[BJWilliams]

Only two more units left to go before the opener. With training camp opening soon (and Big South Media Day coming up on Wednesday, and our intrepid scribe will be in attendance...and hopefully polishing up his golf game), this week we're looking at probably the only real questionable area on the defensive side, and that is the defensive backfield

Players Returning:
Larry Claiborne (R-Senior) 40 Tackles (25 Solo) 1.5 TFL 1 FR
Chris Mayo 37 Tackles (20 Solo) 4.0 TFL 2.0 Sacks 1 INT
Kevin Fogg 33 Tackles (26 Solo) 3.5 TFL 2.0 Sacks 2.0 INT 1 FR
Brandon Robinson 29 Tackles (13 Solo) 2.0 TFL 0 INT
Brent Vinson 25 Tackles (13 Solo) 1 INT
Kajuan Lee 17 Tackles (12 Solo) 0 INT
Ron Hobby 11 Tackles (9 Solo) 0 INT
Pierre Hawkes 7 Tackles (6 Solo) 1 INT
Aaron Dial 1 Tackle
Sorie Bayoh No 2010 Statistics
D.J. Edmond 2 Tackles (1 Solo)
Thomas Nelson No 2010 Statistics
Kenny Scott No 2010 Statistics (Redshirt)
Randy Spann No 2010 Statistics (Redshirt)
Jacob Hagen No 2010 Statistics (Redshirt)

Players Lost
Donald Manns (graduation)
Danny Broggin (graduation)
Corey Lillard (reason unknown)

Players Incoming
Walt Aikens 6-1 200 Lbs (Harding HS/University of Illinois)
Lewis Bailey 5-9 190 Lbs (Chelmsford HS)
Jeffrey Henderson 6-0 210 Lbs (SE Raleigh HS/North Carolina Central)
Ricky Kyles 6-2 190 Lbs (Stonewall Jackson HS/Naval Academy)
Kirby Anderson 5-10 170 Lbs (Amherst County HS)
Miles Hunter 5-10 190 Lbs (Caesar Rodney HS)

(Note: Brent Vinson and D.J. Edmond are actually playing the position that most fans of Liberty know as the "adjuster" which is more of a LB/DB Hybrid, but since they were listed as DBs on the roster, I decided to include them in this particular writeup)

As said up top, this was probably the most questionable area coming into 2011 on the defensive side. There were quite a few games where the defensive backfield was burned severely, most notably the Coastal Carolina and Robert Morris games. The addition of Walt Aikens from Illinois can only be a BIG help, as he showed extremely well in spring practice, often matching up against All-American WR Chris Summers. He probably will be a starter from day one in training camp along with Lee, Claiborne and probably Kevin Fogg. If the OL is the unit that will direct the course of the offense, the play of the defensive backs will probably dictate whether Liberty makes the playoffs this year or not.

[jcmanson]

this week we're looking at probably the only real questionable area on the defensive side, and that is the defensive backfield

I will say that our defensive backfield is the most proven and least questionable area on the defensive side.

[BigAl57]

this week we're looking at probably the only real questionable area on the defensive side, and that is the defensive backfield

I will say that our defensive backfield is the most proven and least questionable area on the defensive side.

Agreed. I would say that they will be the strenghth of our defense this year.

[BJWilliams]

I called the DBs questionable because of the penchant to get burned when it mattered the most (as was the case on a couple occasions in 09 and 10). Aikens showed extremely well in spring ball (especially in the spring game) and he will probably be matched up #1 to #1 when he is on the field. Claiborne has really come into his own the last couple years and with Manns graduating he and Lee are the most experienced guys in the defensive backfield (as far as games played for LU. If the four I mentioned really play well, I wouldnt be surprised to see one maybe two of them make all conference come end of the year.

[jcmanson]

Don't forget Brandon Robinson, Kevin Fogg, and Chris Mayo.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Jeffrey Henderson get some quality PT. He was a starter at NC Central.

Then we have all of our other Redshirts and newcomers that we haven't seen play.

Plenty of depth and experience at DB.

[BJWilliams]

Indeed jc. with as much as is coming back in the defensive backfield I hope that the fact that I listed them as the only real questionable area on the defense is a sign that we could see some very low numbers on the opponent's site this season

[BJWilliams]

With the late breaking news of Ryan Ayers (formerly of Georgia Tech) transferring to the mountain it will add another nice wrinkle to the battle in the backfield. If nothing else, the competition that this will breed will help further improve this unit.