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YSU secondary enjoys depth
Madison, Jones enter starting mix at safety
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
The YSU secondary picked off just three opposing passes season ago.
D.J. Smalls returned his lone interception for a 65-yard touchdown against South Dakota in Week No. 7 and is the only defensive returnee who recorded a pick, which doesn’t seem to bother new secondary coach D.J. Gomes because of the healthy competition created just two weeks into fall practice.
“I see a lot of improvement from the spring, so I am happy about that,” said Gomes after Tuesday’s practice at Stambaugh Stadium. “We gained guys like Zaire Jones, who’s been an excellent leader on top of the leaders we already have in Kyle Hegedus and D.J. Smalls.”
Last season as an assistant at Bowling Green State, Gomes’ defensive backs combined to break up 20 passes. He’s pleased with the competition currently taking place in camp.
“We have competition at safety with Hegedus, Jones, Jaelin Madison and a couple others while at the corners, there’s Bryce Gibson, Melvin Jackson and Devanere Crenshaw,” he said. “We’re in a pass-type world now with how many receivers a team plays so we’ll have to rotate defensive backs. Hopefully, we’ll play all those guys.”
Gibson is a true junior who has started all 22 games since stepping foot on the YSU campus in time for the 2017 campaign.
He finished third on the team a year ago with 42 total tackles (31 solos, 11 assists) including two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and 12 pass break-ups.
He appreciates the depth in this year’s defensive secondary.
“We’ve installed over 10 defenses and today had a little red zone period, which was very physical,” Gibson said. “We’re ahead of schedule and working hard every day to make sure that everything comes together. We have much more depth this year, which would give us a lot of rotation options.”
Head coach Bo Pelini, now in his fifth season at the helm, likes where his defense is headed.
“I like our defense. We’re throwing a lot at them and they’re getting better,” Pelini said. “They’re learning, understanding and the competition has been really good. I think we have some depth we didn’t have a year ago and really haven’t had the past two years, so I feel good about that area.”
YSU’s offense squares off against one of the nation’s best defenses each day in practice, which only creates a healthy competition according to Pelini.
“You’ve got to compete and compete every day,” Pelini said. “At times last year we were our own worst enemy. If we can take care of ourselves, keep getting better and keep learning then we’ll be fine.
“We need to stay the course and make use of every single practice, every rep. Each day is important.”
Pelini also appreciates the competition in the Penguins’ secondary.
“Today, I thought we did some good things both offensively and defensively,” he said. “I saw us competing, thought the physicality was good and I think we are getting better.
“I like our secondary as we have a number of guys competing for spots, playing time and to get into the two-deep. I’m seeing a lot of progress from them and they are getting better. They’re taking the coaching and while we’re not perfect yet, I’m seeing a lot of good things.”
A red-shirt sophomore, Jackson was a nickel back last season, played in all 11 games, registered 17 total tackles (15 solos) and was credited with two pass break-ups.
For him, he said there’s a big difference between last year’s fall camp and this year.
“Last year was more of a learning experience as I was still trying to adjust to the college game,” Jackson said. “Now, I’m picking up the speed of the game. It’s much different and that’s what we’ve been trying to teach the younger players.
“The game is different, so we are trying to get everyone acclimated. The older guys have done a pretty good job of teaching our plays to the younger guys. Everyone has been coachable, comprehending everything they need to do.”
Gomes said Gibson and Jackson have had excellent camps thus far.
“Bryce is back to playing how he did as a freshman and getting better each day,” Gomes said. “He’s locking in on his technique and when he plays with technique, can be a really good player.
“Melvin played a little last year. In the spring it was a learning curve for him as far as the technique I teach. Like Bryce, he’s been making plays and just has to stay consistent day in and day out.”