OU 2010 Super Early Preview: Defensive Backs

OU has lost their two starting cornerbacks but seems to have game ready replacements for those positions, but that reshuffling will open a spot at safety instead it would appear. OU's finally restocked their secondary positions to a nice degree, and has an excellent class of players enrolling as well.

Cornerbacks:

OU loses both Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson from last year with Brian Jackson having as good a year as an OU CB no named Derrick Strait. You'd think that this would be the biggest question for OU's defense next year, but OU appears to have excellent replacements lined up. Demontre Hurst played for Franks in the Sun Bowl when Franks moved to Jackson's spot and had an excellent game. In fact, Hurst has looked like a future star all fall. At the other spot, Jonathan Nelson looks like he will get the first shot after his excellent year at safety. Nelson took over the starting safety spot from Sam Proctor and OU's defense really took off. Nelson who is now up to 190 could be an excellent replacement for Brian Jackson. OU's finally appears to have some depth at CB with Jamell Fleming fighting for playing time, the ability to move Marcus Trice to CB as well. In addition, OU has two bigger CBs in Lamar Harris and we will get to see OU's best CB recruit in a while in Gabe Lynn who redshirted. Also, OU is bringing 3 plays who could see time at CB in James Haynes, Aaron Colvin, and finally Julian Wilson. I would expect OU to redshirt at least two of those players but DBs are also the heart of great special teams play and OU plays so many 4 WRs looks these days it's important to establish depth at CB.

Projected Depth Chart:

Field CB: 1) Jonathan Nelson 5-11, 190 Sr  2) Gabe Lynn 6-0, 190 Fr  3) Lamar Harris 6-1, 185  Soph

Boundary CB:  1) Demontre Hurst 5-9, 175 Soph  2) Jamell Fleming 5-11, 185 Jr  3) Marcus Trice 5-8, 175 Soph

Redshirting:  1) James Haynes 6-1, 180  Fr  2) Aaron Colvin 6-0, 180  3) Julian Wilson 6-1, 180

Safety:

OU will move Nelson to CB creating a gap at Safety to go along with returning starter Quinton Carter. Carter had an excellent first year as a starter making the kind of center field plays you want from your safety. He did a good job with coverage and in run support. Who lines up with him at safety is a great question. Clearly if someone steps up big time at CB, OU can simply shift Jonathan Nelson back and OU will have a veteran duo at safety. Presuming Nelson is not available, the candidates list is long with no real favorites at this time. There's the previous starter in Sam Proctor who lost the position due to coverage issues. There's the two blue chip rookies. Kevin Brent redshirted last year but has the kind of coverage and run support game that would be ideal at the safety spot. If not Brent, Tony Jefferson enrolled early and is also an ideal player for this position with his outstanding physical play and overall speed. Javon Harris played some last year and would seem to be in the rotation if a potential move to RB does not happen. Finally, there's frequent doghouse member Desmond Jackson who last spring due to some injuries seemed poise to challenge for a starting job. OU tends to view their NB as a safety, but I think that an extra CB will be used depending upon how Brent resolves his LB dilemma so I'm going with Trice the perfect spread anti-slot WR nickel CB or 3^rd team CB in Fleming.

Projected Depth Chart

FS:  1) Quinton Carter 6-1, 193 Sr   2) Kevin Brent 5-11, 195 Fr  3) Desmond Jackson 5-11, 190 Jr

SS:  1) Sam Proctor 6-0, 210 Jr   2) Tony Jefferson 6-0, 195 Fr  3) Javon Harris 6-0, 190 Soph

NB:  1) Jamell Fleming  5-11, 185 Jr   2)Marcus Trice 5-8, 180 Soph

Redshirting: 1)Quentin Hayes 6-1, 185

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