Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Murray State Sports Information
Racers Secondary Combines Experience and Newcomers for 2011
8/9/2011 5:19:00 PM | Football
PHOTO GALLERY
After a season of questions in the secondary, Murray State enters the 2011 season with experience on the outside. But, the Racers will also be breaking in a pair of new safeties.
The unit is led by preseason all-conference defensive back Dontrell Johnson. The Moultrie, Ga., native started all 11 games at corner in his first year as a Racer. He finished second on the team with 67 tackles and two interceptions, while leading the team with eight pass break-ups. He also registered 7.5 tackles-for-loss. Johnson recorded his first interception against Eastern Kentucky, and then followed it up two weeks later by returning an interception 25 yards for a touchdown against Austin Peay.
Sophomore Darrian Skinner put together one of the best Spring's and has followed it up with an impressive start to this season. Skinner had the distinction of starting a game on each side of the ball last season. He finished the year with five tackles and a pass break-up.
The Racers added depth at corner last semester with the addition of junior college All-American Victor Daniels. Daniels enrolled in January and got accustomed to the Racers style during spring practice. So far in camp, Daniels has showed the coaches why he received the honors in junior college.
Senior Lamar Hall moves back to corner this season after serving as a safety a season ago. Hall spent his first two seasons as a corner and intercepted three passes as a true freshman.
Junior college transfer Darius Buck is the leading candidate at one safety spot, while transfer Julian Whitehead is the leading candidate at the other spot.
Buck spent two years as a starter at Southwest Mississippi Community College before enrolling at MSU in January. As a sophomore, Buck registered 72 tackles and an interception. Buck picked off four passes as a freshman.
Whitehead joined the Racers this summer after spending the previous two years at Mississippi. He appeared in eight games a season ago, after redshirting in 2008. Prior to his time at Ole Miss, Whitehead spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy, and was rated as the No. 33 prep school player by Rivals.com.
Senior Dexter Barnett has been working at safety the past few days to add depth at that position. He spent the majority of last season as a wide receiver, after transferring from UAB as a running back.
Junior college transfer Eric Brown, along with true freshman Christian Duncan and Breeon Moreno will add depth at the safety positions.
Tuesday Practice Notes
• The Racers practiced in the afternoon for the third time. It marked the first time that a practice was scheduled for the afternoon, instead of being altered due to weather.
• Tuesday's practice was also the 3rd practice in full pads.
• The first-team defense forced a three-and-out during the first team series.
• Wide receiver Walter Powell hauled in a pass from quarterback Graham Craig, made a couple guys miss, and outran the rest to the endzone.
• Cornerback Darrian Skinner intercepted a pass in the endzone to stop the third drive.
• Safety Christian Duncan recovered a fumble on the final of practice.
After a season of questions in the secondary, Murray State enters the 2011 season with experience on the outside. But, the Racers will also be breaking in a pair of new safeties.
The unit is led by preseason all-conference defensive back Dontrell Johnson. The Moultrie, Ga., native started all 11 games at corner in his first year as a Racer. He finished second on the team with 67 tackles and two interceptions, while leading the team with eight pass break-ups. He also registered 7.5 tackles-for-loss. Johnson recorded his first interception against Eastern Kentucky, and then followed it up two weeks later by returning an interception 25 yards for a touchdown against Austin Peay.
Sophomore Darrian Skinner put together one of the best Spring's and has followed it up with an impressive start to this season. Skinner had the distinction of starting a game on each side of the ball last season. He finished the year with five tackles and a pass break-up.
The Racers added depth at corner last semester with the addition of junior college All-American Victor Daniels. Daniels enrolled in January and got accustomed to the Racers style during spring practice. So far in camp, Daniels has showed the coaches why he received the honors in junior college.
Senior Lamar Hall moves back to corner this season after serving as a safety a season ago. Hall spent his first two seasons as a corner and intercepted three passes as a true freshman.
Junior college transfer Darius Buck is the leading candidate at one safety spot, while transfer Julian Whitehead is the leading candidate at the other spot.
Buck spent two years as a starter at Southwest Mississippi Community College before enrolling at MSU in January. As a sophomore, Buck registered 72 tackles and an interception. Buck picked off four passes as a freshman.
Whitehead joined the Racers this summer after spending the previous two years at Mississippi. He appeared in eight games a season ago, after redshirting in 2008. Prior to his time at Ole Miss, Whitehead spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy, and was rated as the No. 33 prep school player by Rivals.com.
Senior Dexter Barnett has been working at safety the past few days to add depth at that position. He spent the majority of last season as a wide receiver, after transferring from UAB as a running back.
Junior college transfer Eric Brown, along with true freshman Christian Duncan and Breeon Moreno will add depth at the safety positions.
Tuesday Practice Notes
• The Racers practiced in the afternoon for the third time. It marked the first time that a practice was scheduled for the afternoon, instead of being altered due to weather.
• Tuesday's practice was also the 3rd practice in full pads.
• The first-team defense forced a three-and-out during the first team series.
• Wide receiver Walter Powell hauled in a pass from quarterback Graham Craig, made a couple guys miss, and outran the rest to the endzone.
• Cornerback Darrian Skinner intercepted a pass in the endzone to stop the third drive.
• Safety Christian Duncan recovered a fumble on the final of practice.
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