WSU FALL CAMP: Cornerback Competition
by Brian Floyd on Aug 13, 2010 4:13 PM PDT
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PrintStaying in the secondary, the cornerback battle takes center stage now. This isn't necessarily a competition for the starting spot -- though the ones and twos have been duking it out with each other since spring -- but more an effort to find depth and the 5th and 6th defensive backs in nickel and dime packages.
Who's Involved
The left cornerback spot features the most experience, while the right is filled with newcomers chomping at the bit. Let's take a look at the depth chart.
| Left Cornerback | Right Cornerback | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st String | Aire Justin (5'11 163 RS Jr.) | Daniel Simmons (5'10 187 RS So.) |
| 2nd String | Nolan Washington (5'11 180 RS Fr.) | Anthony Carpenter (6'0 190 RS Fr.) |
| 3rd String | Anthony Martinez (5'9 177 RS Jr.) | Terrance Hayward (6'1 190 RS So.) |
Again, the secondary is young but talented. Justin and Martinez are the lone upperclassmen, with the rest of the newcomers stepping up nicely. Even Damante Horton and Tracy Clark are getting reps and looking strong in early drills.
How The Battle Is Shaping Up
Justin and Simmons are pretty much locked in as the starters right now after a nice battle during spring practices. Simmons is coming off a broken leg last year but has recovered nicely and is at full speed. Justin really took a big step up this spring and so far in the fall practices. He should be much improved.
The rest of the depth chart, and the incoming freshman, are working to find a way into the rotation and should contribute on special teams at the very least.
Who Starts In Stillwater
Aire Justin and Daniel Simmons will start against Oklahoma State, barring a huge collapse or injuries. They've proven themselves over the last six months and look prepared to play at a high level.
Thankfully, there's depth this year. Hayward saw time last season and the two redshirt freshman -- Washington and Carpenter -- have lived up to their billing in practice. Both should see time in the nickel and dime packages. If there is an injury on the outside (knock on wood), I'm confident that any of the backs on the depth chart can step in without much drop-off.
While we watched our corners get torched many times last year, this year should be different. The secondary is starting to look like they're Pac-10 caliber and should be much improved in the 2010 campaign. Hopefully, the competition proves valuable for the young corners.
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a bit concerned at corner
this positions concerns me more than any other on the defense, it’ll be improved but it’s such a difficult position to play at this level. Justin has been prone to mental mistakes the past few years, blame the youth, and his weight is a bit questionable. It really takes a special type of player to be successful at corner (Trufant, David, Brackenridge) and hopefully some of our young recruits have that potential
Corner should be alright
Justin has looked really good. Not just taking the word of some of the reports, but from what I saw myself. He made a fantastic acrobatic interception that I saw (tipped it up to himself then caught it falling down) and has been steady. Simmons was good until he broke his leg.
Outside of those two, the freshmen coming off redshirts have been strong and are very athletic. As long as there isn’t a mass epidemic of injuries, they should be fine. They may not light the world up, but I think they’ll be alright.
That's good, because I thought Justin was far and away the worst corner on our team last season
To this untrained eye, anyway.
I agree with that
From what I saw, and what I’ve read, he’s really improved. If he does slip up in the least bit, Nolan Washington is right on his tail
I think Washington is going to be one of those kids that's going to come back to bite UW
when Ty whiffed on that 08’ (in-state) class on his way out. Barrington, Washington and Simone are all going to be on that list.
Itd be great if Barrington hits the books
I was impressed with what I saw from the kid.
by Brian Floyd on Aug 13, 2010 11:26 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Justin was awful
I remember in the Notre Dame game he literally tried to tackle air and got up pumping his fist or after the “play”. I couldn’t believe how bad he was through a lot of last year and thought no way does this guy see the light of day this year. Then toward the end the light seemed to go on and he actually started to play solid and made some plays. I have no idea where that came from but other than Ledgerwood it seemed Justin made the biggest jump last year. Maybe even bigger than Ledgerwood.
The deal last year was zero pass rush and the corners were hung out to dry. I do believe they will need Washington to emerge as the prospect they thought he could become but Justin definitely improved last year.
5'11" 163lbs seems awfully slight, particularly for a 4th year guy
Honest question, is conditioning be a big part of the problem Wulff seems to be having?
Nah, I don't think so.
Justin’s a holdover and I’m really not sure why he’s listed so low. If you look at the rest of the classes (RS So. and lower) there’s been a ton of gains. The pictures posted yesterday show it pretty well.
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