Midshipmen restocking with young slotbacks
Navy has suffered significant losses at the slotback position since last season. Five of the six players listed on the depth chart for the Military Bowl are gone while the most productive slot from 2017 has been moved to quarterback.
Starters Josh Brown and Darryl Bonner along with backups John Brown III and Jahmaal Daniel all graduated while Reggie Hayes transferred. Meanwhile, Malcolm Perry, who rushed for 536 yards and four touchdowns in nine starts at slotback, is now Navy’s starting quarterback.
There was even turnover in terms of coaching with Joe DuPaix replacing Danny O’Rourke as the assistant overseeing slotbacks. O’Rourke, who directed the unit for seven seasons, is now working with the offensive tackles.
DuPaix i s no stranger to coaching slotbacks at Navy, having done so from 2008 through 2010. He departed Annapolis to serve as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Brigham Young University, but has returned eight years later and not missed a beat.
“I talked to some Navy slotbacks from back in the day, guys like Gee Gee Greene, and they all said Coach DuPaix is a great guy and a great coach,” senior slotback Tre Walker said. “I like Coach DuPaix a lot. He’s very passionate about what he does and is real good at focusing on the little things that make a difference.”
DuPaix arrived in time for spring practice and learned the slotback corps was without its two most experienced returning NAVY @HAWAII Saturday, 11 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network Radio: 1090 AM Line: Navy by 14 players. Both Walker and sophomore Keoni-Kordell Makekau sat out spring camp while recovering from offseason surgeries.
That may have been a blessing in disguise as it enabled DuPaix to give plenty of practice repetitions to some of the younger slotbacks being asked to restock the depth chart.
Walker and Makekau did not participate in full-contract drills throughout August training camp as a precaution, but have been fully cleared by doctors and are expected to play in Saturday’s season opener at Hawaii.
Walker was emerging as a real playmaker last September when he suffered a seasonending knee injury in Game 3 versus Cincinnati. The Texarkana, Texas, native started that particular game and was playing really well before going down.
Walker broke loose for a 74-yard touchdown on the first offensive play of the game, but it was called back due to a penalty. The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder still wound up with a career-high 68 yards rushing on six carries in that contest.
Walker, who had scored his first career touchdown in the season opener at Florida Atlantic, was injured while returning a kickoff in the second quarter against Cincinnati. He underwent reconstructive surgery and has worked hard to rehabilitate.
“It was pretty frustrating because I was starting to make some plays and do what the coaches expect me to do. It was tough not being able to go out there and help my teammates,” Walker said earlier this month. “I feel really good and I’m ready to get after it.”
DuPaix has been impressed by the way Walker has filled the void left by the departure of four seniors. “Tre brings great leadership to the room. He helps the young guys learn and grow. He’s stepped up and been that vocal leader,” he said.
As the lone senior on the depth chart, Walker has embraced the role of mentor. In Navy’s triple-option system, the slots are known as “A backs” and their mantra dating back to 2001 is “A’s make plays.”
“We did lose a lot, but we have plenty of players who can come in and perform. I see a bunch of guys stepping up and showing they are ready to play,” Walker said. “We definitely take the next-man-up mantra very seriously. When it’s your time to play you have to step up and do the job. I know a lot of plays are going to be made by the A backs this year.”
Makekau was a pleasant surprise as a plebe, displaying his athletic ability on special teams from the outset and steadily earning increased playing time at slot. The Hawaii native saw his first extensive action against Cincinnati after Walker was sidelined and responded with 33 yards on three pitchouts. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound speedster had his best game against Notre Dame, carrying seven times for 49 yards.
Makekau wound up playing in 12 of 13 games and averaged 6.4 yards on 16 attempts. The Ewa Beach resident displayed a penchant for making defenders miss and getting the edge. He has also been limited while rehabbing from an injury sustained during the Military Bowl.
“Keoni has a great look in his eye right now. He’s coming off a great freshman season and the way he’s working to get back on the field and contribute is really impressive,” DuPaix said. “It all starts with attitude and Keoni has a terrific outlook.”
Navy released an updated depth chart on Monday and there were no changes at slotback. Walker and Makekau remain the starters with junior Tazh Maloy and sophomore C.J. Williams as the backups. Junior Mason Plante and sophomore Myles Fells are listed No. 3.
“We have a bunch of guys who are really eager to get better. That’s what I love about this group. They’re all very hungry to improve every day. I don’t need to come in with some motivational ploy to get them going,” DuPaix said.