Fresno State Athletics
Defensive Backs
8/21/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 13, 2006
Current roster
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FRESNO, Calif.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/2
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/4
The good news from the 2005 team is that half of the starting members of the secondary were drafted by NFL teams. The bad news for the 2006 team is finding replacements for two NFL caliber players in the starting secondary.
The two returning players are as good as there are in the WAC. Cornerback Marcus McCauley returns for his third straight season as a starter and will be the premier defensive back in the league. He has the size (6-1, 205) and speed (4.31 in the 40-yard dash) to excel at the next level. Last season, he had 45 tackles and led the team with seven passes defended. Josh Sherley returns to his strong safety spot where he had 51 tackles last season, four for losses, and racked up some of the most vicious hits of the 2005 campaign. Senior Vincent Mays, a physical player and emotional leader, will take over for All-WAC player Tyrone Culver (drafted by the Packers) at free safety.
The cornerback position vacated by Richard Marshall, a second round pick of the Carolina Panthers, will be shared by Damon Jenkins and Elgin Simmons. Simmons, a senior, is the most experienced of the two. Jenkins, a junior, was one of the top prep cornerbacks in the west in 2003.
Hill is also pleased with the progress of redshirt freshmen safeties Moses Harris and Marvin Haynes. He also expects a couple of true freshman to compete for playing time at cornerback. Highly touted recruits Damion Owens and A.J. Jefferson, could see time on the field this fall. "We could see a lot of new faces in the secondary this year. We have some young players, including a couple of true freshman coming in who are going to be special players. Marcus McCauley is a premier athlete at cornerback. He's a first-day NFL draft guy and don't be surprised if he goes in the first round. He has that kind if speed and playmaking ability. Josh Sherley is a tough, hard-nosed player who we really like. He got overlooked last season because of Culver and Marshall, but he's an important part of our defense. Vincent Mays has his chance to shine. He's been waiting in the wings and I know he's excited for the opportunity. We need a cornerback to step up to replace Marshall. We won't know who that is until fall camp." * * *
Join the State - Fresno State! Get tickets online 24/7 at www.gobulldogs.com or by calling the Bulldog Ticket Office (559-278-DOGS), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Ticket Office is located at the south entrance of the stadium off Bulldog Lane. Fresno State's 2006 home schedule- which kicks off Sept. 1 against Nevada- features opponents such as Oregon, Colorado State, Hawai'i, New Mexico State and Idaho.
