In terms of numbers the Hoosiers will lose more defensive backs than any other position next season. Some of these include safeties Mitchell Evans, Aaron Burks, and Kyle Dietrick along with corners Matt Ernest, Adrian Burks, and Richard Council. The Hoosier secondary has been injury prone the last couple of years which has forced a handful of different players to see the field.
As we’ve mentioned before, almost every spot will be open for competition so there could be a wide variety of combinations on the field. At the safety position the Hoosiers return Donnell Jones, Chris Adkins, Greg Heban and Jarrell Drane. Donnell was one of the more physical players at safety but sometimes seemed a bit slow. So far this off season he has lost ten pounds which should help improve his quickness before next season. Former walk-on Greg Heban started 4 games at corner last season but has been moved to the safety spot. Other players who have been moved were Lenyatta Kiles and Lawrence Barnett. Both of them moved back to the corner position.
It is probably pretty confusing with players moving back and forth but as of yesterday’s updated roster at safety we will have: Donnell Jones, Greg Heban, Jarrell Drane, Chris Adkins, and redshirt freshman Drew Hardin, Shaquille Jefferson and Jake Zupancic.
At corner we will have: Lenyatta Kiles, Lawrence Barnett, Andre Kates, Peter St. Fort, Alex Webb, and redshirt freshman Brian Williams.
Getting Chris Adkins back healthy at the safety spot will give the Hoosiers a boost and along with him Donnell Jones will likely be a one of the favorites to win a starting spot. I am curious to see how Greg Heban does at making the position switch and his name will certaintly be in the mix.
At the corner position I think Lawrence Barnett is one of the most talented underclassmen on the team and has been mentioned as one of the players who has made great strides this off season through the new conditioning program. To go with him I still think Andre Kates has a lot of potential and the fresh start with the new staff will certaintly help. The main guys to focus on at the corner spot in my opinion will be Barnett, Kates, and Kiles. Although there will be a lot of competition all over I think those three are the most ready to be playing every down.
Original Story:
http://hoosierstateofmind.com/2011/03...
