Tigers rebuilding depleted secondary
Creating depth a top priority
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There has been a different look to the University of Memphis secondary this spring. Wholesale changes have that effect.
Cornerback Bobby McCain, a four-year starter, completed his eligibility last season and turned his attention, and training, to being taken in the NFL Draft later this month.
Cornerback Andrew Gaines, who started the past 23 games at the cornerback spot opposite McCain, finished his Tiger career in the Miami Beach Bowl in December, as did strong safety Fritz Etienne, who started each game last season.
Finding replacements has been a priority for Tiger coach Justin Fuente and new defensive coordinator Galen Scott.
At safety, Fuente said Reggis Ball, Chris Morley, Dion Witty and DaShaughn Terry have rotated through both safety positions. Ball was a starter last year at free safety. Terry was the defensive back who secured the U of M’s thrilling bowl victory over Brigham Young with an interception in the second overtime that ended the game.
“We’re not particularly deep there right now,” Fuente said. “So we’ve had to kind of create some depth there.”
At cornerback, Chauncey Lanier and Dontrell Nelson have moved into contention to handle the vacancies left by McCain and Gaines.
“Chauncey has gotten in there and had a good spring,” Fuente said. “He has stepped up and made some strides,” Fuente said. “Dontrell is the one guy who has had the most game experience and he has been solid.”
Fuente said several of the other cornerbacks have been benefiting from the increased repetitions, too. He said Ty Northern, a member of the 2014 recruiting class, has improved, too. He is playing cor-
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“We felt like, athletically and size-wise, he had a chance to play there,” Scott said.
In addition to Lanier and Nelson, Scott said Jamil Collins has been a pleasant spring surprise.
“They are all working hard,” Scott said. “We have some young guys who are stepping up.
“Chauncey Lanier has stepped up and really improved a lot and Jamil Collins has really improved a lot. And we’ve needed them to.”
Collins, a rising redshirt sophomore from Olive Branch High, has quickly adjusted to a heavier workload.
“He is by far the most improved,” Scott said. “I’ve been impressed by how he’s grown.”
Nelson has had a productive spring and has shown the ability to be a playmaker, much like McCain. Nelson, a rising junior, backed up McCain last season and played in all but the season opener.
In the win at Tulane, Nelson returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown. He was one of three Tigers to score on interceptions and his TD was the longest of the returns.
“Dontrell is the best we have,” Scott said. “He played a little last year, but he has to keep improving. He has to become a dominant guy. There can be no ‘I’ll try to do it.’ He has to do it.”