The 2011 USF Primer: Secondary

Quenton Washington and company lead a talented secondary into the 2011 season looking for a Big East title.

This 2011 Primer continues as we take a look at the last defensive unit (offense coming next week), the secondary. The Bulls are loaded with stars and tons of leadership in the secondary. The team is loaded and it could be one of the strongest units on the team. [keep reading]

Secondary

The secondary may be the strongest unit for the Bulls. USF returns several players with senior leadership, but also has a strong group of young players that contributed last season that will play a key role for the Bulls defense this season.

Projected Starters: Coming out of Spring, senior Quenton Washington, the 5-10 190-pound star gives the Bulls a solid, veteran presence on the corner. Washington had 59 tackles last season, including 1 interception. He is a very physical player that can jam opposing receivers well and keep up with them downfield. Lining up at left corner is the 5-11 193-pound junior Kayvon Webster. Webster finished last season with 29 tackles, including 1 tackle for loss. Webster is one of the Bulls fastest player in the secondary and has been showcasing his speed on the track this off season. While the numbers don’t reflect it, he is one of the best cover corners in the Big East and I will personally label him a lock down corner. Both Webster and Washington make up a dynamic group of defensive backs that will make life hard in the Big East all season.

The Bulls also have several talented safeties as well that will help anchor the secondary and provide help on the offensive line as well in run support. Senior Jerrell Young, the 6-1 208-pound star from St. Petersburg is one of the more versatile players for the Bulls. He finished last season with 41 tackles, including 1.5 for loss. He also had 3 interceptions and 3 pass break ups, showing his ability to drop back in coverage as well. Lining up at strong safety is 5-11 201-pound Jon Lejiste. Lejiste is one of the most punishing hitters in the Bulls lineup, delivering pain in the backfield to both quarterbacks and running backs. He finished 2010 with 43 tackles, including 7.5 for loss, 4 sacks, he also had 1 interception as well.

Projected Top Reserves: 5-11 180-pound junior George Baker is one of the top reserves at cornerback, even though he missed some of the Spring with a foot issue. He played in 12 games last season, recording 12 tackles and 1 interception. 5-10 173-pound sophomore Ricardo Dixon missed most of the Spring due to a nagging back injury that has limited his playing time since he enrolled at USF. Dixon should be healthy for the season starts and will be a vital member. He had 8 tackles last season. Walk-on Ernie Tabuteau, the 5-10 181-pound junior, made an impact this Spring and found his way on the roster. 5-10 175-pound transfer Spencer Boyd is listed at wide receiver on the USF roster right now, but is moving back to cornerback. He is a very skilled player and should see plenty of playing time this season as well.

The Bulls also have tremendous depth at safety entering the season. 5-10 200-pound Mark Joyce played extensively last season, finishing the year with 33 tackles and 1 interception, including the first tackle of the 2010 season. 6-2 186-pound JaQuez Jenkins is another rising star that got plenty of playing time last season, finishing 2010 with 10 tackles and 1 interception, giving the Bulls a pair of young safeties that both have tons of playing experience already and give Mark Snyder great depth and versatility in the secondary. 5-11 203-pound Tyson Butler appeared at safety on the final spring roster. Butler finished last season with 6 tackles and will factor in as well.

There is also 5-9 175-pound freshman cornerback Zach Fisher (Stuart, Florida), 5-10 180-pound senior cornerback Sherief Hussien (Tampa, Florida), 5-11 201-pound junior Andrew Laughery (Delray Beach, Florida), 5-11 185-pound safety Thanasi Mihalakos (Jacksonville, Florida), 6-foot 195-pound sophomore cornerback Patrice Pierre (Kissimmee, Florida), 6-foot 166-pound sophomore cornerback Brandon Salinas, and 6-foot 195-pound sophomore cornerback Allen Singleton (Ocala, Florida) who will all battle for playing time and a chance to get onto the field.

The Bulls also recruited several young star players that will get into the mix and try to get onto the field in their first year, something Coach Holtz is not afraid to do. Cornerback Kenneth Durden, the 6-1 170-pound star out of Valdosta, Georgia, Chris Garye Jr. the 6-3 202-pound safety out of Tallahassee, Florida, and cornerback Corian Hamilton, the 6-2 210-pound playmaker out of Orlando, Florida will all battle to get onto the field this season (note that Hamitlon has been rumored to move to linebacker much like Cliett did last season).

Watch Out For: Youth movement to continue. While the Bulls have senior leadership, it will be the depth of the younger players, such as Dixon, Joyce, and Jenkins to get onto the field and give the Bulls a solid defense and help keep the secondary fresh and making plays for the entire season.

Strength: Senior leaders. The Bulls have veteran leadership at all positions, meaning each player has been through a full season and will be able to guide the younger players and lead on the field as well with their ability to make plays.

Weakness: Cornerback depth. The Bulls have questions after Webster and Washington on the depth chart. There are health concerns with Dixon, Butler, and Baker. The new recruits will get a chance to to play and get substantial playing time if they are needed.

Outlook: The secondary should be one of the best defensive units for the Bulls. They have a load of senior leadership and a strong group of young, experienced players that made their mark last season and should continue to progress this season as well.

Rating: 8.5