unit in 2009.

For folks in Corvallis, the current DB situation may bring back memories of 2005 when a group of inexperienced players were attempting to offset the losses of all-league performers Mitch Meeuwsen, Brandon Browner and Aric Williams.

It’s hard to forget CB’s Keenan Lewis and Brandon Hughes suffering through that Louisville game in ‘05 where they gave up 428 passing yards as wide-eyed freshmen. But four years later, Lewis and Hughes are gone, and they exited OSU as two NFL-ready corners looking to make an impact on Sundays.

Now, highly respected defensive coordinator Mark Banker must start the process over again, although this group is primarily made up of upper-classmen. The unit could take its fair share of hits in 2009, but there is enough talent in place at both cornerback and safety to ensure a serviceable season at the third level.

Tim Clark defends the pass

Cornerback

The featured member of the new-look defensive backfield is senior Tim Clark. Clark has the most experience of any DB on the roster, playing in all 26 games over the last two seasons (six career starts), and he finished 2008 with 17 tackles and three pass breakups while serving as a key member of the Beavers corner rotation.

Many remember Clark as the cornerback that called out former Cal superstar WR DeSean Jackson right before his first start at corner. He was matched up with Jackson that week, and surprised everyone by shutting down the prolific Bears wideout as the Beavers went on to defeat #2 Cal in Berkeley. The supremely confident Clark will now enter the spotlight as a full-time starter.

At 6-0 180 pounds, Clark is an extremely aggressive defender who is always looking to get inside the opposition’s head. He has tremendous speed, as his 4.40 40 time was tops among all Beaver players (including James Rodgers). He shows good instincts, and can smother a receiver with his tenacity, but more than anything, Clark is hungry for this opportunity.

The Compton (CA) native has been sharp this fall, and he will be counted on as the shutdown corner and leader of the secondary.

Junior James Dockery and senior Patrick Henderson are engaged in a close competition for the second spot opposite Clark.

Big things were expected from Dockery in 2008, but a severe knee injury derailed his entire season. After an off-season of hard work and dedication, he is back in contention for a starting cornerback spot.

At 6-1 180 pounds, Dockery possesses excellent size and strength, which should allow him to match up with bigger receivers in the Pac-10 this year. His physical style is especially valuable in Mark Banker’s press-coverage scheme, which requires a lot of jamming from CBs at the line of scrimmage.

Although Dockery is short on experience (12 career tackles), he understands the game as well as any player in the secondary. The intuitive junior is also a great teammate, who makes everyone around him better because of his willingness to teach.

Dockery has made nice progress since his injury, making a number of great defensive plays in fall camp, but also giving up a few. While a starter has yet to be determined, the La Quinta (CA) native will be a big contributor this season.

Patrick Henderson trails only Clark in the experience department. He has played in 40 games, but mostly on special teams. Last season, Henderson made six tackles and one interception as a backup corner, while also serving as a kick return man (along with James Rodgers). He totaled 281 yards on 10 returns (28 yards per return).

At 5-10 187 pounds, Henderson is a fantastic athlete with fluid hips and good burst. He has solid speed (4.5), and should be able to cover some of the quicker receivers in the conference.  The Oakland (CA) native’s role as a reserve corner has been limited (only 18 career tackles), but he has the tools to make his senior year a memorable one.

If fall camp is any indication, Henderson has a slight lead for the starting spot over Dockery, as he has taken a few more reps with the first team lately. Nonetheless, the competition is not likely to end until the season opener, so he must continue to improve.

The most intriguing option at corner may be sophomore Brandon Hardin. At 6-2 210 pounds, Hardin provides OSU with a physically imposing athlete who has spent time at safety. Like Dockery, Hardin should excel in the man-press scheme with his tremendous combination of size, strength, and deceptive speed.

The Honolulu (HI) native was a standout on special teams in 2008, but only logged thirteen tackles for the year as a backup DB. He has a great chance to be a difference maker for the Beavers in 2009.

Safeties

Replacing Al Afalava at strong safety will be junior Suaesi Tuimaunei. Tuimaunei started two games last season, making 15 tackles on the season. Although he only has 21 career tackles, his brief experience as a starter should serve him well.

At 6-1 205 pounds, Tuimaunei has the size to be an effective run-stopping presence at SS, and he will provide the secondary with a sure-tackler who loves to hit. He also possesses great athleticism, as he was a standout high-school sprinter.

The Laie (HI) native has essentially locked up a starting spot, and he will be a critical piece of the secondary in 2009.

Sophomore Lance Mitchell will assume the role of starting free safety. Mitchell played sparingly as a reserve last season, making 11 tackles and contributing primarily on special teams.

At 6-2 205 pounds, Mitchell is an outstanding athlete with keen instincts. He has a knack for baiting quarterbacks and exciting closing speed. Both qualities will be valuable assets for Banker’s defense. His excellent ball skills should allow him to thrive in Greg Laybourn’s old position.

Mitchell’s biggest problem is experience, but he has a very high ceiling, and could become a mainstay in this Beaver defensive backfield if he continues to progress. The Pasadena (CA) native is nursing a hamstring injury, and has been held out of fall practice lately as a precaution, but the injury is not serious.

