Fall practice primer 2013 – The secondary

We have good news and we have have bad news. So we’ll start with the bad news – Idaho has to replace three starters in the defensive backfield, one of whom is in an NFL training camp right now.

The good news is that the darkest days of the secondary is probably behind them. The numbers from last season speak for themselves — Idaho gave up 8.2 yards-per-pass attempt. That’s bad, and immediate improvement probably won’t happen early in the 2013 season.

What fall camp will do for Idaho is sort out what depth exists where and single out the young guys who defensive coordinator Ronnie Lee wants to take his lumps with early. A secondary forged by fire early in 2013 could pay dividends for the group late in the season and beyond.

It will start with returning sophomore cornerbacks Solomon Dixon and Jayshawn Jordan. Both standing at 5-foot-9, Jordan inserted himself into the picture in nickel and dime packages as a true freshman last season, while Dixon took on the challenge of covering outside receivers. Both should be heavily involved in competing for those respective spots.

Three new additions in fall camp will also play heavy roles in determining playing time. Junior college transfer Delency Parham will likely come in and fight for the No. 1 spot right away. The two freshmen, though, will be what makes it interesting. Idaho fought off Nevada and a few other mid-majors for 5-10 true freshman Armond Hawkins, who will bring his speed and cover skills to the competition. While coaches may want to see him build into the position a little more, the depth at the position will give him an opportunity to see snaps right away.

Also in the picture is true freshman Desmond Banks. His main attribute is his 6-foot-3 frame, size that Idaho sorely lacks with every other corner. The question with him will be is exactly where in the secondary he will play, since he could also develop into either of the safety positions.

The deep two will return starter Trey Williams (Sr.), who battled Thaad Thompson last season to start five games at strong safety. Junior Bradley Njoku started one game at the spot last season. Depth behind the two is spare, with inexperienced senior D’Mario Carter and junior Tom Hennessey. The freshman Banks could potentially fight Njoku for the starting free safety job if coaches choose to try him out there. Rounding out the depth at safety is redshirt freshman Russell Siavii, brother of Rob Siavii, who moved from linebacker under the old coaching staff and appears to be staying there.

Secondary at a glance

Departed players: Thaad Thompson, Gary Walker, Aaron Grymes, Tracy Carter

Returning players: Solomon Dixon – So., Jayshawn Jordan – So., Bradley Njoku – Jr., Trey Williams – Sr., Christian Whitehead – Sr., D’Mario Carter – Sr., Rodseth Brennett – Sr., Russell Siavii – RFr.

Incoming players: Delency Parham – Jr., Armond Hawkins – Fr., Desmond Banks – Fr.

Roster notes: It’s unsure whether Banks will ultimately play corner or safety

Our (way-too-early at the moment) predicted depth chart

Cornerbacks:

1. Delency Parham
2. Solomon Dixon
3. Jayshawn Jordan
4. Armond Hawkins
5. Christian Whitehead

Free Safety:

Desmond Banks
Bradley Njoku
Strong Safety:

Trey Williams
Desmond Banks

This is just speculation, as this is one of the more intriguing groups to watch in fall to see what players will be playing where. Desmond Banks could out-muscle Solomon Dixon right away at the outside corner spot just because of his size, or he could play right away at safety. Perhaps Njoku wins that free safety spot and Banks is a primary back-up throughout the entire secondary. Either way, he is the wild card to us in the group because his size provides a lot that the rest of the secondary unit lacks.