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2011 Preview: Secondary
The defensive backfield returns three of the four starters from a year ago and seven total lettermen from the 2010 season. Senior safety Byron Allen (Massaponax, Va.) returns for a fifth-year to bolster the secondary, and could also play outside linebacker. He will also co-captain the team. Named 2010 Second Team All-Big South, Allen led the team defensive backs and ranked second among Big South secondary players with 78 tackles for 7.1 stops per game. He had 31 solos and 47 assists on the season and ranked seventh in the Big South in total tackles. Other returning starters include seniors Trae Wakins (Lynchburg, Va.) and cornerback Greg Walker (Waldorf, Md.). Watkins tested out as the top conditioned athlete in off-season strength testing and was on the field for the most plays in 2010 - 784 which topped the team charts. Watkins ranked sixth on the team in tackles with 53 tackles and 3.5 for loss for 12 yards total, and intercepted passes in consecutive games against Virginia and Presbyterian College. Walker has 19 career starts heading into the season and is the leading returnee in pass break-ups (6) from a year ago. Other returning lettermen include junior safety Michael Johnson (Richmond, Va.) and sophomore cornerback Mike Smith (Mims, Fla.) who will both compete for playing time as well as senior three-year letterman and cornerback Juan Thrasher (Carrolton, Texas), sophomore cornerback Miguel Marshall (Woodbridge, Va.) and redshirt freshman strong safety Demetri Phillips (Brown Summit, N.C.). |
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