Aggie Football Notebook: The Secondary

By: Anthony Esparza

There are going to be significant voids to fill in the New Mexico State secondary in 2012.

The Aggies lost five seniors from last year’s unit, including Donaye Coleman and Jonte Green.

Coleman had a standout year for NMSU in 2011. The Aggie safety recorded 133 tackles, six interceptions and three fumble recoveries last season, and earned All-WAC First Team honors. Coleman’s production garnered the attention of NFL scouts, as he was signed as free agent by the Arizona Cardinals.

Green also had a productive year for the Aggie defense, finishing with 70 tackles, two pass break-ups and a sack. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the 196^th pick in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.

The Aggies also lost safety Ben Bradley and defensive back Courtney Viney. Bradley finished second on the team in tackles with 94, and broke up three passes last year. Viney played in 13 games and recorded 75 tackles and four pass break-ups.

Despite the losses, the NMSU secondary does have quality players returning; as well as, junior college players looking to earn immediate playing time. 

Senior Jeremy Harris is one of the returning players looking for a larger role on the defense this season. Last year, Harris recorded 27 tackles and two pass break-ups in his first season at NMSU after transferring from East Los Angeles Junior College.

Darien Johnson returns for his junior year after a solid 2011 season, in which he finished with 40 tackles and a pair of pass break-ups. Listed at 5-feet-9-inches, Johnson is undersized for his position but can still contribute to the defense.

Look for a pair of junior-college transfers to compete for playing time in the Aggie secondary.

Cameron Fuller recorded 21 tackles and ten pass break-ups in his one season at Contra Costa College. The 5-foot-11-inch cornerback also intercepted three passes for 64 yards and a touchdown, and was named to the second team all-league.

Dele Junaid’s college football career has been an interesting journey. The 6-foot-1-inch defensive back started his collegiate career by spending two seasons at Ole Miss, where he saw limited playing time. He then transferred to Eastern Arizona, where he recorded 32 tackles in six games.

The competition for playing time makes the secondary one of the more intriguing groups to watch in fall camp, as the Aggies look to retool the defense as whole.

Aggie Pass Defense by the Numbers in 2011

Total Passing Yards Allowed: 3, 164 (5^th in WAC)

Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 243.4 (4^th in WAC)

Passing Touchdowns Allowed: 26 (3^rd most in WAC)

Interceptions: 10 (5^th in WAC)