Editor's Note: This is the sixth in a series of 10 features that highlight a group or position of the 2010 Mercyhurst College football team.
Defensive backs
Senior
Julius McCormick and junior
Rodney Dale are the projected starters at cornerback, with
Bryant Kimball earning the nod at free safety and
L.J. Stevens at strong safety.
The cornerback position is the most competitive position on the defense, with All-PSAC West Second Team selection McCormick leading the way in his fourth year as a starter. He has played in every game
during his career and started all but one of those contests, registering 44 or more tackles in each season. He brings maturity to a youthful position and will be looked upon for leadership skills.
Fighting for spots behind McCormick will be red-shirt sophomore
Linnell Robinson and sophomore
Dwayne Cunningham. Robinson’s career has been injury-prone while Cunningham is a converted running back who made the move to defense this spring where he surprised coaches with his speed and potential.
A junior, Dale holds a slight edge over senior
Brandon Harper, who spent four games as a starter at
the position a year ago. Undersized in height, neither of the two measure above 5-feet, 10-inches. However, the duo’s athleticism is what impresses fourth-year defensive coordinator
John Thompson the most. Dale is the most athletic and will see time at either cornerback, strong safety or the Laker while Harper is the best technical corner and will need to stay injury free.
Also figuring into the mix are freshmen
Vladmir Rock and
Tyler Aiken. Rock brings a high-intensity attitude and work ethic to the mix while Aiken’s 6-feet, 2-inch frame could help address the height disadvantage that opponents exploited with taller, bigger wide receivers.
In this third year as starter, Kimball is not physically overpowering at free safety, but his knowledge of
the game and ability to get players lined up correctly more than makes up for any size differential. He has matured greatly in his two years with the program and has pushed his game to a new level with an increased attention to developing his leadership skills.
Dale will see action as a reserve at this position which lacks depth, as well as freshmen
Luke Alberts and
Deonte Huggins.
The competition for the starting role at strong safety is wide open, with Stevens holding a slight advantage over
Ryan Taylor. Stevens took the majority of repetitions in the spring season while Taylor decided to come back for his fifth year, bringing experience to a position that has virtually none on the depth chart.