Sophomore Cameron Collins will be a key reserve at safety in 2009. At 6-2 220 pounds, he is the most physically impressive of the safeties. Collins still has a lot of developing to do, but his combination of speed, size, and range is exciting. He is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker who explodes into the ball carrier. Collins is versatile enough to fill running lanes in the box, as well as seamlessly drop back into coverage.

He still has plenty of upside, and could be a force at safety with a little more experience. The Santa Monica (CA) native has been held out of fall practice lately because of injury, but like Mitchell, he should be ready for the season opener.

Other players competing for time are: freshmen Josh LaGrone, Sean Martin, Keynan Parker, Rashaad Reynolds, Zeke Sanders, Anthony Watkins, Brian Watkins, Jordan Poyer, Kaua Olds, Levi Levasa, Dax Dilbeck, and sophomore David Ross.

My Take

Losing four productive starters is never easy, no matter the program, but it’s especially difficult to replace two four-year starting corners with NFL skills. Lewis and Hughes accounted for a combined 88 starts, 282 tackles, and nine interceptions; so Beaver fans have a right to feel anxious about this season’s unit.

In previous Beaver articles I have made it clear how I feel about Mike Riley, and that’s why I’m not too worried about this group. For my money, Riley is one of the best talent developers in America, and I expect he and Mark Banker to be successful again this year.

Therefore, while I have my concerns about this defensive backfield, I expect the unit to be productive.

Clark has shutdown potential, and I believe he will rise to the occasion this season. The key will be who joins him as a starter. The battle between Henderson and Dockery is still too close to call, so uncertainty remains at that spot. I actually like Hardin more than either of them because of his size, but he still has learning to do at CB.

At safety, Tuimaunei’s speed will be a nice addition at SS, but I am especially high on Mitchell. He has a chance to be a special playmaker if he can master the mental side of the game.

Even with four new starters, look for Oregon State to have a solid year at the third level.

But for ASU to fulfill high expectations on defense, the secondary must perform as well as the first and second level. The unit has a few questions, and answers may not come until a week three match up in Athens, GA against the Georgia Bulldogs.

While cornerback should be fine, uncertainty exists concerning the safeties. Still, the Devils have plenty of talented candidates at both FS and SS, and head coach Dennis Erickson has expressed confidence in up to six players for the two spots.

Omar Bolden lands a big hit

Cornerback

Leading the way for the corners will be junior Omar Bolden. Bolden has become a mainstay at the cornerback position for ASU, starting in 21 straight games since his freshman year in 2007.

Last season, he finished fifth on the team with 49 tackles, while also adding seven pass-breakups and two interceptions. Two years ago, Bolden enjoyed an excellent true freshman campaign, finishing with 33 tackles, six pass-breakups and one interception (returned for TD), on his way to Freshman All-American Honors.

At 5-10 195 pounds, Bolden is a spectacular athlete with elite speed (4.3) and natural playmaking instincts. At times, his off-the-charts athleticism has made him overaggressive, resulting in big plays for both teams. Bolden was Dennis Erickson’s first signature recruit, and he chose ASU on the last day of the signing period over USC. Rivals and Scout.com gave him 4-star recognition after his stellar prep career at Colony High School (CA).

Bolden experienced a bit of a sophomore slump in 2008, and he must regain his Freshman All-American form in order for this ASU secondary to succeed. He missed spring ball with a shoulder injury, but he has recovered nicely during the fall. The Ontario (CA) native has all the tools to be a shutdown cover-corner, and he enters the 2009 season as a key defensive player for Arizona State.

Joining Bolden as another ingrained starter in the defensive backfield is senior Terell Carr. Last season was Carr’s first with ASU, and his debut was a great success. Carr started nine games at CB in 2008, and finished the season with 46 tackles (sixth on team), three tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and one interception.

Like Bolden, the 5-9 177-pound Carr possesses explosive speed (4.35), and a strong argument could be made that he was the most consistent corner on the team last year. Scout.com gave him 4-stars, and he was rated as the #3 J.C. corner in the 2008 class after an excellent career at Pasadena City College (CA).

Carr has enjoyed a solid off-season, especially in the last two weeks of fall camp, and he enters the 2009 season as a virtual lock to start.

The third seasoned cornerback in the Sun Devils secondary is senior Pierre Singfield. The former walk-on from Pima Community College (AZ) was named a starter at the beginning of the 2008 season before losing his job to Carr midway through the year. He finished with 22 tackles, two pass-breakups, and one tackle for loss last year.

At 5-11 196 pounds, Singfield is always in good position to make a play, and he has a phenomenal work ethic. Defensive coordinator Craig Bray and DB’s coach Greg Burns have praised Singfield for his consistency during the off-season, and he was even listed ahead of Bolden on the depth chart (which has a lot to do with the time Bolden missed due to injury). Singfield does not possess the same dynamic skill-set that other ASU CB’s have, but he also makes the fewest mental errors.

While Carr was the unit’s most consistent corner last season, Singfield may have been the most impressive DB during the off-season. He has made enough plays to seriously challenge for starting time, but even as a reserve, the Green Valley (AZ) native should play extensively. His error-free style and superb cover-skills will be counted on in 2009.

