Woods Leads a Secondary Lacking Experience Into 2016

It has been a while since I put the pen to paper for BleedTechBlue.com, but just like Bulldog football, I am back. Today, we continue the positional previews by taking a look at what the Bulldogs have in the secondary.

First with the safeties and then move to the corners. Let's go.

Louisiana Tech's best player on defense would be Xavier Woods and he is the only returning starter for the Bulldogs in the secondary. He finds himself in an immediate leadership position on and off the field which for him is a lead by example leadership style.

The senior safety recorded 37 solo tackles in 2015, 7.5 of which were for a loss. He also managed to nab 3 interceptions and force 2 fumbles, good enough to be honored with a spot on the 2016 Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski watch lists. These lists recognize the players with the potential to win the awards for best defensive back and best all-around defensive player in the nation, respectively. While its an understatement to say Woods is a long-shot for either, the recognition is a testament to Woods’ capability as a defensive back, not just for the Bulldogs, but any team.

The real fans (and anyone who was sitting in the south endzone of Davis-Wade stadium last October) know what Woods brings; the casual fans won’t find themselves mumbling expletives under their breath at him. Let’s move on.

If Woods is the only certainty, who replaces Kentrell Brice? Could it be Junior, Secdrick Cooper? The Archbishop Shaw product has plenty of experience. He saw action in all 13 games last year recording 23 tackles (12 solo) and 1.5 tackles for a loss.

In high school, he lettered in both football and basketball and was named the team’s MVP his senior season with over 70 total tackles and 5 interceptions. His talent, athleticism, and nose for the ball carrier is without question, but Cooper will have to prove himself in coverage come camp time. The spot next to Woods is wide open.

The favorite to replace Brice is Damarion King. During the spring he showed the ability to run, cover and recognize run quickly. He was a December JUCO graduate. The spring was invaluable for King.

Theron Williams returns as a sophomore to help solidify the safety corps. He played in 9 games last year with minimal impact after an injury in fall camp slowed a very impressive start for the youngster. The door is wide open for Williams to contribute this season and build toward a hopefully successful Junior and Senior campaign.

Before we put a close on the safeties, let’s note the presence of Lloyd Grogan as the weak side inside linebacker or safety down in the box. Grogan has played plenty of safety in his days with the 'Dogs and could provide further stability with his presence on the field whether as a line backer or safety.

It's not a Tech season preview if we are not talking about transfers. The first of the cornerbacks is Houston Baptist transfer, Prince Sam. Sam is one of only a few experienced corners on a team that just lost Bryson Abraham and Adairius Barnes giving him tons of value. He also passes the eye test at 6 feet 2 inches, a very attractive size for a traditionally diminutive position.

During his two seasons at Houston Baptist, he started every game and recorded 40 total tackles (29 solo). We will know more after camp, but it would be hard to say Sam is not a candidate to start on September 3rd in Fayetteville.

Jerrell Jackson, a transfer from former WAC rival Hawaii (but a native of Haynesville, his last name is Jackson after all), has only played one season (2014). He sat out last year due to NCAA transfer rules and has extremely limited experience playing with even less at the cornerback position.

In 2014, Jackson appeared in only 3 games for the Warriors as a defensive back and recorded one tackle on the season. However, this is not to say Jackson cannot be a significant piece for the Dogs.

During his high school years, Jackson earned all-district honors while playing quarterback, safety, and receiver. He also was the MVP of the Class 1A state title game his senior season along with being selected as an all-state (wait for it) defensive back. So Jackson does know the position, just not at this level.

With a good camp, there is a chance he could be an important player. However, the sample sizes, right now, are too small or nonexistent to tell.

Another transfer, Ronald Lewis (Arizona State), finds himself in a similar situation to Jarrell Jackson. Lewis has only played one season, 11 of 13 games in 2014. He recorded 2 catches for 12 yards as a receiver (hence the transfer). He was redshirted in 2013 and sat out last season, alongside Jackson, due to NCAA regulations.

There is really only room for speculation as Lewis, not only has never played corner in college, but hasn’t played on the defensive side of the ball at an elite level of any kind. In high school he flipped from quarterback to receiver, a testament to his athleticism. However, this is the story for so many tweener players that make it to the college game. With simply no evidence to support, do not bet on Lewis as a starter. Maybe camp will change that.

Roland Dunn is somewhat of a familiar name among the Tech die hards as he returns for his Junior season. He has more experience at this level than any of the transfers mentioned before (18 games over the last two seasons) with minimal production. Given the chance, Dunn could become an important player.

He collected over 80 tackles in his high school career at Evangel Academy, along with 8 interceptions, one of which was a state record 106-yard return for a touchdown. Sounds like lightning in a bottle (cough Bryson cough Abraham).

Realistically, Dunn is a guy to solidify the corps, play the outside, play some nickel, and do whatever is asked of him.

The first of three sophomores returning at corner for the Bulldogs, Ephraim Kitchen is not unlike the transfers mentioned before. After an injury shortened his Freshman season he comes into 2016 with extremely limited experience (sensing a theme?). If the spring is any indication he may very well be Tech's best cover corner.

In high school he managed to grab 14 interceptions (5 were pick sixes) over his 3 varsity seasons, a sign of good ball skills and agility. He was also given the award for defensive back of the year in the state of Mississippi.

Unlike some of the other guys, Kitchen is a DB through and through. Maybe that gives him an edge, but there really is no way to tell.

Aaron Roberson had some extremely bright moments and some dull moments last season as a Freshman. Roberson played in 10 games last year for the Dogs and managed to swipe 18 solo tackles along with an interception vs. ULL and a forced fumble vs. Arkansas State en route to Tech’s second consecutive bowl win. I see that experience as being valuable in this group. Roberson could remain a starter candidate through the conclusion of camp.

Rounding out the secondary is Trey Spencer. He fits right in with his his fellow sophomores Kitchen and Roberson as a viable option with limited experience. Like Roberson, he appeared in 10 games last season and managed 8 solo tackles.

It doesn’t take a literature professor to uncover the theme here; Tech’s DBs are young and inexperienced, especially on the outside. A star or two could step up, giving birth to a turnover producing, point scoring machine; or players could revolve through the proverbial door over the course of what will be a grueling season of football.

Tech's secondary may not be a strength on paper nor does it seem like a weakness but have the potential to be either. The jury is still out.