Other defensive previews:

Linebackers

Defensive line

First, the secondary stats from last year:

DBs lost
Ryan Greiser (67 tackles, 4 TFL, 1/2 sack, 1 INT, 5 PBU)
Kent Hicks (44 tackles, 1 1/2 TFL, 3 INT, 7 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FR)
Pat Calvary (27 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 3 PBU)
Brandon Saunders (9 tackles)

DBs returning
Chris Rocco (78 tackles, 1/2 TFL, 1 INT, 7 PBU, 3 FR)
Tim Torrence (48 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FR)
Larry Claiborne (19 tackles, 1 TFL)
Brandon Robinson (14 tackles, 3 PBU, 1 FR)
Kajuan Lee (8 tackles)
Chuck Duffey (4 tackles, 2 INT, 2 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FF)

Like just about every other position on this team, the Flames’ secondary is talented, but untested. Chris Rocco (5-10, 200, Sr.) is the team’s second leading returning tackler, is a defensive captain and an intelligent leader. So the secondary has that going for it. But the rest of the players must assume larger roles this season, and that’s a transition that normally takes a little time.

Let’s start with the safeties, and Rocco in particular. New secondary coach Wally Ake has quickly gotten familiar with the skills of his secondary leader.

“You can’t call him an overachiever now,“ Ake said. “But I think he’s just made himself into a football player. He just loves the game. He studies the game. He’s knowledgeable. But what he’s done in the weight room in the offseason is that he’s made himself a better athlete. He’s not going to be the fastest guy on the field. But he’s so smart and in the right position to make plays that he never wastes a step. And, he knows what all 11 guys are doing. So he’s a great field general for us. His leadership is a large part of how good we’ll be.“

Larry Claiborne (6-1, 180, rSo.) got some opportunities to play last season, but going from part-time player to starter is a huge transition. Ake likes the raw ability Claiborne possesses. Now, it’s a matter of making plays on a consistent basis.

“He’s a freelancer. He’s a free spirit,“ Ake said. “Technically, he’ll lose his focus now and again. But he has a knack, great anticipation, so he can make up for those kinds of things. But he’s not going to be able to get away with those kinds of things against West Virginia, or against teams with equal talent. He’s really got to stay focused. He’s made a concerted effort to do that. If he loses focus, and you say something to him, he’ll get it back. He’s fun to be around. He’s got a great personality. He’s a good ballplayer who can contribute a ton.“

The reserves at safety include Chuck Duffey (6-0, 190, rSr.), who has converted from safety to receiver and back to safety thanks to a thumb injury.

“He can bat a ball down at safety,“ Ake said. “We’re glad to have him back. He gives us some flexibility, and the experience. He’s another senior who provides leadership. He’ll see plenty of playing time.“

Omar Clark (6-0, 185, rSo.) and Brentley Vinson (6-1, 195, Fr.) will figure into the reserve mix as well. Vinson especially has shown a lot of raw ability during camp, and he’s a heavy hitter.

“The more of the gameplan he can handle mentally, with the adjustments, the more he’ll be on the field,“ Ake said. “He can run, and he will hit you. He’s just got to polish up his responsibilities so he can play at this speed. If he’s thinking too much, he plays slow. He just has to be able to play intelligently within the scheme. He’s a down-the-road guy you wish you could redshirt. But he has too much talent, and he’s in the two-deep.“

At cornerback, the Flames replace one smallish senior corner (Pat Calvary) with another, Tim Torrence (5-8, 165, Sr.). Torrence has been known to give himself a concussion or two because of his all-out style of play. Keeping a solid four-man rotation at corner will be key to keep Torrence and Donald Manns (5-10, 180, Sr.) fresh.

“He’s my favorite player,“ Ake said of Torrence. “He’s got one speed, one gear—full out. ... He loves the game. He plays the game with the passion necessary, just like Rocco. ... He’s got a small body, though. He’ll blow himself up while he’s blowing somebody else up. We’ve got to keep him healthy by making sure we keep him at full speed.“

Ake on how Manns looks coming back from a major ankle injury: “He’s pretty close to full speed. He’s another one, though, that we can’t give 70 straight reps in a ballgame. We need to give him a spell, a break, so he can play at full speed. I never saw him before he got hurt, but everybody was telling me how good he was. When I look at him now I say, ‘Wow, that’s a pretty good football player.‘ I think he’s crossing a bridge in regards to his ankle. I don’t think it’s going to affect his play. But we can’t let him get tired, to where it wears on him.“

The backups at corner include Kajuan Lee (5-11, 180, rSo.) and Brandon Robinson (6-1, 175, So.). Further down the depth chart are Pitt transfer Ron Hobby (5-9, 170, rFr.) and Kevin Fogg (5-10, 175, Fr.), a converted tailback.

“Kajuan Lee is another young raw one,“ Ake said. “He just needs to gain consistency in executing. His talent and ability is what you want in a corner. He’s got size. He’s just got to gain focus and make all of his parts are going in the right direction. ... Down the road (Robinson) might be the most talented of all the corners. ... He loves to compete. He’s got some nastiness to him. He plays the game with a passion.“

Coming Friday: The final previews—special teams and tight ends.