Safeties

Ryan McFoy creates havoc in the backfield

There has been a lot of shuffling at the safety position, but senior Ryan McFoy may have an edge on the starting strong safety spot because of his experience (albeit it at linebacker and nickel back).

McFoy started his ASU career in the secondary as a true freshman (totaled 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, one sack in 2006) but has spent the last two years at outside linebacker. Last season, he made 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble as an OLB reserve. Now, he returns to his original role in the defensive backfield for his final season in Tempe.

At 6-1 209 pounds, McFoy possesses good size, solid speed (4.48) and tremendous ball skills. He is a natural fit for strong safety, with great run-stopping ability as well as the athleticism to drop back in coverage. The Chino (CA) native has looked sharp during the fall, and is a slight favorite for the starting SS spot.

Currently atop the depth chart at free safety is sophomore Clint Floyd. Floyd will have the difficult task of replacing Troy Nolan, one of the best at the position for ASU in years (128 tackles, 10 interceptions, five touchdowns in two years). Last season, Floyd played in eight games (two starts) and recorded seven tackles and one forced fumble.

At 5-10 198 pounds, Floyd is one of the best overall athletes on the Sun Devils roster. His excellent speed (4.4) gives the Devils a dimension at FS that even Nolan couldn’t provide, and his ball skills are also exceptional (ball skills may originate from his prolific receiving career at Crenshaw High School (CA)). Floyd is still low on experience, but he has looked great during spring and fall. The Los Angeles (CA) native will be pushed for the starting job, but he appears game.

Two other players that could challenge for starting spots are redshirt freshman Keelan Johnson and senior Jarrell Holman.

The 6-0 199 pound Johnson has come on very strong during the fall, making several interceptions and demonstrating exciting range in coverage by using his outstanding speed (4.41). He has the physical tools to help on run support as well, giving the unit another safety that can be used in the box.

Johnson originally committed to Nebraska before deciding ASU was a better fit. The Mesa (AZ) native has been pushing McFoy hard at strong safety, and should figure into nickel packages even if he doesn’t win the job.

The 6-0 200 pound Holman played sparingly last season, totaling 10 tackles in 12 games. Like many of the Sun Devil DB’s, he has excellent speed (4.4). Holman wowed the coaches during spring ball, and rose to second on the depth chart at free safety.

Now, as fall camp continues, the former junior college transfer (Phoenix College) from North Las Vegas (NV) trails Floyd by a narrow margin, and he is sill in the hunt for the starting FS spot. Holman has also shown enough versatility to play strong safety, and he could factor in there as well depending on injuries.

Other players competing for playing time are: freshmen Matthew Tucker, Shane McCullen, and Deveron Carr, sophomores Josh Jordan and Jonathan Clark, and juniors Max Tabach, and LeQuan Lewis.

My Take

This Arizona State secondary is the only real question mark for Craig Bray’s defense. If the unit holds it’s own in 2009, I think the Devils D could be in for a special season.

While the safeties lack experience, they are the fastest group that ASU has had in a while. All four potential starters have legitimate 4.4 speed, and I expect Bray to utilize that speed in creative blitz packages. McFoy has prototypical size and strength for a strong safety, while Floyd has the quickness and range to excel as a free safety. However, neither one of them have locked down starting jobs, as both Johnson and Holman could still come out of camp on top.

As for cornerback, I believe the ASU defensive backfield will live or die by the season that Omar Bolden has. If he struggles (like last year) look out for a frustrating year at the third level, but if he flourishes (like two years ago) then so will the rest of the unit. Carr and Singfield give the secondary two more proven commodities, so the pieces are in place for a successful campaign for these CBs.

As mentioned before, we won’t know anything about this secondary until they play Georgia in week three (first two games are against Idaho State, UL Monore). I look at that game as a litmus test for where this group stands.

While the Devils front seven has already established an identity, look for the secondary to find it’s own in 2009.

Unfortunately, the pass defense production was greatly influenced by the effortless ease with which opponents ran the ball last season. After all, the Cougars run defense ranked dead last in America, giving up over 247 yards per game (including allowing over 300 yards in seven games).

This season, the Wazzu secondary will look to prove that it can stop the pass even when opponents are throwing the ball 25+ times a game. Co-defensive coordinators Chris Ball and Jody Sears have done a lot of shuffling within the unit (for a variety of reasons), but the defensive backfield does have some promising pieces in place.

While depth will be an issue at cornerback, safety should be one of the strengths of the entire defense (along with linebacker).

Xavier Hicks prepares for the coming season

Cornerback

Earlier this off-season, cornerback appeared to be one of the deepest positions on the team, but unforeseen circumstances have greatly impacted the rotation. Two potential starters at cornerback, Devin Giles and Romeo Pellum, were dismissed from the team by head coach Paul Wulff. As a result, playing time will be available for a slew of young players who are looking to make an impact early in their careers.

