DB's
The weakest postion group on the team for the past few years took a very very minute step forward in pass defense this year. They were slightly statistically better this year which at first glance is a little impressive considering the level of competition compared the previous year. However, last year the run defense was fantastic and forced teams to pass, which they did. I thought as a group they were weaker than last year due to the lack of run stopping tackles and big hits from the safeties. Eric Mersareau would hit opponents with his purse instead of laying the wood like a safety is supposed to do. As was expected (which is pathetic) there were plenty of blown coverages this season which is compounded by the fact that these below average DBs are more worried about talking smack after the tackle a WR for a 5 yard gain than being assignment sharp and reliable. As much as the trenches are where you win games and lose games, these guys are such a glaring weakness that it makes the D line play nearly irrelevant as they have no chance of getting to a QB when his WRs are running wild and open all day. The term coverage sack would probably be met with a blank stare if you were to mention it to a DB on this team. It is imperative that these guys get much bigger and stronger and faster all while fixing their piss poor attitudes. They have a longer ways to go than any position group on the team by far. I have more faith in the two FR QBs going into next year than I do in the secondary. When the run defense is fixed, which should be this winter, the DBs better be prepared to be tested more than they were in the EWU game. Lots of work to do for these guys and it starts from within.
Key Losses: Eric 'can't tackle' Mersareau
Key Returners: Everyone other than Mersareau....
Tyrhe Ivery (Jr 6-1 169 (converted WR)). I was very high on Tyrhe as a WR. He got caught behind Hardin on the depth chart and never got enough reps as a WR despite his considerable talent. At very limited time as a safety Tyrhe looked good at times and looked very new at times. He would come up in run support and lay surprisingly powerful hits one play and the next whiff on a crucial 3rd down play. He has some serious athletic ability and can defiantly be a good player for the defense once he gets used to playing safety. He is going to have to hit the weights like Jake Miller this winter and gain at least 20 lbs to be able to play an entire season and tackle RBs. I would not be surprised to see him contribute next year.
Will Lewis (Sr 5-10 180). Played better in each consecutive game as he became more accustomed to the defense in his first season. Made some very nice plays in pass coverage and was one of the only players in the secondary that didn't make me squirm every time I saw the ball in the air heading for his area. Needs to tackle better. Also needs to get stronger and faster. Next year he should be much improved as he has one year of the defense under his belt. Hopefully he turns into a reliable player in the secondary and starts a revolution back there.
Javen Butler (So 6-2 190). This kid has some serious physical tools. I hope I wasn't the only one who noticed him streaking down the field on KO coverage. He has some great speed for his size and has a ton of room left on his frame. This guy could end up playing at 220 and still have room on his frame. He is a super physical young man and could be an enforcer if he earns playing time and understands the defense. This is his first full year in the program as he had academic concerns out of high school. He should be around 210 lbs by spring ball and if he gets things figured out he could be what we've been waiting for at safety.
Darryl Brown (Jr 5-10 163 lbs). Darryl was supposed to be the cornerstone of the secondary this season but was plagued by injuries all year and was never able to contribute as we had all hoped/anticipated. This kid needs to hit the damn weights. He is tiny and gets thrown around and would be much more durable and strong if he gained some weight. He has an enormous amount of heart and is very hard nosed and doesn't need to talk smack. He needs to be at least 180lbs next year to be able to hang with the WRs of the Big Sky. I expect him to be very good next year but he needs to show that he cares enough by gaining the necessary weight to cut it and be the man.
Dwayne Brown (So 5-9 165 lbs). I thought Dwayne was a lock to be the other starter at DB but he never really played this year. This must have been due to injury. He almost had his shirt pulled as a true FR and is plenty talented. This winter he needs to get healthy and if possible also get bigger and stronger the same way as Darryl. I'm not sure what to expect for him next season. I just hope he can get healthy and see the field as a start.
