Aug. 19, 2011
DAVIS, Calif. - With football preseason camp underway, UC Davis is preparing for the 2011 schedule and the final year in the Great West Conference. In anticipation of the season opener at Arizona State, the Aggies will have a position-by-position preview leading up to the Sept. 1 kickoff. Today the defensive backs are featured.
There is a consensus among the UC Davis coaches that the 2011 Aggie secondary is one of the most talented and athletic groups in UC Davis' storied history. The continued growth of experienced underclassmen coupled with veteran leadership has the defensive backs feeling confident.
The Aggies will have to replace strong safety Danny Hart, who was second on the team in 2010 with 72 tackles, to go along with 4.0 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. After several injuries last season, coaches believe that enough returners have game experience to pick up the slack.
"I think we're loaded at safety and corner," said head coach Bob Biggs. "I've told people that this is the best group of safeties and corners that I've had in my 19 years as a head coach. I'm excited about that."
Junior Kevyn Lewis (5-11, 200) has the most experience of any defensive back and should repeat as the starting free safety this season. Last year Lewis started in all 11 games and posted 39 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. As a redshirt freshman, he won the team's most improved award after registering 30 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
Despite limited experience as a freshman, sophomore Earnest Sayles (6-2, 203) is the favorite to succeed Hart at strong safety this season. The coaching staff is confident in Sayles' abilities even after the lack of play at the collegiate level. At Santiago High School he tallied 156 tackles as a senior with 10 pass breakups. Sayles earned CIF-SS Male Athlete of the Year honors, among several other postseason recognitions.
Patrick Shelton (6-1, 210) is the only senior in the safeties group and could play as the backup at strong safety. Coaches have been impressed with his work ethic and refer to him as a prototype athlete. Shelton played in just two games last season en route to seven tackles but is in the midst of a strong fall camp and is likely to be a significant contributor in 2011.
Phillip Thrappas (5-10, 192) is a junior transfer from Foothill College. Thrappas came in during spring drills and immediately surprised the coaching staff with his play. Coaches believe he will see time on special teams in addition to competing for a free safety spot.
Sophomore Aaron Jones (6-2, 190) is expected to see significant time on the field this season as a reserve. Last year he appeared in nine games and finished with four tackles. UC Davis also brought in a pair of highly touted freshman safeties in Charles Boyett (6-1, 190) and Quinn Harris (6-0, 190).
At the cornerback position, the Aggies have impressive depth despite just one senior on the roster. Last season, coaches believe the best corner on the squad was Jonathan Perkins (5-11, 177). As a redshirt freshman he received All-Great West Conference Second Team honors after 39 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups. In 2011 he figures to be UC Davis' number one defender and one of the Great West's top corners.
Jonathan Calhoun (5-10, 195) will be the second starting corner, bringing experience to a talented group as the lone senior. Calhoun started in four out of seven games played last season and finished the season as a starter. He tallied 13 tackles and one interception in 2010 and has five career picks as an Aggie.
Sophomore Andre Allen (5-10, 185) has been having a solid fall camp and will be a fixture in the rotation at corner this season. Last year, as a true freshman, he played in nine games and started five at left corner after Marcus North went down with an injury. Allen posted 39 tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups.
The fourth spot at corner seems to be open for the taking but not for lack of talent. Junior Alex Hines (5-10, 178) is a transfer out of American River College. After joining during the spring, he could be an immediate contributor. Hines also adds versatility with experience as a return specialist.
Junior Fredrick Rice (5-11, 175) has been the consummate hard worker in his three years with the Aggies. Rice was able to step in when needed after multiple injuries to teammates. He ended up being a factor in 2010, appearing in six games and posting six tackles. Rice played in eight games as a reserve in 2009 and totaled five tackles for the season.
The coaching staff is also hopeful for the development of redshirt freshmen Jabari Howard (6-1, 175) and Garth Keffer (5-11, 165). Both players have shown extreme potential and with development will be solid contributors down the road.
Shamawn Wright (5-9, 170) is the lone true freshman joining the team this fall. As a senior at Antioch High School he recorded three interceptions and nine pass breakups, earning All-Bay Valley Athletic League first-team accolades.
First-year assistant coach Wes Nurse has taken over direction of the cornerbacks, while assistant coach Jeff Copp will lead the safeties. With an exciting and athletic group of defensive backs, look for the Aggies to severely impair the passing game of opposing offenses this season.
Season tickets are on sale and available through the campus Ticket Office at (530) 752-1915 or by visiting ucdavisaggies.com.
Position-By-Position Preview Schedule:
Offensive Line - Monday, Aug. 8
Defensive Line - Wednesday, Aug. 10
Quarterbacks - Friday, Aug. 12
Linebackers - Monday, Aug. 15
Wide Receivers - Wednesday, Aug. 17
Defensive Backs - Friday, Aug. 19
Running Backs - Monday, Aug. 22
Tight Ends - Wednesday, Aug. 24
Special Teams - Friday, Aug. 26