Sophomore Aire Justin is firmly in the mix for a starting spot this season. Last year, Justin played extensively in nine games (six starts), totaling 20 tackles and three pass breakups. Justin was also used on the kick return team (45 yards on three returns), and could get a chance as a return man again this season. His successful debut with WSU landed him post-season honors, as Rivals.com named him to the Pac 10 All-Freshman team.

At 5-11 156 pounds, Justin still has a lot of physical developing to do, but his quickness and covering skills make him a valuable asset to the secondary. The Van Nuys (CA) native will be an essential part of the defense next season, and could become a mainstay at corner for the Cougars.

The most exciting new addition to the defensive backfield is junior Brandon Jones. Jones sat out last season after transferring from Cal. He is the second Bear to join the Cougars, along with RB James Montgomery. Like Montgomery, Jones should immediately contribute this season, as he is a virtual lock for a starting spot. In his last season with Cal (2007), he played in 12 games and recorded nine tackles.

At 5-9 178 pounds, Jones is a bit undersized, but possesses great speed (4.42) and strength as well as excellent quickness. Jones greatest asset may be his fundamentally sound technique, and he will be one of WSU’s most polished corners this season.

The Seattle (WA) native was a PrepStar All-American while at O’Dea High School, and Rivals.com ranked him as the 28th best defensive back of the 2006 class. He played exceptionally well during the spring, and has looked good in fall camp.

The corner making the most noise right now is redshirt freshman Daniel Simmons. Simmons has been a pleasant surprise for WSU since his emergence during spring ball, and he is having arguably the best fall camp of any secondary player.

Simmons physical maturation in the last year has been remarkable. His strength and speed have increased dramatically, and he possesses some of the best footwork on the team. The 5-10 187 pound freshman redshirted last season, so experience is his biggest weakness as the season approaches. Nonetheless, the WSU coaches are excited about the potential impact that he could have this year.

The Ontario (CA) native has been so good this fall that he is currently ahead of Justin on the depth chart. While it is still unclear whether Simmons will be a full-time starter, he should see plenty of action in 2009.

Safeties

Senior Xavier Hicks will lead the way for the dependable safeties. Last season, Hicks finished second on the team with 78 tackles, and also contributed five pass breakups and two interceptions.

Hicks has been through a lot in his five years at WSU, and his well-documented troubles off the field (five separate arrests during his career) have often overshadowed his solid play on the field.

At 6-0 211 pounds, Hicks has a knack for making huge hits. His aggressive style can lead to big plays for both teams, but a receiver must think twice before heading his direction.

The Fullerton (CA) native looks set for a big year at strong safety, and the Cougar defense will need him to continue his attacking style in 2009.

Chima Nwachukwu follows the ball

Hicks partner at safety will be junior Chima Nwachukwu. Last season, Nwachukwu played in all 13 games (seven starts) and finished fourth on the team with 57 tackles, while also contributing one interception and two pass breakups. As a freshman in 2007, he started all 12 games at cornerback and made 73 tackles on his way to Freshman All-Pac 10 honors.

Along with his great play on the field, Nwachukwu was voted to the Pac-10’s All-Academic first team last season, maintaining a 4.0 GPA for the year.

At 5-11 201 pounds, Nwachukwu is a versatile defender with great athleticism and keen instincts. The Allen (TX) native possesses solid speed (sub-4.5) and good range in coverage, while also displaying capable run-stopping skills. Wazzu coaches may play him at corner as well as free safety this season because of his adaptable skill set.

Sophomore Tyree Toomer will also factor into the defensive back rotation in 2009. Toomer is yet another Cougar DB that has experienced trouble off the field, but he seems to be back on track. He appeared in all 13 games last season, finishing with 34 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks.

At 5-11 194 pounds, Toomer brings good speed (4.45) to the safety position. He could become a force on the blitz, especially if he continues to add strength and bulk. The Bellflower (CA) native is listed behind Hicks on the dept chart at strong safety, but he will see the field quite a bit even as a backup.

Other players competing for time are: Juniors Anthony Houston and Shane Thomas, sophomore Eric Block, and freshmen Terrence Hayward, Nolan Washington, Anthony Carpenter, Jay Matthews, LeAndre Daniels, and Kyle McCartney.

My Take

Next to linebacker and running back, this secondary looks like the most promising unit on the team. On paper, there is enough talent at the third level to surprise pass-happy offenses (Non-conference games against SMU and Hawaii should provide reasonable tests early in the season).

The safety tandem of Hicks and Nwachukwu provides Wazzu with a pair of proven playmakers in the back four. I especially like the multi-talented Nwachukwu, who has the size of a safety and the quickness of a corner. He may play both places this season.

As for the starting corners, I think Cougar fans will be happy to have Brandon Jones. He may not get the same notoriety that James Montgomery gets, but he is a valuable piece of this rebuilding CB rotation. I also like the competition between Justin and Simmons at the other spot, as it will only make the team better.

While we all know that this defense will continue to struggle, I like the foundation that is being built in the secondary. Look for continued development on the Palouse in 2009.

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.

Two starters return again this season, along with an abundance of exciting new talent at both cornerback and safety. Defensive minded head coach Mike Stoops and his brother Mark (defensive coordinator and secondary coach) have put together a unit that is loaded with elite athletes. Opposing offenses will not find much room through the air against these ‘Cats, as this secondary looks like the strength of an already impressive defense.

