Big South DBs 2013

[bjtheflamesfan]

As we enter the final days leading up to the kickoff of the 2013 season for two Big South teams on Thursday night (Presbyterian and Liberty), we look at the final defensive position group, the defensive backs:

Charleston Southern

Elijah Lee 70 Tackles (37 Solo) 1 INT 2012 Big South All Conference Second Team
Malcolm Jackson 37 Tackles (27 Solo) 3.0 TFL
Matt Hardy 32 Tackles (23 Solo) 4.0 TFL 1.0 Sacksl

CSU lost one of their best DBs ever in Charles James to graduation (now fighting for a roster spot with the New York Giants in the NFL), but Elijah Lee is more than up to the task of leading the way along with senior Matt Hardy. Jackson stepped right in as a freshman and will also be looked to for more contribution in 2013. Lee will probably get the #1 assignment when CSU opens against The Citadel on Saturday

Coastal Carolina

LaDarius Hawthorne 65 Tackles (40 Solo) 2.5 TFL 1.0 Sacks 3 INT
Johnnie Houston 53 Tackles (31 Solo) 5.5 TFL 2.0 Sacks 2 INT
Tyler McCarthy 51 Tackles (28 Solo) 1.0 TFL

Hawthorne steps up to replace outstanding DB Dontavais Johnson, who finished on the All Big South second team in 2012 replacing current Carolina Panther Josh Norman. Houston has quietly been a very good opposite DB in the past, and both will lead a group very light on seniors (Marcellus Hunter is the only returner from last year) and will no doubt be tested throughout the year, especially in Lynchburg October 19 and in the finale against South Carolina

Gardner-Webb

Drew White 33 Tackles (21 Solo) 1.0 TFL 1 INT
Brandon Swayze 29 Tackles (17 Solo) 1.0 TFL
Tiko Thompson 23 Tackles (17 Solo) 4.0 TFL

G-W lost a few playmakers to graduation in the defensive backfield, including standout Gianno Olivas, but redshirt sophomore Ivan Toomer will be one to watch for this bunch and I would not be surprised to see him get the #1 assignment when the Runnin Bulldogs open this weekend at home aganst Furman.

Liberty

Walt Aikens 51 Tackles (39 Solo) 1 INT 2012 Big South All Conference Second Team
Kenny Scott 48 Tackles (37 Solo) 4.0 TFL
Jacob Hagen 46 Tackles (36 Solo) 4.5 TFL 1 INT

Aikens leads probably the top returning unit in the defensive backfield from 2012, despite the loss of physical leader Brent Vinson. Aikens, who was recently named to the Senior Bowl Watch List, along with Scott and Hagen (Aikens, Scott and Hagen does sound like a law firm doesnt it?) plus 2011 All American Kevin Fogg (returning from a foot injury that kept him out most of 2012) should make for a very stout group of leaders in the back line for the Flames.

Presbyterian

Cedric Byrd 57 Tackles (41 Solo) 1.0 TFL
Cory White 53 Tackles (30 Solo) 1.0 TFL 1 INT
Ed Britt 33 Tackles (21 Solo) 1.5 TFL

Byrd and White lead a very young secondary for the Blue Hose, with 12 players listed as a redshirt sophomore or younger on the roster. one of those 12, Ed Britt, was a solid contributor as a true freshman, finishing 10th on the team in tackles.

VMI

James Fruehan 76 Tackles (54 Solo) 3.0 TFL 0.5 Sacks
Adam Morgan 74 Tackles (27 Solo) 1.0 TFL 2 INT
Mike Smith 31 Tackles (15 Solo) 1.5 TFL 3 INT

Morgan, a converted QB, leads the way along with Fruehan and Smith, who led the team in INT last season, at the helm of the second youngest unit in the Big South, with 11 players listed as a redshirt sophomore or younger on the roster, so the trip will have to make quite a few plays as the younger players find their way, and they will have to do so quickly with the Keydets opening at Richmond on Saturday.

Rankings

Team

1. Liberty
2. (tie) Charleston Southern
2. (tie) Coastal Carolina
4. VMI
5. Gardner-Webb
6. Presbyterian

Individual

1. Walt Aikens, Liberty
2. LaDarius Hawthorne, CCU
3. Kevin Fogg, Liberty
4. Adam Morgan, VMI
5. Johnnie Houston, CCU
6. Elijah Lee, CSU
7. James Fruehan, VMI
8. Cedric Byrd, PC
9. Drew White, G-W
10. Malcolm Jackson, CSU

[keydet21]

BJ, Adam Morgan (VMI) graduated last season. I think Caleb Furlow may be the new starter.