University of North Texas Athletics
Mean Green Defensive Backfield Anything But Secondary
8/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
In anticipation of two-a-days tomorrow, MeanGreenSports.com breaks down the 2005
Replacing three of the four secondary starters from last season will be a monumental task for the Mean Green. But with the return of Preseason All-Sun Belt cornerbacks TJ Covington and Ja'Mel Branch, the defensive backfield will be in good hands in 2005.
The vocal leader of the secondary, TJ Covington returns for his senior season after a stellar 2004 campaign. Armed with blazing speed,
After missing the 2004 season, Ja’Mel Branch returns to the Mean Green on the opposite side of the ball. Branch was one of top receivers on the team for his first three seasons at
Deavin Cox saw plenty of action in his freshman year and even made a start last year against Baylor. With one of the top vertical leaps on the team, Cox could figure into the lineup at some point this year.
Transfer Gary Oubre fits well into
For the first time in four years the Mean Green secondary will be without perennial all-conference safeties Jonas Buckles and Markeith Knowlton. Buckles was the only player in Sun Belt history to be selected to the all-conference team in four consecutive years, and Knowlton led the team in interceptions for the past two seasons.
Up to the challenge of replacing the duo will be Cliff Higgs and Roderick Cotton. Higgs, a redshirt freshman, will be handed the reins at strong safety and looked impressive in spring drills. At 6-1, 222-pounds, the Sanger,
Cotton saw action in nine games last season and recorded six tackles for the Mean Green. An interception in the Green-White game capped off a stellar spring for the sophomore. Fellow sophomore Cass Starks will provide depth at free safety.
Often overlooked,
