No Southern football position group was hit harder by graduation than the secondary, and no group has been more of a pleasant surprise in spring practice.
Losing four of the top five players seemingly would make for a long rebuild, but defensive coordinator Henry Miller has just enough experience to work with. The results can be seen in the Blue and Gold spring game at A.W. Mumford Stadium at 1 p.m. Saturday.
“That’s the place we got hurt the most, but we’re making that position more competitive,” said Miller, entering his third season as defensive coordinator. “The kids are receiving the coaching, playing hard and competing hard. I’m excited to see how this will turn out.
“We’ve got three we can start with that played and got experience, especially Rodney (Johnson) and Horacio (Johnson). We’re depending on their leadership roles to pick up.”
Rodney Johnson was a starting cornerback who had 43 tackles and five pass breakups. Horacio Johnson played starters' snaps and was the second-leading tackler among defensive backs with 59, including 2½ for losses. He showed some playmaking skills with an interception, three breakups, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.
Another contributor is transfer Leroy Bowers, who got a significant amount of playing time and will be in the rotation, and Luke Rose, who has been lining up at the corner spot opposite Rodney Johnson. Others in the mix are Marcus Borne, Jaylin Simmons and Joshua Alexander.
Both of the Johnsons are stepping up their leadership after the departures of Jordan Carter and Kriston Davis.
“I’m trying to be a leader and keep everybody together,” said Rodney Johnson, who also competes on the Southern track and field team. “We were a tight-knit group last year. The new people who didn’t have the playing time, we’re fitting them in.”
Said Horacio Johnson: “I’ve been here three years, I have to lead. It’s my job this season. It’s the most important thing I can do. We’ve bonded, we’re locked in and know each other. Things are going to get right for the secondary.”
Rose has been a pleasant surprise. A special-teams player and safety, he’s making the transition to cornerback.
“Luke Rose is one of those guys that have been around the program a long time," Miller said. "He’s found the perfect time to start coming around. He’s got good size, length and speed. He’s tough. I’m happy to see him come the way he’s coming at corner. I like the way he’s playing.”
Rose has shown the coaching staff good instincts and the athleticism to play safety. He particularly enjoys playing man-to-man coverage, a necessity for the position.
“I’m just trying to get better every day and competing,” Rose said. “I’ve played safety, now I’m a corner. It’s not any harder or crazier, I’m still a defensive back. This is the most fun I’ve had. You get a lot of attention at corner, they come after you. Man-to-man was tough at first but I really like it now.”