Football | 8/14/2012 9:33:00 AM
Last Thursday began a series of position breakdowns for the Hornet football team. Tuesday will feature the defensive backs. Monday featured the defensive line and linebackers. Friday featured the quarterbacks, receivers and H-backs. The offensive line and running backs were featured on Thursday. The series will wrap-up with a look at special teams on Wednesday.
The Emporia State defense will return six starters from last season and four others that started at least two games. The Hornets were second in the nation in turnover margin last season, forcing 37 turnovers. Their 22 interceptions were the most by a team that did not make the playoffs. ESU’s opponents completed just 54.5% of their passes as the Hornets finished third in the MIAA in pass defense efficiency.
Defensive Backs
The defensive backfield is led by senior All-American
Derek Lohmann at safety. Lohmann led the MIAA and was fourth in the nation in interceptions last season. His eight picks last year were the most in the nation in the regular season and allowed him to tie the Hornet career record with 14 interceptions. He averaged 19.4 yards per interception return. He was fifth on the Hornets with 61 tackles and had 6.5 tackles for loss.
Overall the defensive backfield may be one of the deepest and most talented positions for the Hornets. Senior
Kevin Gaddis had five interceptions to rank fourth in the MIAA and 28th in the nation. Senior
Jeff Richards had two picks from his safety position for the Hornets last season as ESU’s 15 returning interceptions are more than six MIAA teams had all of last season. Senior
Julian Dozier has played in every game since setting foot on campus. Senior
Josh Taylor will return to the line up after getting injured in the opener last season and missing the final ten games. Speedy junior
Gary Fortune is expected to battle for a starting position after transferring from Ohio University.
|
3 |
JULIAN DOZIER |
DB |
5’9 |
176 |
Sr.-3L |
Round Rock, TX |
Stony Point HS |
|
4 |
GARY FORTUNE |
DB |
6’0 |
170 |
Jr.-TR |
Indian Head, MD |
Ohio |
|
5 |
DEREK LOHMANN |
DB |
6’1 |
209 |
Sr.-3L |
Alva, OK |
Alva HS |
|
9 |
CHRIS POSTON |
DB |
6’1 |
193 |
Jr.-2L |
Oklahoma City, OK |
Bishop McGuiness HS |
|
14 |
JOSH TAYLOR |
DB |
6’1 |
187 |
Sr.-3L |
Denver, CO |
Glendale CC |
|
18 |
KEVIN GADDIS |
DB |
5’9 |
166 |
Sr.-1L |
Midwest City, OK |
Rice |
|
20 |
JARETT STRODE |
DB |
5’11 |
183 |
Fr.-HS |
St. Charles, MO |
Francis Howell HS |
|
21 |
KADEEM SATCHELL |
DB |
6’2 |
202 |
So.-1L |
Princeton, TX |
Princeton HS |
|
23 |
JEFF RICHARDS |
DB |
6’2 |
200 |
Sr.-1L |
Del City, OK |
Northeastern Okla. A&M |
|
24 |
CORBEN ABILA |
DB |
6’1 |
191 |
Fr.-RS |
Weatherford, TX |
Ft. Worth Brewer HS |
|
36 |
GABE PATTERSON |
DB |
5’8 |
162 |
Fr.-RS |
Burton, TX |
Burton HS |
|
40 |
CLAYTON BOATRIGHT |
DB |
6’1 |
203 |
Fr.-RS |
Argonia, KS |
Argonia HS |
|
43 |
LARHON WALKER |
DB |
5’9 |
167 |
Fr.-RS |
Kansas City, MO |
Ruskin HS |
|
|
CHRIS LEE |
DB |
5’9 |
175 |
Fr.-HS |
St. Louis, Mo. |
Sumner HS |
|
|
JP LOHRENTZ |
DB |
6’1 |
172 |
Fr.-HS |
Buhler, KS |
Buhler HS |
|
|
CURTIS SHORTS |
DB |
6’0 |
191 |
Fr-TR |
Fort Worth, TX |
Abilene Christian |
|
|
YADAH SMITH |
DB |
5’10 |
183 |
Fr.-HS |
St. Louis, MO |
Sumner HS |
###HORNETS###
