09/02/10- Brandon Harris, Jr, Miami, 5-11, 195 ``Brandon is exceptional in his work ethic,'' said defensive end Adewale Ojomo, a fourth-year junior. ``He's always in front of our line, and when we're sitting around in the locker room he always has something constructive, something positive to say. ``If a guy says something negative, Brandon will say, `Oh man, don't think like that, man. Don't say that. You have to think positive.' He's younger than me, so it amazes me to hear the things he says. He could have gone in the tank early, but he believed in himself.'' Linebacker Jordan Futch, who had his own struggles in recuperating from reconstructive knee surgery, is another Harris fan. ``Brandon Harris -- oh man, he's a hard worker, real hard,'' Futch said. ``This guy hits the motor and never stops. He's very enthusiastic. He's out here working extra. Sometimes you can see him here at night by himself, just working - cornerback drills, cone drills, sometimes just running to get in better shape.'' Harris studies business and said he wants to be an entrepreneur and get businesses created in Liberty City. He intends to one day give back financially to his neighborhood. His parents want him to leave UM with his degree, even if he turns pro early. Better yet, they would like him to stay all four years and work toward his master's. "I'm just so proud of watching him mature,'' Chonita said. "He's a special kid and he'll have a special season.'' - Susan Miller Degnan, The Miami Herald
09/02/10- Nickell Robey, Fr, Southern Cal, 5-08, 168 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: USC's strength is up front, starting with DT Jurrell Casey, a junior who seems poised for an All-American season. It's USC's secondary that could be under attack by Hawaii, though. The Warriors don't exactly have the scoreboard-breaking units they had under coach June Jones, but returning starting quarterback Bryant Moniz has a pair of talented receivers in Greg Salas and Kealoha Pilares. The Trojans will be breaking in true freshman Nickell Robey at one cornerback spot; Robey moved ahead of redshirt freshman Torin Harris in fall camp.
09/02/10- T.J. Bryant, Jr, Southern Cal, 6-0, 180 Cornerback T.J. Bryant needed surgery to fix his cheekbone as a result of a fight with starting fullback Stanley Havili at the end of a workout at which coaches weren't present. Bryant was competing for a starting spot, but recovery is expected to take at least three weeks, casting doubt on his availability for the Sept. 2 opener at Hawaii. Havili, a fifth-year senior, reportedly sparked the fight by urging players to finish a sprint relay. Shouting turned to shoving and led to punches being thrown, coach Lane Kiffin said. "When emotions are high," Havili said, "intelligence is down."
09/02/10- Stephon Gilmore, So, South Carolina, 6-1, 188 BREAKOUT STAR: CB Stephon Gilmore - Starting every game at cornerback as a freshman, Gilmore was so impressive that he was named to several Freshmen All-American teams. He is a preseason All-SEC selection and was named a preseason All-American by several publications. He also led his team to a touchdown against Clemson, playing quarterback in the team's version of the Wildcat formation. "Stephon Gilmore is a guy who could have gone to any school in the country, but chose to come to the University of South Carolina," coach Steve Spurrier said. "Ever since he arrived on campus he has done everything we have asked, starting all 13 games as a freshman. We expect even bigger things from him this year."
09/02/10- Deron Wilson, Fr, Southern Miss, 5-10, 167 NEWCOMER TO WATCH: CB Deron Wilson - Last year the Golden Eagles ranked 109th nationally in pass defense, so the backfield needs some help. Wilson is the youngest player on the respected defense and plays a position that needs consistency. If he doesn't deliver early, there could be a revolving door of backs trying to fill that role.
09/02/10- Latwan Anderson, Fr, Miami, 5-11, 185 DB Latwan Anderson, who is on a track scholarship, joined workouts for the first time along with DL David Perry just four days before the opener. Anderson had 14 interceptions as a high school senior.
09/02/10- DeQuan Bembry, rJr, Marshall, 5-10, 182 Projected starting cornerback DeQuan Bembry was kicked off the team after his fourth arrest in 16 months. Senior D.J Wingate is expected to take his place. Bembry had 53 tackles and three interceptions last season.
09/02/10- Randall Burden, rJr, Kentucky, 6-0, 187 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Kentucky's defense is in transition after heavy personnel losses, and there's no telling how the unit will fare in its first 2010 test. Stopping the run was a problem for the Wildcats last season, so faring well against Louisville's Victor Anderson, who rushed for 110 yards against Kentucky last season, will be a crucial element. Cardinals quarterback Adam Froman was up-and-down last season and will be making his first appearance in the progressive system of new offensive coordinator Mike Sanford. Starting cornerbacks Randall Burden and Martavious Neloms will certainly be tested.