Cornerbacks

The marquis performer of UA’s explosive secondary is senior corner Devin Ross. Ross made the post-Cason transition quite easy for Arizona, as he locked down almost every number one receiver he faced throughout 2008. He finished with 50 tackles, 13 pass breakups, and three interceptions on his way to being named second team All-Pac 10.

Devin Ross running at practice

At 5-11 175 pounds, Ross is a spectacular athlete with great closing speed (4.4) and nice fluidity when he changes direction. He possesses some of the best ball skills of any cornerback in the conference, making him a game-changing athlete that quarterbacks must be wary of. Last season against Cal, Ross picked off a Nate Longshore pass during the third quarter of a tight 28-27 contest and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown. The Wildcats went on to win 42-27.

The Rancho Cucamonga (CA) native was one of Mike Stoops signature recruits in 2006 (Rivals and Scout 4-star prospect), and he will be counted on to finish his career with another excellent season. Ross has looked great during fall camp, and should challenge for all-conference honors again in 2009.

Sophomore Trevin Wade will start opposite Ross this season. Wade enjoyed a superb redshirt freshman campaign, finishing with a team-high four interceptions as a reserve (sixth in Pac-10). He also made 12 tackles and had three pass breakups on the year.

At 5-11 182 pounds, Wade is built similarly to Ross and possesses comparable athleticism. He is always looking for the ball, and has the range to cover a ton of ground in a hurry. Offenses may test him frequently this season, as opposing quarterbacks will likely hesitate to attack Ross. Nonetheless, the highly skilled sophomore proved last season that throwing the ball his way is a bad idea.

Wade enjoyed a great off-season, which allowed him to claim ownership of the number two corner spot. The Round Rock (TX) native should be the feature CB once Ross graduates, so big things are expected out of him in his first full season as a starter.

Another solid corner that should see plenty of action is junior Mike Turner. Turner was suspended for the entire 2008 season because of team rule violations. The last time he played for the Wildcats was at wide receiver in 2007, and his skill set will be a great value at defensive back.

Turner has excellent speed (4.4), reliable hands, and an understanding of a wideout’s tendencies. He was another gem of Stoops 2006 recruiting class (along with Ross), as Rivals.com gave him a 4-star rating. The Manteca (CA) native has been especially sharp at Arizona’s fall camp, and he will be a primary contributor at corner in 2009.

Safeties

Cam Nelson stops the ball carrier in his tracks

Besides Ross, the other stalwart in the ‘Zona secondary is senior Cam Nelson. Nelson has played in 37 games for UA, and he’s started 25 games in a row. The reliable veteran enjoyed an excellent 2008 campaign, totaling 67 tackles (team-high among returning players), three tackles for loss, and five pass breakups. He will now make a move to free safety, after spending most of his career as a strong safety.

At 6-1 202 pounds, Nelson is a powerful hitter who has a versatile skill set. He is adept at stopping the run as well as playing the pass in coverage. While his move to FS may limit the amount of time he spends close to the line, Nelson should still be involved in pressure packages.

The Dallas (TX) native is one of the team leaders, and Coach Stoops selected him to be his player representative at Pac-10 Media Day. Nelson should be the anchor of the defense in 2009, and has looked solid as a rock during fall.

Taking over Nelson’s old position of strong safety will be exciting sophomore Robert Golden. Tucson has been buzzing about Golden since his arrival at UA, and there is a growing contingent that believes he could become the next great Wildcat DB.

As a true freshman in 2008, Golden logged time at cornerback and contributed on special teams. He finished with 13 tackles and gained valuable experience in the process. After switching positions, Golden will now enter the spotlight as a starter.

At 5-11 190 pounds, he is an elite athlete who does everything well. Golden has the speed and quickness of a corner, while also possessing the physicality of an imposing safety. Although he has mediocre size, he’s developed a reputation for being a frightening hitter who can lay anyone out at anytime. Golden is smooth in coverage and has excellent quickness, which should allow him to break on plenty of passes this season.

The Fresno (CA) native was one of the prized recruits of the 2008 class, as he garnered 4-star recognition from Rivals.com, and 5-stars from Scout.com. Golden will be a featured part of the Arizona defense, and should be used in a variety of ways in 2009.

More recently, another heralded recruit decided to join the Wildcats. True freshman Adam Hall fielded offers from around the country, and was recruited as both a receiver and defensive back. His commitment was a major coup for the program, and the defense in particular.

At 6-4 205 pounds, Hall is an electrifying athlete, as well as a true student of the game. He still lacks technique defensively, but has as much upside as any player on the roster. For a player his size he possesses excellent straight-line speed (4.5) and impressive leaping ability (38 inch vertical). Rivals and Scout.com gave him 4-star recognition, and he was also a Parade All-American.

Hall played in the Army-All-American game this past year, showing off a varied skill set on both sides of the ball. He has enormous potential as a safety or even outside linebacker, and may be too good to redshirt this season even with all the depth at safety.

