Corners to carry much of the load

By Pete Mollica

Da’Angelo Wilson and Jarvis Richards are looking forward to leadership roles in the secondary.

YOUNGSTOWN — A year ago the strength of the Youngstown State football secondary was in the safety position, while the Penguins were forced to go with inexperience at the cornerback positions.

Graduation took away three talented safeties in Vince Gliatta, Dorian Chenault and Bob Perez, but those inexperienced cornerbacks are now returning with a year of experience under their belts.

Two seniors, who will be expecting to carry much of the load this year, are Da’Angelo Wilson and Jarvis Richards, and both are looking forward to their leadership roles in the secondary.

Wilson (5-foot-10, 190 pounds), from Sacramento, Calif., transferred to YSU last summer after playing two seasons at the University of Nevada. He moved right into a starting spot with the Penguins and was named to the All-Gateway Conference newcomer team.

Richards (5-11, 195), from Daytona Beach, Fla., is a three-year letter winner with the Penguins, and although he’s played in every game since his freshman season, most of his first two years were spent on special teams.

“We’re the seniors now and we’ve got to step up and take over that role this year,” said Wilson. “We’re not big back there, but we have great quickness and we have to do everything that we can to use that quickness to our advantage.”

Even though the defense lost a lot of talent through graduation, Wilson feels that there are promising newcomers this season.

“There are a lot of young cats coming up that have talent,” he said. “We’ve got three safeties, two who played some last year, and one who didn’t who will blend right in this year.”

Wilson finished last season with 39 total tackles, 21 of them solo hits, and he had five pass breakups and two interceptions, one that he returned 34 yards against Stony Brook. He also blocked a field goal and had a season-high eight tackles against Missouri State.

He’s also an outstanding return specialist. Last year he ranked 29th in the nation in punt returns, averaging 10.5 yards on 27 attempts, and also returned 11 kickoffs. His punt return total of 284 yards ranks third all-time in YSU history.

“I love offense, that’s what I played in high school and any time I can get my hands on the football I want it,” Wilson said.

Although Richards looks forward to his leadership role, he knows it’s not an easy task.

“We have some young talented players coming up this year and we need to work with them and show them what needs to be done,” he said. “We have to work with them, spend time with them watching film, you can never spend enough time watching film.”

Richards said the leadership role doesn’t end there.

“You also need to improve yourself and you have to show the younger guys through example of what it takes out on the field and you also have to take care of things in the classroom and keep up your grades.”

Richards finished sixth on the team in total tackles last season with 53, including 39 solos and two sacks. He had one fumble recovery, one interception and five pass breakups.

The Penguins completed their third and final day of non-contact work Saturday morning and will hold their first full contact practice today at 3:30 p.m.

Coach Jon Heacock, who has been pleased with the first three days of workouts, said that the Penguins would hold a short 20-play scrimmage at the close of today’s session.

mollica@vindy.com