09/02/10- Paul Warford, rSr, Kentucky, 5-10, 206 CB Paul Warford, a three-year starter, is academically ineligible for the 2010 season, ending his career. Academic issues are nothing new for Warford, who missed the 2008 season because of being academically ineligible.
09/02/10- J.T. Turner, rFr, Michigan, 6-2, 197 CB J.T. Turner, the top rated recruit in Ohio in 2009, left the Michigan team during pre-season camp. He was expected to be a backup this season, but abruptly sought a release from his scholarship.
09/02/10- Troy Woolfolk, rSr, Michigan, 6-0, 198 CB Troy Woolfolk suffered a dislocated ankle and broken bone in his leg in practice, and is lost for the season following surgery to repair the damage.
09/02/10- Nathan Enriquez, rSo, New Mexico, 5-11, 178 Sophomore CB Nathan Enriquez, a part-time starter last season, was dismissed for a violation of team rules.
09/01/10- Ricardo Allen, Fr, Purdue, 5-09, 172 PLAYERS TO WATCH: CB Ricardo Allen - The true freshman is expected to be in the starting lineup and he's earned his spot. The native of Daytona Beach, Fla., is small at 5-foot-9 but brings a physical element to defending receivers.
09/01/10- Darrin Walls, rSr, Notre Dame, 6-0, 185 THIS WEEK'S GAME: Purdue at Notre Dame, Sept. 4 - The entire first month of the season is tricky for the Irish, who might do well to go 2-2. There isn't an elite opponent coming up in September, but each of the four games -- Purdue, Michigan, at Michigan State, Stanford -- is definitely losable. The Irish played each of these four teams last season, going 2-2 in a series of close games. KEYS TO THE GAME: In what should be a tight game filled with quarterback X-factors, the Notre Dame secondary is going to have to come up big against QB Robert Marve and WR Keith Smith. Cornerbacks Gary Gray, Darrin Walls and Robert Blanton will see plenty of time against the Boilermakers, but things could get problematic if Notre Dame has to go deeper to cover Purdue's spread.
09/01/10- Jarrett Ben, Jr, Rice, 5-10, 170 Junior corner back Jarrett Ben has decided to redshirt this season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
09/01/10- Parker Orms, rFr, Colorado, 5-11, 180 NEWCOMER TO WATCH: FS Parker Orms - The redshirt freshman is as much a feel-good story as anything else. Although lightly regarded, he covered the field like no one else during spring camp and will be tough to keep out of any rotation the Buffs employ in the secondary. He was given the Hale Irwin Award (yes, the pro golfer) last spring as the most improved defensive back during camp. Orms' aggressive style could especially pay off on special teams, where the Buffs have had trouble covering kicks.
09/01/10- Reggie Rembert, Sr, Air Force, 5-08, 185 THIS WEEK'S GAME: Northwestern State at Air Force, Sept. 4 -- In Air Force's season opener, the Falcons have what should be an easy game. The Demons, a FCS division team, went 0-11 last year. The Falcons have to be careful not to completely look forward, with a huge home game against BYU waiting for them on Sept. 11. The coaching staff has taken a serious approach this week, so the players should remain focused. KEYS TO THE GAME: The only way Air Force will lose is if it makes a massive amount of mistakes, from turnovers to special-teams blunders. This team is too well coached to implode like that. If the Falcons get a big early lead, expect a lot of freshmen to get a taste of game action in the second half. PLAYERS TO WATCH: CB Reggie Rembert - Northwestern State does like to throw the ball, and with Anthony Wright questionable with an injury to his ribs, Rembert is clearly the top cornerback remaining for Air Force. He is capable of making a huge play on defense, or returning punts. QUOTE TO NOTE: "Appalachian State, right? You have to be on your Ps and Qs when you're going against anybody in Division I football." - CB Reggie Rembert on not overlooking a FCS opponent.
09/01/10- Aaron Williams, Jr, Texas, 6-1, 192 BREAKOUT PLAYER: DB Aaron Williams - Texas coaches have been hesitant to put him in a starting role on the depth chart, but expect him to receive plenty of playing time at cornerback and nickel-back. His natural pass-coverage skills blossomed last season when he produced 44 tackles, eight pass deflections, three interceptions, two sacks and helped the Longhorns lead the nation in interceptions and turnovers. He could become the standout player in Texas' talented secondary if he builds on that season.
09/01/10- Anthony Wright, Jr., Jr, Air Force, 5-10, 190 CB Anthony Wright started training camp by intercepting two passes in the first practice. He's coming off a fantastic 2009 season, and wanted to send the message that nobody should be resting on previous accomplishments. "I just got off to a fast start, wanted to set the tone for the defense and let them know it's a new season," Wright said. "We can build on what we did last year, but we can't sit on what we did last year."
