Bearcat Football - a look at the defensive backs

The last line of defense for the 2018 Northwest Missouri State Bearcat football team will again be the defensive backfield headed by fourth-year assistant coachClayton's coaching last season saw the Bearcat defense rank first in the nation in scoring defense (9.3 ppg), total defense (212.8 yards/game), blocked punts (7) and third down conversion defense (19.9 percent). The Northwest defense had three players named to the All-MIAA First Team including senior defensive backJones earned first-team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association. Jones tied a career-high with 15 passes defended in 2017, leading one of the nation's top ranked defenses. He becomes the 16th individual to earn AFCA All-America honors in Northwest history. In 12 games at cornerback, Jones recorded 33 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. He had one forced fumble and also recorded an interception."Marcus had a great senior year," Clayton said. "He had an All-America season. We will miss him, but we've got some guys ready to step up."Clayton said taking care of business is important if the 2018 season will be successful."We can't give up big plays with blown coverages," Clayton said. "Our communication has to be good and our techniques have to be sound. Then we have tackle people. The key is to have everyone on the same page and getting used to talking to each other on the field. Our eye discipline is important too. We need our guys reading the receivers and not peeking into the backfield."The 2018 Bearcats return a pair of starters in senior safety(Lee's Summit, Mo.) and senior cornerback(Riviera Beach, Fla.)."It will be big for us to rely on the leadership of both Jack and Anthony," Clayton said. "Jack started virtually every game for us last year and Anthony will be a three-year starter for us."Lane led the Bearcats last season with three interceptions, while earning second-team All-MIAA honors. Lane posted 36 tackles including 24 solo stops in 2017. Lane has posted five career interceptions and 75 career tackles. Lane's strip sack and fumble recovery in the fourth quarter against Central Missouri last season keyed a win for the Bearcats.Richards has appeared in 30 career games and has accumulated 65 tackles and a pair of interceptions. His interception last season came in the fourth quarter of Northwest's 24-20 victory over Central Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium.Clayton said there is good competition for the starting and backup slots in the defensive backfield.Sophomore(Fort Myers, Fla.) appeared in six games in 2017. He recorded three tackles and picked off a pass, while also seeing some action on offense that included five rushing attempts and two pass receptions."J'Ravien is a great athlete," Clayton said. "He's got great cover skills and possesses great feet. He played both sides of the ball last year, but he came in as a corner and that's where we have him heading into fall camp."Junior college transfer(Sun City, Ariz.) will have two years of eligibility remaining beginning this fall. Green joins the Bearcats after two seasons at Phoenix College."Jerrell has fit in well since joining us," Clayton said. "He has worked hard and will compete for a starting job.Sophomore(Omaha, Neb.) got a chance in the NCAA Div. II playoffs last season and picked off a pair of passes against Ashland. Clayton said Hall played a lot of nickel defensive back last season and has developed into an every down cornerback for the Bearcats.Junior(Lake Worth, Fla.) returns to the field after taking a season off. Pierre recorded three tackles and three pass breakups in the 2016 national championship victory over North Alabama. Pierre has played in 26 games and has racked up 13 tackles and interception return for a touchdown.Junior safety(Kearney, Mo.) has gained plenty of experience in his first two playing seasons for the Bearcats. Gassman saw action in 11 games in 2016 and six games in 2017 before going down with an injury."Jacob has played as much as a starter in each of his first two years," Clayton said. "He has all the physical tools. He has had a great summer."Redshirt freshman safety(Albia, Iowa) played in nine games last season and he started against Ashland in the NCAA Div. II playoff game. Bayer notched 21 tackles and 1.5 tackles-for-loss last year.Senior safety(Maryville, Mo.) looks to return to form after suffering an ACL tear in fall camp last year, which cost him his entire 2017 season.Redshirt freshman(Grimes, Iowa) has a high ceiling and can help the Bearcats in 2018, according to Clayton.When it comes to recruiting defensive backs, Clayton said he looks at a variety of different aspects but it comes down to a love of football."We look at the mental makeup – how cerebral they are," Clayton said. "We look at how they respond to adversity. When they watch film are they able to understand football and are they able to think on their own. Toughness is another factor for us. We want them to be physically tough but also mentally tough. Can they get off a block? Can they challenge wide receivers? They also need to have a passion for the game of football. Do they love practice and do they love football? We want them to play hard, be relentless, persistent and never give up."Clayton said coaching the Bearcats has been a great experience for him."I went to school here and I played here," Clayton said. "I love Northwest. All the people that have touched this program know that they owe it to this place to make it as good as it can be. We get to recruit and coach great kids. Then you see them reach their goals and accomplish so much. At the end of the day, it's very rewarding at a place like this."Northwest will open the 2018 football season at home on Thurs., Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. against Missouri Western. For ticket information call 660-562-1212 or visit www.bearcatsports.com/tickets.