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SJSU Position Group Preview: DB’s
Who will be playing in the defensive backfield for San Jose State?
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San Jose State will have to replace three starting defensive backs from last season. Maurice McKnight is currently playing in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimoes and the only the Spartan to be drafted this year, Jermaine Kelly will also have to be replaced at corner. Last season’s other corner, Andre Chachere, is now trying to make the Houston Texans roster.
All three former players were multiple year starters so the new defensive backfield will not have been tested before so it may be a work in progress during the season. Bill Conley points out that 9 players recorded at least 21 tackles last season so it will be interesting to see how the defense falls into place.
Some of the names that will be in the mix to be starters this season include senior corner Dakari Monroe, sophomore corner Tre Webb, senior safety Chad Miller, and junior safety Trevon Bierria. Monroe is the most experienced corner left on the team as he played in every game last season and has started 10 games in his career.
Playing sparingly last season he had 3 interceptions and 3.5 tackles for loss. In Webb’s redshirt freshman season he played in every game as a reserve and on special teams. With three defensive back spots open the former 3-star recruit should have a chance to find consistent time as a starter this season.
Miller did not play last season due to having been stabbed during an altercation in May 2017. This season he may find himself being a starter as in 2016 he ended the season starting the last three games. Bierria is coming into his junior season having started in a combined 15 games from 2016 and 2017 and could provide some additional experience from this young group.
Other players that could find themselves on the field this season include freshman Johnny Balderas, freshman Tre White, and junior Zamore Zigler. All three of these players were 3-star recruits coming out of high school. Zigler is interesting as last season he was in the rotation at running back but this position switch may help him find more consistent playing time.
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