July 30, 2004
| The secondary emerged from spring practice with grades as the most improved unit on the team, and with possibly the biggest burden and challenge - to provide coverage that enables a better array of blitz packages and a stronger pass rush.
Most of the raves the defensive backs drew came from the notable mix of deep experience with high-energy and talented redshirt freshmen, four in each category. Three returnees who started every game in '03 are in their second year on the Leadership Council. Secondary talk starts with junior free safety Jaxson Appel, who missed contact hitting in the spring while his repaired left elbow healed fully. On the Coach's Night circuit during the summer, head coach Dennis Franchione said of Appel, "I hope he doesn't have to make as many tackles and wear the big red 'S' on his undershirt again this season. Jaxson did it all for us last year." In a highly-vulnerable defense as a second-year starter, he made 73 tackles and assisted on 62 others for a school record 135. He made four interceptions for the second straight season, and he scored twice - one on a pick, another on one of this three fumble recoveries. Appel is a fiery teammate serving on the Leadership Council for the second time. Safeties coach Melvin Smith said, "Jaxson looked more experienced when he was able to practice, and he improved in one-on-one situations, both run and pass." Providing similar stability and savvy at the left corner is senior Byron Jones. He headlined onto the scene in the bowl game of his freshman season, subbing for injured Sean Weston and intercepting three passes to earn MVP and Defensive Player of the Game honors. Byron since has made four picks as a sophomore and one last year, and he was second in '03 in solo tackles with 62 (69 total) and in lost-yardage tackles (6). He, too, is in a second term on the Leadership Council. Cornerbacks coach Chris Thurmond calls Jones "a solid player who will help us win." The other everyday starter from '03 also is a Jones, Robert formally, called Ray Ray by coaches and teammates. He plays strong safety, and he was third in tackles with 91. In his junior year he will be pushed for playing time by returnee Bryant Singleton - "he's made Ray Ray better," Coach Smith said - and a redshirt who has an enormous upside, Japhus Brown, who earned his way into the two-deep. Singleton and Brown give added team speed on the strong side. Brandon Leone was one of the most improved players in the spring before an injury knocked him out at free safety. Although Jonte Buhl enters his senior year with experience in 33 games, playing well last year after sitting out a year with injury, two of the promising redshirt freshmen pushed him hard in the spring - Erik Mayes and Brock Newton. Also, former receiver John Roberson adds speed to the right side. Melvin Bullitt, who improved enough in the first half last season to take off the redshirt and play seven games, and newcomer Stephen Hodge also had outstanding spring looks on the left corner. The level of competitiveness among the d-backs left the position coaches noting that they believe 13 of their players are ready to play often and contribute in various combinations. One buzz phrase among the secondary during the spring was touch-to-catch ratio. Coach Franchione believes that an improvement of just 1-2 a game of hanging onto the ball with a pick or a fumble whenever it is touched can make a huge difference. "Our players are always talking about it," Coach Thurmond said. Coach Fran observed, "If our secondary lives up to the potential it showed in spring practice it will have a huge impact on our defense." AggieAthletics.com's 2004 football preview will bring you right up to the "beginning" of football season, when the players report to campus on Aug. 8.
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