Secondary allows room for new looks

Southeast Missourian

A position-by-position look at Southeast Missouri State University's defense:

Line

Senior James Jennette, a second-team all-Ohio Valley Conference selection last year, anchors a unit that suffered a blow when Jermaine Motley, who joined Jennette as the Indians' only two returning inside run-stoppers with considerable size, was ruled to be out of eligibility by the NCAA.

The 310-pound Jennette will be counted on to provide strength and leadership up the middle. He was the Indians' third-leading tackler overall last season -- and ranked first among down linemen -- with 78, including 15 for loss to go along with four quarterback sacks. The latter two figures led Southeast.

"James is the only proven guy we've got inside," Southeast coach Tim Billings said. "We don't have a lot of depth there and we need James to play well. He's a big key for us."

Joining Jennette at tackle will be sophomore Caleb Daniel out of Jackson High School, who recorded 25 tackles as a true freshman part-time starter last year.

Junior-college transfer Ronald Byias, who adds size at 300 pounds, and redshirt freshman Brandon Bohnert will provide depth inside.

At the end positions are junior Ryan Roth, who returns after missing last season with a broken foot, and sophomore Adam Jones, who started last season as a true freshman. Jones' 54 tackles a year ago were seventh on the team and third among defensive linemen.

Also likely to see plenty of action at end are sophomores John Paul Usrey and Cal Jillson, both part-time starters in 2001. Jillson had 66 tackles, which was sixth on the squad and second among defensive linemen, while Usrey added 39 tackles.

Linebacker

Five players who saw considerable action last year return and are joined by several others to make this a highly competitive position.

Junior Ricky Farmer will anchor the middle for the third straight season. Seemingly always around the ball, Farmer was second on the team last year with 110 tackles, including 10 for loss, and three sacks.

Senior Kelvin Jones and junior Michael Irving were slated to start on the outside, although they were receiving plenty of competition during the preseason. Jones had 27 tackles last year and Irving 25.

Sophomore O.J. Turner (Central) broke into the lineup midway through last year as a true freshman and finished with 42 tackles. Senior Todd Frazier is an experienced backup after recording 31 and 25 tackles, respectively, a year ago.

Redshirt freshman Rickey Smith, junior-college transfer Justin Komondoreas, sophomore Travion Brock and junior Tyson Gooch -- the latter two missed last season with injuries -- all are pushing the returning players.

Secondary

Defensive coordinator Shannon Morrison considers this unit to be the strength of Southeast's defense.

"We have quality and depth in the secondary, and that will allow us to use some coverages we haven't used in the past," Morrison said.

Senior free safety Prince Anderson was a second-team all-OVC pick last year after he made a team-high 125 tackles. Sophomore Chaun Tate, who had 25 tackles as a true freshman last year, will be at strong safety.

Senior Demar Winston and sophomore Dimitri Patterson are returning starters at cornerback. Winston led the Indians with four interceptions and had 51 tackles last year while Patterson had a stellar true freshman season with three interceptions, nine passes broken up, two fumble recoveries and 53 tackles.

Providing plenty of depth are senior Isaac Huddleston, senior Alex Alameda, sophomore Nate Johnston and redshirt freshman Kellin White at safety, along with junior Marco Tipton and sophomore Mike Miller at cornerback.

Tipton, a former starter, and Miller both saw considerable action last year while Huddleston also is a former starter.

Punter

This position is a big question mark after second-team all-OVC pick Kyle East lost an NCAA appeal for a final year of eligibility.

The Indians are counting on freshman Andrew Winters, an Australian who was recommended to the Southeast coaching staff after impressing at a kicking camp in Texas.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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