Spring break checkup: The secondary

MORE: Spring Football Central

The secondary is one of the most intriguing spots on the team. In fact, it could end up being a strength even with veterans like safety Jacob Thieneman and cornerback Antonio Blackmon gone.

One of the first things that stands out while watching spring drills is the size of the defensive backs. Jeff Brohm said from the time he arrived that he wanted to get bigger in the back end. Well, mission accomplished. Only one projected starter is under 6-0, and that is 5-11 corner Dedrick Mackey.

The real head-turners are safeties Cory Trice and Jalen Graham. Trice is a 6-3, 210 pound redshirt freshman, while Graham is a 6-3, 215-pound early enrollee who looks more like a linebacker. Both have impressed this spring while running with the first team. Graham often plays as an “in the box” safety close to the line—a de facto linebacker. He had a nice interception in one spring session. You wonder what his body is going to look like after he is on campus for a year lifting and eating. Having a senior safety like Navon Mosley alongside will help the youngsters.

The cornerbacks could be a cut-above, with sophomore cornerback Kenneth Major perhaps poised for a breakout. He has one spot locked down. Opposite him is fellow sophomore Mackey and junior Simeon Smiley. Mackey has shown some skills this spring. Smiley is a player you should keep an eye on. After bouncing around the secondary, he has settled in to a corner/nickel spot. This is a nice three-man cornerback situation.

“I guess I need to get comfortable playing cornerback,” said the 6-0, 205-pound Smiley, who also has been a safety. “I have played three positions. This will help me a lot for what I want to do in the future. So, right now, I am just learning it, trying to get comfortable with the new techniques.”

THE SKINNY: Again, lots to like. One dynamic: New cornerbacks coach Greg Brown, who came aboard prior to spring drills from Auburn following Derrick Jackson’s departure to Northern Illinois. Brown is a sage coach with over 30 years of experience. That knowledge and teaching ability will be key working with a youthful collection of corners.

Kenneth Major is the guy to watch at corner. At 6-0, 200-pounds, Major looks the part. He is physical vs. the run and he can cover. Smiley is a smart player with size (6-0, 205) who is very happy to be back at cornerback. He could be in store for a big season. Mackey lacks ideal dimensions but has shown fight this spring. Depth is young. Redshirt freshmen Jordan Rucker has gotten second-team reps along with fellow redshirt freshman Byron Perkins, a freaky 6-2 corner.

Navon Mosley is being counted on to be a leader. He is a steady voice in the back-end who must pick up the leadership slack left by Jacob Thieneman’s departure. Mosley needs to make sure Cory Trice and Jalen Graham are on the same page and stay dialed-in. And don’t forget: Purdue will welcome back junior Brennan Thieneman, who is out this spring recovering from a broken leg suffered in the bowl game. Safeties coach Anthony Poindexter has some interesting pieces to work with.

Looking for an X-factor? Check out redshirt freshman Elijah Ball. Defensive coordinator Nick Holt is trying the 6-1, 210-pound Ball as a hybrid safety/linebacker. He would be used mostly in coverage vs. spread teams and also could come off the edge as a blitzer. Ball has looked good this spring.

It will be fun to see how the secondary develops this spring ... and beyond.

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