A Look at the 2009 Defensive Backs
9/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 4, 2009
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - One area on the field that has provided the SFA coaching staff optimism about the upcoming season has been the secondary. With the influx of a few transfers, the addition of some very talented freshman, and with the returners having another year of experience under the belts the Lumberjack secondary should be vastly improved in 2009.
"We were fortunate to bring in some very talented individuals on signing day at the junior college level as well as the high school level," said secondary coach Arlington Nunn. "We've also been fortunate enough to add some (FBS) transfers, and that, along with the returning talent, has really added to our depth and experience. We are really expecting big things from these guys.
"When you practice something enough eventually you're going to become confident in what you do. They are confident in their abilities. Every time the ball is up in the air they believe it belongs to them. That is the kind of attitude I want in my defensive backs," added Nunn.
In the team's two scrimmages, the Lumberjack secondary held the offense's explosive passing attack in check. The first-team defense held the SFA signal callers to a 34-of-66 (.515) performance for 377 yards and only two touchdowns, while recording three interceptions. Those numbers include holding preseason honorable mention All-American quarterback Jeremy Moses to a 15-of-31 (.484) performance for 121 yards and two interceptions in the first scrimmage of the fall.
The 'Jacks early depth chart has junior Chad Haynes and senior Cory Barlow at the safety positions, while junior college transfer Andre Banks and true freshman Josh Aubrey will be the corners.
Barlow has played in 31 games during his career, earning 16 starts. He has recorded 152 career tackles during his time in a purple and white uniform, which includes 4.5 tackles for losses. He has one interception, and has been credited with three forced fumbles during his time in Nacogdoches.
"Barlow is a real athletic guy, who is known as a big hitter," said Nunn. "He is also one of the faster guys on the squad, who has the ability to get up in the air. All of those attributes, along with the fact that he likes to hit, provide us with an intimidating presence in the secondary."
Haynes busted onto the scene in 2007 where he played in all 11 games, earning six starts, and led the team in tackles. Haynes enters his junior campaign with 150 career stops and 10 pass breakups.
"Haynes biggest strength may be the fact that he knows the defense better than anyone," said Nunn. "He is a very savvy football player who has a lot of games under his belt now. It's like having a coach on the field when he's playing. The one area that he has worked all summer on is improving his hands. When we get an opportunity at an interception, you want to take advantage of that, and Chad has worked hard to improve in that area."
Two new faces that have caused quite a bit of excitement in the SFA secondary are junior college transfer Andre Banks and true freshman Josh Aubrey. Banks (6-3, 212 lbs.) is an Austin native, who makes his way to Nacogdoches after a successful stop at Navarro Junior College, while Josh is an East Texas prospect from Tyler Lee High School.
Banks is an imposing figure who brings great size and speed to the position. His presence in the secondary during the spring seemed to bring an added swagger to the SFA defensive backs that had been missing before. Banks, along with the addition of some freshman have only added to that confidence during preseason camp.
"Oddly enough, Andre wasn't a defensive back at Navarro," said Nunn. "He was a receiver. We went back and watched some high school tape of him, and I was fortunate enough to watch him practice, see how he interacted with the guys on the field and how he ran his routes. I really felt like he could make the switch to the defensive side of the ball, and apparently so did he.
"Andre is a very determined kid. He will be successful in life because he works real hard at everything he does. In his classes, he gives his professors everything he has, and that carries over onto the field," added Nunn.
A two-time all-district selection, Aubrey was considered one of the top defensive backs in the state of Texas earning TSWA all-state and All-East Texas honors. He also helped lead Tyler Lee to a district championship during his prep career.
"It's not easy for a guy to walk in during his freshman season and win a starting job," said Nunn. "Just coming in here and accepting the challenge of trying to beat out someone who has been starting for a couple of years is tough, but Josh is very mature for age.
"During practice he doesn't look for an incoming freshman receiver to work against. He wants square off with the seniors like Aaron Rhea and Duane Brooks. He is real aggressive. Josh believes if goes up against the best it will make him better," added Nunn.
Now there may come a time where SFA fans think they are seeing double in the Lumberjack secondary. This shouldn't concern fans because it's true. Josh's twin brother, Jordan, is also a member of the Lumberjack secondary. Jordan (5-10, 190 lbs.) is currently listed second on the depth chart at safety, and is expected to see plenty of playing time during his rookie season.
"Both Aubrey brothers bring a lot of speed to the secondary, but they each bring unique styles to the field," said Nunn. "Jordan has come in and done a great job as well, and has earned a spot on the depth chart. Despite their youth, both Josh and Jordan are fearless on the field."
Another newcomer to the Lumberjack lineup that is expected to see plenty of playing time this season is Delano King. A 6-0, 185-pound transfer from Citrus College, King is listed second on the depth chart behind Barlow.
Jerrel Barnett returns for his third season in the Lumberjack secondary. Barnett has recorded 102 tackles, and four interceptions in his two seasons at SFA. He is currently listed as Banks' backup at corner, while Baylor transfer Michael Williams (6-0/175 lbs.) will back up Josh at the other corner position.
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