09/01/10- Reggie Rembert, Sr, Air Force, 5-08, 185 The Mountain West's top three teams have been tough to beat, but Air Force might be ready to break into that group. Coming off an 8-5 record with an impressive victory over Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl, the Falcons have a lot of momentum. The Falcons also have a lot of talent -- almost all of their skill-position talent is back, as is the very talented secondary. There are some areas to address, most notably an offensive line that lost all five starters. But confidence is high at Air Force. "I'd honestly like to win the conference. And I honestly think we can do that," cornerback Reggie Rembert said. "We just have to keep working hard and be disciplined and be where we need to be."Rembert is always confident, but he has reason to feel good about the Falcons' chances of at least cracking into the top three of TCU, BYU and Utah. The fantastic performance against Houston in the bowl got the attention of at least one team in that top three. "One of the games you have to watch closely, because it's early in the year and BYU has a young quarterback, is the BYU game against Air Force -- and it's at Air Force," TCU coach Patterson said. "You.ve got an experienced Air Force team, BYU is on the road, and it's a tough place to play anyway. See how that game turns out. If Air Force can win that ballgame, that gives them an unbelievable confidence level going into the rest of their season. I'm glad we're playing them at home.
09/01/10- Jered Bell, Fr, Colorado, 6-1, 185 CU coach Dan Hawkins identified five true freshmen who will play this season, while noting others could also step up. The five are TB Justin Torres, DE Chidero Uzo-Diribe, CB Jered Bell, WR Paul Richardson and LS Ryan Iverson.
09/01/10- Jimmy Smith, rSr, Colorado, 6-2, 205 THIS WEEK'S GAME: Colorado vs. Colorado State, at Denver, Sept. 4 - This figures to be a game Colorado can win, though no assurances exist after the Buffs were upset in the in-state rivalry last season. Colorado coach Dan Hawkins refuses to make a big deal out of the no-win situation the Buffs face against a nearby rival that plays in a league outside the power-six. Still, that perception exists, and a loss could cause the wolves to howl early with Hawkins already on the hot seat starting his fifth season. Playing the game in an NFL stadium, Invesco Field, adds to the drama. The atmosphere, coupled with last season's loss, should inspire Colorado. If not, it could be another long season. A 10-year extension to the series, which will remain in Denver through 2019, was finalized last year. KEYS TO THE GAME: The Rams will start a true freshman at quarterback, Pete Thomas. While Colorado coach Dan Hawkins downplays any desires to pressure the rookie QB, the Buffs figure to bring heat (they recorded at least one sack in every game last season) while counting on an experienced secondary to handle any one-on-one matchups in the back end. Colorado could counter through the air, too. Colorado State ranked eighth in pass defense in the nine-team Mountain West a year ago, allowing 235.7 passing yards on average. Still, one of the weaknesses for the Buffs in their loss against the Rams last season was the inability to run the ball effectively.
09/01/10- Jalil Brown, Sr, Colorado, 6-0, 202 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Experience in the secondary will make Colorado a tough defense to throw on -- provided the line generates pressure. The Buffs feature two veteran cornerbacks, Jalil Brown and Jimmy Smith. The leader along the defensive front is DE Marquez Herrod. This figures to be a well-rounded group, though it needs a quick start to overcome the doubts that lingered early last season when Colorado dipped to 0-2 after allowing 54 points at Toledo.
09/01/10- Jimmy Smith, rSr, Colorado, 6-2, 205 Seven starters return defensively, with experience in every position group. After ranking last in the Big 12 with a minus-6 turnover margin a year ago, the Buffs may be able to break on passes more and take more chances at interceptions with a pair of experienced cornerbacks, Jalil Brown and Jimmy Smith. In the large picture, it could be a make or break season for Hawkins himself. The coach has seldom dwelled publicly, however, on his situation. Attempting to move forward is the stance he maintained throughout the offseason, while recognizing Colorado again plays a difficult nonconference schedule with Colorado State, California, Hawaii and Georgia. "For us, that's been the whole concept: Let's look at this thing from an objective standpoint of what's really affected the wins and losses," Hawkins said. "It hasn't been so much (on) rallying as it has been pointing things out and learning and getting better." CB Jimmy Smith, a senior, was one of 35 defensive backs named to the preseason watch list for the Thorpe Award. The two-year starter had 70 tackles, 10 breakups and two interceptions last season.
09/01/10- Anthony Wright, Jr., Jr, Air Force, 5-10, 190 Starting CB Anthony Wright has injured ribs. He won't be held out this week if he is healthy, but that is still up in the air. He should be fully healthy by Week 2.
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