A Glance at the Lumberjack Defense
8/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 8, 2008
NACOGDOCHES - Similar to the offense, the Lumberjack defense will be under the watchful eye of new defensive coordinator David Gibbs in 2008. Gibbs' return to Nacogdoches should be made easier by the return of some talented athletes on the defensive side of the ball. SFA will be led by budding stars Tim Knicky and Jabara Williams.
Knicky finished fourth on the team last year with 60 tackles, but led the team, and was among the league leaders in tackles for losses (15) and sacks (4). Knicky will anchor a defensive line that returns three starters from last season. Junior Andre Hicks started four games in 2007, and recorded 29 tackles, including 7.5 for losses. He will be expected to lock down the other defensive end spot opposite Knicky. Sophomores Greg Carlson and Rainey Sternes should also push for playing time at the position.
Junior Kendall Jernigan and sophomore Kenneth Charles broke spring camp as the starters on the defensive line. Jernigan is a powerful lineman who finished the season with 15 tackles, including 2.5 for losses. Charles had an impressive rookie season fighting his way into the defensive line rotation during his first year on campus. A former walkon, Charles finished the year recording 18 stops including one sack. The 'Jacks' defensive front will also receive help from sophomores Greg Carlson and Rainey Sternes and redshirt freshman Gordon Booker. Former tight ends Andy Anderson and Broderick Gaffney should also see plenty of playing time on the defensive front.
Williams proved himself as one of the most durable athletes in the country last year starting three games at both linebacker and running back. He finished the year with 58 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, one fumble forced and one fumble recovery. Fans should be able to expect bigger numbers from the Garrison, Texas, native in '08 now that he will be able to concentrate totally on the defensive side of the ball. Williams will be joined by sophomore Nolan Loflin and Terrance Nurse who enter preseason camp as the other two starting linebackers. Nurse had a breakout rookie season finishing fifth on the team with 60 total tackles, including 23 solo stops. He was also among the team leaders with 7.5 tackles for losses. A stronger Nurse, with a full year of college experience under his belt, should provide a huge lift to the SFA defense.
Loflin is a former walkon who was forced into early playing time due to the 'Jacks' injury situation in 2007. Loflin took advantage of the opportunity fighting his way into more playing time as the season wore on.
Senior Brian Ford will also figure into the mix at linebacker. Expected to battle for a starting position heading into the 2007 season, Ford was injured in the season opener and was never able to get back to full strength. Despite the injury Ford recorded 13 stops in six games.
A strong signing class, along with the transfer of Joe Savoie from the offensive side of the ball to the defense, should give SFA a strong core of players at linebacker.
The 'Jacks' secondary should also be stronger this season. SFA returns the core of its athletes from a squad that finished the season among the league's best. Led by sophomore Chad Haynes, who recorded a team-high 67 tackles, the SFA secondary finished second in the conference in pass defense despite its overwhelming youth.
The return of Haynes, along with junior Cory Barlow and sophomore Chris Elliott should give the 'Jacks a foundation that it can build off of for the next couple of years. Throw into that mix sophomore Jeremy Claybon who switched from quarterback to the secondary for the 2007 season finale, and Lumberjack fans should have something to smile about as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Barlow has been impressive during preseason workouts flying around the field, and making plays. Claybon appears to have made a smooth transition to the 'Jacks' secondary, and should become stronger at the position with more experience.
The Lumberjacks kickoff the 2008 campaign Saturday, Aug. 30, against Langston. The game against the Lions is slated to begin at 6 p.m. from Homer Bryce Stadium.
-SFA-