Other players competing for time are: seniors Anthony Wilcox, and Brandon Tatum, juniors Marcus Benjamin (CB enjoying very good fall), Joe Perkins, and Trevor Foster, and freshmen Mark Watley, and Derrick Rainey.

My Take

Every year it seems like the Arizona defensive backs are among the most athletic in America, and this group is good even by their standards. The Stoops brothers have plenty of talent at their disposal; so another productive year seems inevitable.

It all starts with Ross who has next-level ability, and a knack for playing his best when it matters most. He’s as pure a cover-corner as there is in the Pac-10, and should continue to flourish.

Offenses will therefore throw at Wade, right? Well, he’s no slouch either. In fact, he’s a ball-hawk who loves to bait quarterbacks. The one-two punch at corner for UA is quite potent, so pick your poison opposing QBs.

As good as the corners look, safety may be the strength of the secondary. Nelson will provide the steadiness, while Golden will supply the fireworks. Throw in blue-chip freshman Adam Hall, and the UA pass defense may actually improve on 14th nationally in 2009.

Overall, expect this stingy ‘Cats secondary to be as good as advertised this season.

Blame for these pitiful statistics can be placed a lot of places, but the secondary should certainly be near the top of the list. Both the cornerbacks and safeties were exposed, and while sheer talent may have been lacking, there also seemed to be no confidence or continuity within the unit.

Fortunately, the exciting regime change at U-Dub has breathed new life into a program searching for answers. The coaching change is especially welcome on defense, where new coordinator Nick Holt has already changed the culture with more intensity during practice.

He may need to do his best coaching job yet in the secondary (along with DB coaches Demetrice Martin and Jeff Mills), but Washington has the right staff for the job.

Quinton Richardson defends a pass

Cornerbacks

One of the few Huskies that will be assured a starting spot in the secondary is sophomore Quinton Richardson. Last season, Richardson started 11 of UW’s 12 games at cornerback, totaling 32 tackles, eight pass breakups, one interception, and 1.5 tackles for loss. He also returned 18 kickoffs for 352 yards.

At 6-0 203 pounds, Richardson has a lot of size for a corner. He was an all-state linebacker in high school, and many believed safety would be a natural fit for him at Washington. At times, Richardson struggled with assignments and technique last season, but after a year of learning the cornerback position he should be much more comfortable in 2009.

Richardson is a fantastic athlete with great speed, and he will be a valuable asset against opposing receivers that are big and physical. He should flourish in press coverage as well, as he has great strength and the wheels to recover if he is beaten at the line. The Renton (WA) native has looked good for the entire off-season, and he will be counted on as the clear number one corner this season.

While there are a number of candidates for the number two spot, no one has truly emerged from the pack. Coaches were high on J.C. transfer Dominique Gaisie, but he was recently ruled academically ineligible.

Redshirt freshman Justin Glenn had an excellent spring, and could become Richardson’s partner if he performs similarly this fall. At 5-11 185 pounds, Glenn possesses a traditional cornerback build, and is extremely instinctive for a freshman. He is not a burner (4.5), but does possess great quickness and change of direction. The Mukilteo (WA) native will have a chance to secure the two spot at CB if he continues to play well at camp.

Experienced junior Matt Mosley will also be in the mix this season. Last season, he played in 10 of 12 games and started three, finishing with 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble while also returning kicks (7 returns for 178 yards).

Like Richardson, Mosley was inconsistent last season, but he possesses the tools to be a starter for UW. At 5-10 182 pounds, he has the speed and agility to adequately cover one on one, and wraps the ball carrier up well. The Chandler (AZ) native is firmly in the running for a starting role opposite Richardson.

Another experienced option at corner is junior Vonzell McDowell. McDowell has played in 19 games over the past two seasons, with four starts. For his career, he has 32 tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception. At 5-9 180 pounds, McDowell is a tough, gritty corner with good speed and better quickness. He was inconsistent last season and during the spring, but his experience will greatly aid the secondary.

Safeties

Nate Williams dives out to make the tackle

One of the few positives from 2008 was the play of junior safety Nate Williams. Last season Williams finished second on the team with 76 tackles, and added five pass breakups, one interception, and one forced fumble on his way to honorable mention All-Pac-10.

At 6-0 221 pounds, Williams is a reliable presence at strong safety with good size, speed, and instincts. More than anything, he loves to hit and will make a receiver think twice about challenging his side of the field.

The Renton (WA) native must now become a teacher to the younger DBs, as he needs a lot more help this season. Williams has played well early in fall camp, but may be limited in order to get the other players plenty of reps (and keep him from aggravating a nagging knee injury).

The lack of depth at running back prompted Coach Steve Sarkisian to move sophomore Johri Fogerson from safety back to his original position of tailback. He was considered to be a co-starter at free safety, but the coaching staff is happy with the amount of depth at FS.

The slight leader for the free safety job is redshirt freshman Greg Walker. Walker impressed during his redshirt year, earning Defensive Scout Squad MVP, and was also tremendous during spring practice this year. At 5-10 197 pounds, Walker plays extremely physical, and like Williams, he loves to hit. The Bellflower (CA) native will need to continue to impress coaches during the fall, but he is currently atop the depth chart.

