2003 Football Preview: Defensive Backs
Aug 04, 2003 | Football
August 04, 2003
 Sophomore free safety Jaxson Appel made nine starts last season, posting 69 stops and picking off four passes. |
The Aggies return two cornerbacks who have started a number of games. Senior from Serra High School in Inglewood, California and junior from Bay City High School are experienced and will provide the type of man coverage that will allow the defense to attack.
Weston made 40 stops last season and broke up four passes while picking off two passes. He has 26 career PBUs as an Aggie.
Jones started six games last year and saw action in all 12 as he tied for the team lead with four interceptions and broke up another nine attempts.
"Our cornerbacks have to be guys who can play man coverage and are willing to work hard to execute our defense," Coach Chris Thurmond said. "We need athletic guys who are willing to come up and support the run and yet be able to cover the receivers deep. We will mix our coverages. We will need some depth because we will rotate our corners to keep them fresh and there are some instances where we will utilize five or six defensive backs."
In addition to Weston and Jones, three other defensive backs have earned letters for the Wrecking Crew. , a junior from Connally High School in Pflugerville, was injured and missed last season after sustaining an injury in the 2001 bowl game. is a sophomore from Skyline High School in Dallas and he has shown good instincts and excellent coverage skills as well as another sophomore, , from Galveston Ball High School.
The Aggies signed five defensive back recruits and the coaching staff will take a look at all of the candidates before making decisions whether they will work at the corner or the safety positions.
from Edna High School, from Naaman Forest High School in Garland, from Lake Highlands High School in Richardson, from Humble and from Aledo High School in Fort Worth will have an opportunity to come to Aggieland and contribute early in their careers.
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Free safety , a sophomore from Friendswood High School, made nine starts last season and posted 69 stops and picked off four passes to tie Byron Jones for the team lead. Appel made several touchdown saving tackles as the line of defense.
"Our safeties have to be heads up and compete each play," Coach Melvin Smith said. "That's what we're looking for, players who will compete. I think we have some young players who are willing to work to improve and we will have to be physical when we come up to support the run."
, a junior from Garland High School, and , a junior from LaMarque High School, have both earned two letters playing in a reserve role and excelling on special teams play. Jackson was forced into starting against Oklahoma and responded in excellent fashion as the Aggies upset the top-ranked Sooners.
Walkon saw a lot of reps in the spring after making his name in special teams play including a blocked punt against Nebraska.
is a redshirt freshman from Oak Ridge High School who will be expected to contribute this fall.
The Aggies signed five defensive back recruits and the coaching staff will take a look at all of the candidates before making decisions whether they will work at the corner or the safety positions.
Japhus Brown from Edna High School, Melvin Bullitt from Naaman Forest High School in Garland, Stephen Hodge from Lake Highlands High School in Richardson, Erik Mayes from Humble and Broderick Newton from Aledo High School in Fort Worth will have an opportunity to come to Aggieland and contribute early in their careers.
STATISTICAL LEADERS - DEFENSIVE BACKS - LAST 10 YEARS
Tackles Solo Tackles Interceptions Passes Broken Up QB Sacks 2002 T. Kiel 95 T. Kiel 62 Appel,Jones 4 B. Jones 9 Appel,Davis,Jackson 2 2001 T. Kiel 92 T. Kiel 65 S. Davis 5 S. Davis 10 J. Brooks 2 2000 M. Jameson 64 T. Kiel 44 Davis,Kiel 4 S. Weston 15 J. Brooks 2 1999 B. Jennings 94 B. Jennings 63 M. Jameson 5 J. Webster 10 J. Brooks 3 1998 R. Coady 86 B. Jennings 58 B. Jennings 4 J. Webster 7 M. Jameson 1 1997 R. Coady 93 R. Coady 64 S. Curry 3 J. Webster 9 S. Curry 2 1996 R. Coady 64 D. Greer 43 R. Coady 3 D. Greer 10 D. Greer 2 1995 D. Allen 73 R. Mickens 50 R. Mickens 4 D. Greer 8 T. McMullen 1 1994 D. Allen 65 D. Allen 46 D. Allen 4 R. Mickens 10 T. McMullen 1 1993 J. White 64 J. White 45 Glenn,Allen 3 Glenn,Mickens 13 Bi. Mitchell 1
2003 Football Preview:
