Pour One Out for Mickens
That dude really develops DBs. I've been watching ND football for a long time, and I can't think of a time that our DBs were this athletic and this disciplined (maybe the 1992 team with Bobby Taylor, Tom Carter and crew). It's pretty remarkable. I'm not sure how we've kept him this long; he's definitely ready for a step up.
Replies to: Pour One Out for Mickens
He's ready, WHEN WE SAY HE'S READY!!! Hoping he just wants to stay to see the picture develop.
(no message)
Good analysis
We haven't had this deep and well-developed defensive back corps since that 1992 season, for sure. Maybe the 1988 team could match the depth as well.
Just as an example of how deep that 1992 defensive backfield was, when Bobby Taylor seized the free safety spot as a true frosh, that bumped Jeff Burris to strong safety (1st round pick) and John "Shaft" Covington (who happened to be a 5th round draft pick) to the nickel back role. We also had Shawn Wooden waiting in the wings, along with Brian Magee.
Those were the days where we could freely substitute out defensive backs, and the group stayed fresh. Until this year, I don't recall a time where we could freely substitute and not worry about the overall strength of the defensive backfield getting weaker.