Also in contention for the free safety spot is senior Jason Wells.  Wells brings proven experience to the Husky secondary, starting games in 2006 and 2007 at safety, but he missed the entirety of last year with a knee injury (received a medical redshirt).

For his career, Wells has 66 tackles, three pass deflections and one interception. At 6-2 214 pounds, he has good size and range for the position, but his health remains a concern since he has missed so much time during his UW career. The La Verne (CA) native has looked sharp during fall camp so far, and his presence in the lineup will be very important this season.

Junior Victor Aiyewa will provide depth as strong safety. Aiyewa is an outstanding overall athlete, but like Wells, he has been injury-prone. Last season Aiyewa played in only four games, making 17 total tackles. At 6-1 206 pounds, he possesses a good combination of size and speed, as well as solid fundamentals. Aiyewa has a nose for the football, and takes great pursuit angles when tracking the ball carrier. The Fresno (TX) native will be a key reserve in the secondary.

Junior College (El Camino College, CA) transfer David Batts may be involved heavily as a nickel back and backup safety. At 6-1 200 pounds, Batts has impressed early in fall camp and his athleticism should drastically help the secondary. The Compton (CA) native was given 4-star recognition by Rivals.com, and rated as the number 38 Juco prospect in the country last year.

Other corners and safeties competing for time are: freshmen Anthony Gobern, Adam Long, Desmond Trufant (brother of Marcus, has not been cleared by NCAA yet), Will Shamburger, and Nate Fellner, sophomores Marquis Persley and Alvin Logan, and senior Tripper Johnson.

My Take

I want to say everything will be better this season at the third level; but I can’t. This Husky secondary still has a ton of questions, and I haven’t seen many of them answered yet.

While the unit has looked good in fall camp over the last week, the off-season as a whole has been disappointing. No one has really stepped up and taken hold of the second corner spot opposite Richardson, and the loss of Dominique Gaisie was especially disappointing given the speed he would have brought to CB.

Having said that, there is still time for Nick Holt to work his magic. It helps to have one safety spot locked down, as I expect Nate Williams will have another fantastic season. Richardson may still need some work, but he has the tools to be a very good corner in the Pac-10. I also like the depth at free safety, with Walker, Wells, and Aiyewa all capable of contributing.

The addition of 4-star J.C. talent David Batts may be a key this season, and he is being mentioned as a possible nickel back as well as a backup safety.

If players like Glenn, Mosley and McDowell can be serviceable corners, everything may come together.

I trust that Holt and secondary coaches Demetrice Martin and Jeff Mills will get this unit where it needs to be, but it will take time. U-Dub fans must stay patient while the DBs continue to go through growing pains, because eventually these Dawgs should turn the corner.

With a sturdy defensive line led by All-American Brian Price, and arguably the best linebacking corps in the conference, this promising secondary could make UCLA’s defense downright frightening for opposing offenses in 2009.

The Bruins defensive backfield played very well last season, finishing 8th nationally in pass defense. Although the unit lost two starters to graduation (CB Michael Norris and S Bret Lockett), many believe the DB’s could be even better this season.

The group is led by an All-American cornerback looking to finish off his tremendous career in style.

Alterraun Verner returning an interception for a TD

Cornerbacks

Decorated senior Alterraun Verner returns for his final year at UCLA. The fourth-year starter is one of the Pac-10’s best players, and a true shutdown-corner. Last season, Verner led the nation in passes defended (18 deflections, 2 interceptions for 20 total PDs), and finished second on the team with 73 tackles on his way to second-team All-Pac-10 honors.

Verner has ended each of his previous three seasons with some form of post-season honors (freshman All-American in 2006, honorable mention All-Conference in ’07, second team All-Conference in ’08). Recently, he was named to the ESPN.com pre-season All-American team, as well as being named to watch lists for the Bednarik (Top Defensive Player) and Thorpe (Top Defensive Back) Awards.

Verner has also drawn high praise in the classroom. The math/applied science major was voted first-team Pac-10 All-Academic for the last two seasons.

At 5-11 180 pounds, Verner uses a potent combination of speed and agility to smother an opposing receiver. But it is his vision and intuition that separate Verner as one of the nation’s most polished corners. He plays with great technique when pressing a receiver at the line, and his zone cover recognition skills are also very good.

The cerebral senior is rarely caught out of position, and has enough recovery speed in case it ever does happen. He is also a dangerous playmaker once he gets the ball in his hands with three of his eight career interceptions resulting in touchdown returns.

Verner is the only upper-classmen in the cornerback rotation, and he will therefore be counted on to mentor a developing group. This past spring, his teammates voted him as one of the Bruins team captains. The Carson (CA) native has looked sharp in fall camp so far, and appears primed for an outstanding last season in Westwood.

With most teams throwing away from Verner in 2009, redshirt freshman Aaron Hester will need to be ready for a lot of action.

Last season, Hester spent time learning the defensive system, and after an impressive spring, he has claimed ownership of a starting spot.

At 6-1 203 pounds, Hester is one of the most naturally gifted defensive backs on the roster. His technique still needs work, but his upside is undeniable. Hester has excellent size for a corner, while also possessing very good speed (4.43). He would make an ideal press corner because of his tenacious and physical style, and could also be an asset in run support.

