Spring Football Preview Part V - Cornerbacks
Courtesy: University of North Texas
Release: 04/04/2009

Cornerbacks

If there is one area of the Mean Green secondary that grew up during the year last season it was the cornerbacks. Senior Antoine Bush has taken the mantle of “lock down” cornerback but opposite his side last year was a wide eyed freshman in Royce Hill. It was a struggle for the first few weeks but the final four weeks of the season saw the Mean Green pass defense allow just 224 yards through the air to go along with seven interceptions. Compare that to the first eight weeks of the year that had North Texas give up over 344 yards a game with just two interceptions, and the improvement down the stretch was easy to seen.

Bush is in line for another all-conference season as he has 31 starts since his freshman season and is the veteran presence that North Texas has needed.

Hill, after getting picked on through the first month of the season, gained confidence and began showing his playmaking abilities towards the end of the 2008 season. Hill has made tremendous strides and enters the season with a confidence and consistency that the coaches have not previously seen.

After missing the first three games of the season, Adryan Adams made his way into lineup and had an immediate impact. He finished the year with 25 tackles but provided much needed depth and will be counted on heading into the 2009 season. Newcomers Ira Smith and Justin Chatman can also be talked about making their way into the rotation after spring ball has shown their abilities.

Smith is a highly touted cornerback who brings blazing speed to the secondary along with a championship pedigree. He was quite active in the spring making numerous plays that has caught the attention of many. Chatman is a transfer who has returned to the metroplex area after spending a season at Minnesota. Chris Neal contributed on special teams and will battle to help round out the two-deep roster heading into the fall.