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SIAP: Returning Secondary

Nippes13

Buff All-American
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Jun 16, 2012
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www.gilbertspray.com
http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/88261/position-unit-review-pac-12-south-defensive-backs

I actually love the fact that we are right in the middle. We have tremendous depth. Safeties: Bell, Thompson, Chido (more than likely at nickelback, but has proven he can line up almost anywhere), White, Moeller, Sanchez, and wildcard Laguda. I really hope Bell comes back strong. He got seemed to be somewhat of a ballhawk the previous year with FR's and INT's and that is something the Buffs D missed all year last year. Thompson is my type of safety. He throws his body around without regard (unfortunately even for himself) and is a very food tackler. There was a huge difference in the D last year when he went down with his injury. Chido I like the most because he plays all over the field. He has Sundays in his future IMO, at least at nickel of safety. And White, he was good for a Frosh last year. I would love to see the jump that Thompson had from Frosh to Soph occur with White as well. Moeller impressed the hell out of me when he stepped in last year. Another hitter and solid tackler, but missed a few assignments that led to easy TDs. He's only a soph so I am sure he will develop into a guy that gets a decent amount of meaningful plays in the following years. Sanchez is a mystery to me, but have heard through the board to not sleep on this guy. Hopefully guys play well and avoid injury, which would leave Sanchez out of a role, but you never know if he steps up to challenge to earn PT. I know nothing on Laguda so I will wait to see on him, but he has already helped on the recruiting trail, so plus one already for me.

Corners: Crawley (NFL, IMO), Akhello, Walker, Wright, Chido (mr. wildcard). Crawley has come a long way from getting a personal foul in the 1st quarter at Fresno because he made one stop on third down to be followed up by a missed tackle for 6 the next play, to playing very sound defense last year. If he adds some INTs I think his draft stock goes way up. He gets deflections, now he needs to make those grabs. Akhello looks like he could be a beast out on an island. He has moments of the same. I am still out on the fence with him. He did struggle vs UMASS last year (as many of the Buffs did), which leaves me on the fence till he starts shutting down the mediocre WRs. Walker played ok with his reps at nickelback last year. I think he stays on the field only in that capacity next year as well. A dependable nickelback. Chido is Mr. Wildcard. He impressed me from day one. Looks and plays like a good football player should. I can't wait to see how Leavitt uses his versatility. Wright... well lets say something happens this year to give hope for his senior year. I won't write him off till it's said and done because he has always had the speed to play at this level, but has missed on most others aspects. Corner scares me because we do lack depth and I believe Chido to be the guy to step up out wide if Akhello or Crawley do end up going down.

Secondary next level (NFL) guys = Crawley and Chido for sure. Witherspoon and Thompson are maybes.

This obviously goes more in depth than the article. Add the two more critical aspects, a new DT and position coach, and we should be looking for solid play from these guys. this should also be the best secondary the Buffs have had since Jimmy Smith, Chapelle Brown and Jalil Brown.
 
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