Like Verner, Hester breaks on the ball very well and can cover space in a hurry.

He also has the bloodlines to succeed, as his brother is Chicago Bears and former Miami Hurricanes standout Devin Hester. Rivals and Scout.com rated the Compton (CA) native as a 4-star prospect during his prolific prep career at Dominguez High School.

Hester has looked spectacular in fall camp, and he enters 2009 as a potential breakout performer on the UCLA defense.

The most experienced corner besides Verner has only played for one season and it’s sophomore Courtney Viney. Last season, Viney played mostly as a nickel back and finished with 17 tackles while also contributing on special teams. Two years ago, he was the Scout Team Player of the Year.

At 5-8 160 pounds, Viney is small even by cornerback standards, but he plays with aggressive determination and never stops coming. Coaches have praised Viney for his competitiveness and work ethic. He has tremendous leaping ability, and the quickness to cover an opposing team’s speediest receiver. Viney is also a surprisingly good tackler with deceptive strength. The Fresno (CA) native was given four-star recognition from Scout.com while he was at Edison High School.

Viney enters the season as a key part of the cornerback rotation.

Two true freshmen corners that have looked outstanding in fall camp are Sheldon Price and Marlon Pollard.

The 6-2 163 pound Price has a long frame and should put on considerably more weight during his career. He has wasted little time impressing the coaches, and could become a pivotal part of the defensive backfield as the season progresses.

Price provides the Bruins with another corner (along with Hester) that can cover taller receivers. The Chino Hills (CA) product was given 4-star recognition by Rivals.com, and was a PrepStar All-American selection while at Bishop Amat High School.

The 6-0 158 pound Pollard also has a lot of physical developing to do, but he has been very impressive this fall. He is an explosive athlete with great ball skills and also possesses excellent quickness. Rivals and Scout.com rated him as a 4-star prospect, and he was also a PrepStar All-American selection. The San Bernardino (CA) native could factor in for the Bruins as a nickel back and on special teams.

Safeties

Rahim Moore celebrates an interception

The starter at free safety will be sophomore Rahim Moore. Moore arrived at UCLA with high expectations and he didn’t disappoint totaling 60 tackles (4th on team) and three interceptions (tied for first on team) as a true freshman starter for all 12 games.

At 6-1 197 pounds, Moore is a true playmaker at safety, combining great size with elite speed (4.4). He can close space down quickly, and understands when to break on the ball. More than anything, Moore is a versatile athlete, who can disrupt an offense with his cover skills, run-stopping ability, and instinctive timing.

Moore was named to multiple Freshman All-American teams, and should compete for Pac-10 honors this season. The Los Angeles (CA) native was rated as a 5-star prospect by Scout.com and has lived up to the billing thus far. Moore could conceivably hold onto the free safety spot for his entire career at UCLA.

The strong safety spot is wide open, but sophomore Glenn Love has been working with the first team during the fall. Last season, Love played as a reserve making 23 tackles and contributing on special teams. With a year of experience under his belt, he now enters the spotlight at SS.

At 6-4 210 pounds, Love has linebacker size and defensive back fluidity in his movement. His ball skills are outstanding and he also has great leaping ability. He may need to work on staying lower though, as that is always a concern for a taller defender.

The Chandler (AZ) native is the slight leader for the starting role at this point in fall camp.

The other option at strong safety is sophomore Tony Dye. Last season, Dye played as a primary nickel back in 11 games, making 15 tackles on the year. At 5-11 199 pounds, Dye does not possess ideal size for a safety, but he makes up for it with his coverage ability and physical tenacity.

The Corona (CA) native was given 4-star recognition by both Rivals and Scout.com, and was selected to play in the Under Armor All-America game during his prep career at Santiago High School (CA).

Other players competing for time are: freshmen Brandon Sermons, Stan McKay, Andrew Abbott, Alex Mascarenas, and senior Aaron Ware.

My Take

This UCLA defense really could be special if everything comes together. There doesn’t seem to be a weakness anywhere, and my only hope is that the D isn’t overworked like last year (that part is up to you, Bruin Offense).

Kudos to Rick Neuheisel for putting a lot of this talented secondary together in two years of recruiting; his efforts are already paying off big time.

Having said that, I’m sure Neuheisel is happy to have No.1 (Alterraun Verner) around for one more season. Verner is the consummate student-athlete, and a great role model for the underclassmen. I expect him to close out his excellent career with another productive season, and he will be in the discussion for post-season awards (Thorpe, Bednarik) all year long.

I am also excited to see Hester, especially since the ball will probably be coming his way a lot this season. He does not lack confidence and his skill set is tremendous, so now it’s time to see if he’s ready.

At safety, Moore is on the verge of becoming a star in the conference. His freshman season was very impressive considering he was the first Bruin rookie to start all 12 games since CB Matt Ware in ’01. I think Moore will be better this season, and he should contend for all-conference honors. The battle at strongside may go on for a little while, but both Love and Dye are capable.

Overall, expect the inexperienced new starters to make a few mistakes early, but by midseason this Bruins secondary should soar.