2011 BYU Football Preview: Cornerbacks
By Mitch Harper
By: Mitch Harper
Over the years when heading into BYU Football seasons many Cougar faithful cringe at the thought of the Cornerback position. BYU has had good talent over the years at Corner, but never much depth.
Since Bronco Mendenhall took over as Head Coach in 2005, BYU has quietly built quality depth at the Cornerback spot. An impressive feat at BYU where even the legend LaVell Edwards had issues with building depth at this position.
Along with being the Head Coach, Bronco will resume his Defensive Coordinator duties this season. He has to find two new starting Cornerbacks this season to replace departed Seniors Brian Logan and Brandon Bradley. Both of which started every game the past two seasons at Corner for the Cougars. Bronco is excited about the new crop of Corners heading into 2011. They are young and inexperienced but there is no shortage of talent after what was seen in this year’s Spring Practices.
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CORNERBACK PREVIEW
Starters Lost: 2 (Brian Logan & Brandon Bradley)
New DBs Coach: Nick Howell
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PROJECTED STARTERS
Field Cornerback: Preston Hadley, Junior (*Newcomer)
A JUCO transfer from Snow College, Preston Hadley enrolled at BYU for Winter Semester making him eligible for Spring practices. Right away in Spring practices was making plays on the field and going stride-for-stride with receivers in coverage situations, which earned him reps with the 1s during most of Spring Football.
Hadley, a Pleasant Grove native, was a leader at Snow and is becoming one of the leaders at Cornerback for BYU. Taking on a role similar to what Brian Logan left behind. If Brian Logan was 6’0 tall he would be Preston Hadley. They both have a similar style of play and swagger about them. Hadley stands at 6’0 200 pounds. Expect Hadley to be a starter against Ole Miss on September 3rd.
Boundary Cornerback: Corby Eason, Senior
Two years ago, a Summer signee out of Erie C.C. in New York in Corby Eason joined the BYU Football program. Its been an eventful career for Eason at BYU. Started his career as a blue mohawk rocking player with a deep southern accent garnering him the nickname, “Durrty” (Dirty South) amongst his teammates. Converting to the LDS church and getting married. On the field, has been productive as well.
When Mendenhall took over the defense mid-way through last season, the Defense became a lot more aggressive. Eason was a player in particular who stood out in the revamped Cougar D. Eason was a specialist on the edge with Cornerback blitzes and did a nice job filling in for either Logan or Bradley when they needed a breather. Eason had to sit out all of Spring ball due to an injury. Expected to be fully healthy for Camp Cougar. Has some tough competition behind him vying for the starting nod, but Eason’s game-experience will seperate him from the rest early on.
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KEY RESERVES
Robbie Buckner, Junior
In Fall Camps over the years, Buckner has always been one of the most impressive Cornerbacks. Either due to injury or redshirt, Buckner hasn’t seen much time on the field. In 2006 as a True Freshman out of Ashdown, Arkansas, Buckner was listed with the 1s during most of Fall Camp. Mendenhall still opted to redshirt him, so Buckner could play four straight years when he returned home from his mission. Buckner went on a mission and came back in 2009. Again was seeing reps with the 1st Team Defense but injuries took a toll on Buckner. Thus, opening the door for Brian Logan. After that Buckner has found himself as a reserve. This year expect a bigger role from Buckner who had a healthy Spring.
Jordan Johnson, Redshirt-Freshman
It is not very often that BYU has talent coming to Provo all the way from Massachusetts. In the case of Jordan Johnson you can thank BYU Basketball-great, Danny Ainge for bringing Johnson to Cougar Town.
Johnson’s father works with the Boston Celtics. Jordan would shoot hoops at the Celtics Practice Facility, when Ainge took notice of the talented athlete. Johnson told Ainge about his college prospects, and that’s when Ainge told Johnson to give BYU a look. Now the rest is history.
Johnson as a redshirt last season, was a player coaches and staff were raving about as a member of the Scout Team. Saw time with the 1st Team Defense during numerous sessions of Spring ball. Johnson is a possibility this year to return some kick-offs to utilize his speed. Was a return man in high school as well.
Skye Povey, Sophomore (Walk-On)
Along with Preston Hadley, Povey is a JUCO transfer from Snow College. Since Mendenhall has been at BYU, there is always one or two walk-on DBs that make an impact on the Defense. Ben Criddle, Corby Hodgkiss, Scott Johnson, and recently Andrew Rich. Skye Povey has a good shot of being the next walk-on DB to make an impact. Had a good spring and was even the 1st Team Boundary Corner for the Blue-White Game this year, there was some injuries that opened the spot up for him.
DeQuan Everett, Junior
A JUCO transfer from Cerritos Community College who transferred to BYU last Summer, Everett redshirted in 2010 with three years to play two. The redshirt was valuable to Everett’s confidence who struggled on Scout Team at times last season, looks a lot more confident heading into 2011 with a full off-season under him in the program.
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RETURN MISSIONARIES
Cameron Comer, Redshirt-Freshman (Served in Richmond, Virginia)
Out of Springville High School, Comer signed with BYU back in 2008. Had some interest from some top-notch programs like Michigan coming after his services as a member of the Red Devils. Comer redshirted his first and only season so far with BYU in ’08. This season, participated in Spring drills. Likely a guy on the outside of the 2-deep in 2011 unless makes significant strides during Fall Camp. Some talented players in front of him right now.
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CURRENT MISSIONARIES AT THE POSITION
Trevor Bateman (Returns in 2012)
Currently serving in Cow Town a.k.a. Ft. Worth, Texas. Bateman returns to Provo in 2012. A overall talented athlete out of California who runs a legitimate 4.4-40 Yard Dash.
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REST OF THE UNIT
– Carter Mees, Junior (Walk-On)
Mees has seen action in 11 games in his Cougar career.
– Ryan Comer, Sophomore (Walk-On)
Transfer from Snow College. Comer is brother to Cameron Comer.
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Previous Cougar Center 2011 BYU Football Previews
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