Defensive backs usually need a year or two of practice and seasoning to be ready to play as starters. Players such as Cam Hart, Mike Richardson, Shawn Wooden, etc., all needed a couple of years of mulligans to get ready for the big stage, and in each of their last two years, they did quite well.
I guess we simply got used to freshmen stepping in and playing like polished veterans.
Ben Morrison stepped in and seized that starting CB spot in 2022.
Leonard Moore grabbed Morrison's spot after he went down with injury, and I notice no difference in coverage strength on his part.
Christian Gray is a true sophomore, and has played very well almost all of the time. If anything, I'd put his coverage skills on par with Tom Carter's when he was a sophomore in 1991.
Carter got burnt more often, but that was because of a terrible lack of pass rush that year.
After another off-season, and more film study, I think Gray is going to have a fantastic season in 2025.
Considering that we're starting a true freshman and two true sophomores in the defensive backfield (Moore, Gray, Shuler) in addition to the main man (Watts), I think we're in a very nice position for next year.
We've been wonderfully spoiled by having freshman phenoms step in and start at CB
Replies to: "We've been wonderfully spoiled by having freshman phenoms step in and start at CB"
- I'm a little surprised teams have had success picking on Gray. At the same time I think it will play - oldirish - 9:31pm 1/7/25
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- I was thinking would Golden get him out just to calm him down. - koreasam - 8:50pm 1/8/25
- We've been wonderfully spoiled by having freshman phenoms step in and start at CB - ndunabomber - 1:03pm 1/8/25
- Morrison's injury made Gray have to play in a position earlier than was ideal. So, for me the - FoolBear - 11:30am 1/8/25
- He is a warrior. Full of confidence. ND + God dude! [NT] - KWIRISH - 9:13am 1/8/25
- I am not even thinking about next year yet. I think and am hopeful he will play as well as he was - THEISMANCARR - 2:36am 1/8/25
- My honest thought is, if we get 1-2 "LEGIT" DTs from somewhere.. - Chrisb - 10:38pm 1/7/25
- I would agree with this. It's going to be a strong D next year. It is now, but even more so. [NT] - oldirish - 4:52pm 1/8/25
- i’ve always thought things were pointing to 25 being great. Much tougher schedule, but the Ol, RB, - WestCoastIrishFan - 7:24am 1/8/25
- The one question mark is QB. Will it be a step back in leadership and production, or a continuation - FoolBear - 11:41am 1/8/25
- Coaching is the 1 thing that will be affected by success. Saban had a lot of people come and go but - ndphysics - 8:32am 1/8/25
- If I'm one of the defensive coaches, I soak up as much from Golden as humanly possible. [NT]
- WestCoastIrishFan - 8:59am 1/8/25
- Mickens has been mentioned as a DC candidate I think. Might even be a candidate at - ndphysics - 10:42am 1/8/25
- If I'm one of the defensive coaches, I soak up as much from Golden as humanly possible. [NT]
- WestCoastIrishFan - 8:59am 1/8/25
- Outside of USC, have they had success? - NDNEIL - 10:10pm 1/7/25
- Even in the Sugar Bowl, he had good coverage - ndunabomber - 10:21pm 1/7/25
- "Success" and "Picking On" are very relative terms here - ND defense utterly dominant - Turkish - 9:52pm 1/7/25
- The Defense has been amazing. I think you may have misunderstood the post? [NT]
- oldirish - 9:54pm 1/7/25
- Offenses have to throw to someone, so they do target Gray's side. It hasn't really worked though - Turkish - 10:04pm 1/7/25
- The Defense has been amazing. I think you may have misunderstood the post? [NT]
- oldirish - 9:54pm 1/7/25