Football Position Previews: Defensive Backs
8/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Youth or inexperience seem to be the prevail themes surrounding this year's version of the Liberty Flames, with the next generation of football players ready to step out of the shadows and charge the gridiron.
However, the Flames last line of defense is an exception to the rule, as Liberty returns experience to its defensive backfield in 2009. During today's Countdown to Kickoff segment, we will preview the position that is led by three seniors and a pair of Big South preseason all-conference honorees.
Defensive Backs
The theme of experience on the defensive side of the field continued when head coach Danny Rocco was previewing his team, punctuated by three seniors who are slated to start in the defensive backfield.
Leading the way are a pair of preseason Big South all-conference selections in Chris Rocco and Tim Torrence. "In the secondary, we've got two seniors that we are really excited about in Chris Rocco and Tim Torrence," stated Liberty's head coach.
Rocco had an outstanding season in 2008, finishing second on the squad with 78 tackles, after coming into his junior year with a combined 28 stops during his first two years on the field. He tied for the team lead with seven pass breakups and managed to force three fumbles, a figure which was tied for the fourth best single-season mark in program history.
Torrence posted impressive numbers of his own, giving Liberty three defensive backs among the team's Top 6 tacklers, as the cornerback finished the year with 48 stops. He was also tied for third on the team with six tackles for a loss.
Joining Rocco and Torrence in the projected starting spots in the backfield are returning senior Donald Manns and redshirt sophomore Larry Claiborne.
Manns sat out the 2008 season after suffering a year-ending injury during August training camp. During his most recent year of competition, the projected starting left cornerback recorded 19 stops in 2007.
The lone youngster among this group is Claiborne, who finished his redshirt freshman year with 19 tackles and three pass breakups, while seeing playing time in all 12 games.
"The safety position right now is going to be Chris Rocco and Larry Claiborne," stated Rocco. "But, we have a number of guys who we think can offer some legitimate depth backing them up."
Leading that talented pool of contenders are Brandon Robinson and Kajuan Lee, who both had solid years during their first season on the field in 2008. Robinson finished the season with 14 tackles, seven solo and seven assisted, to go along with three pass breakups, while Lee followed closely behind with eight tackles, five of which were solo.
"The corner position looks like it is going to be Donald Manns and Tim Torrence," projected Rocco. "We've got great competition with Kajuan Lee and Brandon Robinson. But once again, we've got depth and competition to be able to make some decisions come this August."
Defensive Backs at a Glance
Front Runners
LCB - Donald Manns (Sr., 5-10, 180)
LS - Chris Rocco (Sr., 5-10, 200)
RS - Larry Claiborne (R-So., 6-1, 180)
RCB - Tim Torrence (Sr., 5-8, 165)
Contenders
Omar Clark (R-So., 6-0, 185)
Kajuan Lee (R-So., 5-11, 180)
Chris McAlister (R-So., 6-1, 180)
Brandon Robinson (So., 6-1, 175)
Up-and-Comers
Jarrett Dixon (Fr., 5-11, 215)
D.J. Edmond (Fr., 6-2, 195)
Ron Hobby (R-Fr., 5-9, 170)
Brandon Knight (Fr., 5-10, 155)
Reggie Matthews (R-Fr., 6-0, 190)
Brent Vinson (Fr., 6-1, 195)
On the practice field today, the Flames had a chance to practice twice during their second day in full pads. Earlier this morning, Liberty worked out on the turf at Williams Stadium for roughly two hours. Later in the afternoon, the Flames were back on the practice field for a lighter workout in shells, which was shorten due to weather that rolled into the Central Virginia area.
Tomorrow, LibertyFlames.com's Countdown to Kickoff coverage returns to a look at the Big South with a preview of the Charleston Southern Buccaneers. On Thursday, the web site's live in-practice blog will return for the morning session of the Flames' two-a-day schedule.
However, the Flames last line of defense is an exception to the rule, as Liberty returns experience to its defensive backfield in 2009. During today's Countdown to Kickoff segment, we will preview the position that is led by three seniors and a pair of Big South preseason all-conference honorees.
Defensive Backs
The theme of experience on the defensive side of the field continued when head coach Danny Rocco was previewing his team, punctuated by three seniors who are slated to start in the defensive backfield.
Leading the way are a pair of preseason Big South all-conference selections in Chris Rocco and Tim Torrence. "In the secondary, we've got two seniors that we are really excited about in Chris Rocco and Tim Torrence," stated Liberty's head coach.
Rocco had an outstanding season in 2008, finishing second on the squad with 78 tackles, after coming into his junior year with a combined 28 stops during his first two years on the field. He tied for the team lead with seven pass breakups and managed to force three fumbles, a figure which was tied for the fourth best single-season mark in program history.
Torrence posted impressive numbers of his own, giving Liberty three defensive backs among the team's Top 6 tacklers, as the cornerback finished the year with 48 stops. He was also tied for third on the team with six tackles for a loss.
Joining Rocco and Torrence in the projected starting spots in the backfield are returning senior Donald Manns and redshirt sophomore Larry Claiborne.
Manns sat out the 2008 season after suffering a year-ending injury during August training camp. During his most recent year of competition, the projected starting left cornerback recorded 19 stops in 2007.
The lone youngster among this group is Claiborne, who finished his redshirt freshman year with 19 tackles and three pass breakups, while seeing playing time in all 12 games.
"The safety position right now is going to be Chris Rocco and Larry Claiborne," stated Rocco. "But, we have a number of guys who we think can offer some legitimate depth backing them up."
Leading that talented pool of contenders are Brandon Robinson and Kajuan Lee, who both had solid years during their first season on the field in 2008. Robinson finished the season with 14 tackles, seven solo and seven assisted, to go along with three pass breakups, while Lee followed closely behind with eight tackles, five of which were solo.
"The corner position looks like it is going to be Donald Manns and Tim Torrence," projected Rocco. "We've got great competition with Kajuan Lee and Brandon Robinson. But once again, we've got depth and competition to be able to make some decisions come this August."
Defensive Backs at a Glance
Front Runners
LCB - Donald Manns (Sr., 5-10, 180)
LS - Chris Rocco (Sr., 5-10, 200)
RS - Larry Claiborne (R-So., 6-1, 180)
RCB - Tim Torrence (Sr., 5-8, 165)
Contenders
Omar Clark (R-So., 6-0, 185)
Kajuan Lee (R-So., 5-11, 180)
Chris McAlister (R-So., 6-1, 180)
Brandon Robinson (So., 6-1, 175)
Up-and-Comers
Jarrett Dixon (Fr., 5-11, 215)
D.J. Edmond (Fr., 6-2, 195)
Ron Hobby (R-Fr., 5-9, 170)
Brandon Knight (Fr., 5-10, 155)
Reggie Matthews (R-Fr., 6-0, 190)
Brent Vinson (Fr., 6-1, 195)
On the practice field today, the Flames had a chance to practice twice during their second day in full pads. Earlier this morning, Liberty worked out on the turf at Williams Stadium for roughly two hours. Later in the afternoon, the Flames were back on the practice field for a lighter workout in shells, which was shorten due to weather that rolled into the Central Virginia area.
Tomorrow, LibertyFlames.com's Countdown to Kickoff coverage returns to a look at the Big South with a preview of the Charleston Southern Buccaneers. On Thursday, the web site's live in-practice blog will return for the morning session of the Flames' two-a-day schedule.
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Thursday, May 07
Get To Know Liberty Defensive End Michael Floyde
Thursday, April 30
Get To Know Liberty Linebacker Deuce Spurlock
Friday, April 24