Chris Brown (So 5-8 164 lbs). Played a decent amount for a Fr, unfortunately he looked like a Fr most of the time. He needs time to develop. Shows some decent ability at times but just needs to be more seasoned. This winter with his position mates he needs to hit the weights.
Baylee Carr (Jr 5-9 192 lbs) A hard working player that is best in run support. A little short as a safety but decently thick. Needs to work on his skills as a pass defender. Was defiantly missed on the KO coverage unit this year. Doesn't need to get much bigger but needs another year under his belt.
Rumeal Harris (So 5-11 173 lbs). Looked the best of the FR DBs this season. Needs more experience. Also needs to gain some weight and get faster this winter. Hopefully he can develop into the other corner to start aside Darryl Brown.
Chris Hall (Sr 5-11 183 lbs) For some reason I don't think Mr. Hall weighs the reported 183 lbs from the roster. He isn't fast enough or strong enough to cut it against any D1 receiver. He is decently quick and smooth but can't tackle and seems to be a liability is coverage. He needs to get much stronger and bigger and most of all faster this winter. To be this late into his career and have concerns about his size says alot about his work ethic or lack thereof. Needs to get his 'stuff' together for his final season or he will have been a complete waste of a roster spot and scholarship at UND.
Chavon Mackey (Sr 5-9 174 lbs). Well what hasn't been said about Mr. Mackey.... This young man may be the most maligned player I have ever seen at UND. The most frustrating part is that he has some serious physical talent. He is fast, quick, a good tackler (when he wants to be), very long arms for his height, decent enough hands. All of these things are important but this kid just does not get it. He's too worried about what his next line will be to the WR du jour that is lighting him up. He has never had a good game in his three years. He has had good plays and good quarters and even a couple of good halves. But he has never in his life played a full game start to finish the way he should. At this point it has to be an attitude problem. He must have delusions of grander from playing as a Fr by default. I hope there are enough people on the team that get sick of his bs and start holding him accountable because he could actually be a really good player. The problem is that he just isn't yet. He needs to bust his ass for his last year to make good on the investment that UND has put into his so far worthless ass. If he was half as good as he thinks he is he would be twice as good as he actually is and thats a problem that he needs to fix because at this point the coaches can only do so much.
Ryan Cain (Fr 6-0 190 lbs). Has the look of a D1 safety already. Has great size for a FR and good speed as well. He looked like a bit of a playmaker in highschool and I hope that translates. He could be apart of a new movement in the secondary as they hopefully move away from the less than desirable to say the least secondary play of the last few years. I hope he is hungry enough to get some playing time next year and does what it takes to make a difference day one next spring. I'm very excited about this kids potential.
Devin Coyle (Fr 5-11 170 lbs) Great HS athlete. Has an advantage over many DBs in that he played QB in HS and knows what they look for. I expect this kid to make a nice contribution as a walk on much like Jay Nelson did. He will continue to develop this year and should be a very good Special Teams guy next year.
Dan Konowalski (Fr 5-11 170lbs). This kid seems to have some decent potential. Needs to get way stronger to contribute anywhere on the field. With some added strength he should be a decent player. Lots of potential, needs to keep his mind right and show people instead of tell them unlike some of his teammates.
Clordion Kennedy (Sr 5-10 200 lbs) I wasn't as impressed with Kennedy as I was with Lewis. Made some decent tackles this year but is just too slow and short. Needs to get in better shape this winter and be the player that he appeared to be on his JUCO film. I hope that one of the younger players beats him out since it's his last year and I'd like to see a longtime starter at safety instead of a bridge to the future type player like Kennedy.
There is some decent talent moving forward in this group and they get more physical by losing Mersereau and his skirt. There needs to be some new young blood injected in the secondary and things need to improve for this team to be what they should be. This program deserves better than what this group has been giving, lets hope they come together and pull through.
PS
KICKERS
Lost Sr Cameron who had an up and down career.
News flash: Zeb is good. Also, he needs to quit getting kicks blocked.
Hopefully the new punter bombs them like Montanas punter did.
