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LOGAN — There are going to be a lot of new faces in the secondary on game days in just a few short weeks for the Aggies.
Frankie Sutera, Brian Suite and Rashard Stewart all graduated after last season. Combined those three accounted for nine interceptions, five sacks, 28 pass break ups, and 202 tackles. Replacing that kind of production is no easy task. Thankfully there a few young guys primed to step into starting roles.
Starting at the strong safety position, a versatile Devin Centers is expected to get the start in his junior year. Centers saw action in 13 games last year, including six starts. Centers has shown an incredible athleticism and intelligence. He has a great ability to read plays quickly and come up against the run. Centers' 6 tackles for loss in 2014 was tied for most among the Aggie defensive backs.
Redshirt freshman Jontrell Rocquemore looks to be in line to start at free safety this fall. Rocquemore, who started at free safety during spring football, is a playmaker with incredible range. He has the ability to see where the quarterback is going with the ball, the speed to get there and fights through defenders to make plays. Rocquemore could be the Aggies' starting free safety for the next four years.
Senior Marwin Evans and sophomore Myron Turner are expected to compete for the starting safety positions as well. Evans saw action in all 14 games last season. Evans has great vision, ball skills and isn't afraid to fight through blockers in the run game. Turner is a young safety with good field vision who plays with high energy.
The good news in the secondary is that the Aggies only have to replace one corner with Jalen Davis returning.
Davis, who was the first true freshman cornerback in school history to start the season opener, started all 13 games he played in. In those games, Davis racked up 61 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, two INTs, returning one for a touchdown, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble. Even though Davis will only be a sophomore this season, he will be looked to for veteran leadership.
Opposite of Davis, two new comers will fight for the starting spot. Wesley Bailey, a transfer from Eastern Arizona Community College, has the frame of a big-time corner. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Bailey has the size and speed to stick with any wide receiver in the Mountain West. Bailey will be a junior in 2015.
He will be competing with true freshman Cameron Haney. Haney was a lockdown corner throughout his high school years. In his senior season he amassed 29 pass breakups. Haney is a versatile cornerback with a great ability to read the offense and get to the ball. He has great timing and fights through the defenders to the ball. Haney will be able to help the Aggie defense sooner than later.
Junior Daniel Gray, who saw a lot of action last year, will also be in the mix to start opposite Davis. Gray started seven games last year and played in all 14. In 2014, Gray had 29 tackles, five pass breakups and a fumble recovery. If Bailey and Haney are unable to pick up the system quick enough, expect Gray to get the start.
Projected starters: Jalen Davis (CB), Wes Bailey (CB), Devin Centers (SS), Jontrell Rocquemore (FS)
Second string: Daniel Gray (CB), Cameron Haney (CB), Myron Turner (FS), Marwin Evans (SS)
Up next: Linebacker preview
Parker Robertson is a graduate of Utah State University, a freelance contributor, and an avid fan of sports. Follow him on Twitter @ParkerRob78 Email: ParkerRobertson18@gmail.com
