During fall camp, the safety group has been under close scrutiny, as a freshman and a sophomore are set to start at the back two spots and star senior Tony Conner is set to return from injury at the Huskie position. While there is an impressive amount of young talent in the secondary, Head Coach Hugh Freeze felt the group had to allow less big plays.
Conner said Freeze preached communication to the group often, and felt it could help solve the big play issues.
Senior defensive back Tony Conner celebrates after a play. Conner has been impressed by the process of some of the younger players in the defense. (File Photo)
“If we get out there and don’t communicate at all, we really won’t get anything done,” Conner said. “When we go out there and talk, we do everything the right way then. When we don’t communicate, that’s when we give up the big, explosive plays.”
One of the young players is Zedrick Woods, who is currently the starter at free safety in his second season with the Rebels. Woods saw progress in the safety group throughout camp.
“We got way better,” Woods said. “We limited explosive plays as a unit.”
“Solid player,” Freeze said of Woods. “He’s got a lot of snaps under his belt so we are depending on him to not make those mistakes back there and he’s played a lot of places for us which helps.”
Conner was also impressed with Woods’ development.
“He’s come a long way from last year,” Conner said. “They had him at dime, this year he’s going to be a big help in our secondary. He’s still kind of young but as of right now, he’s in the film room each and every day learning plays.”
Woods said that he felt comfortable in his new role at free safety.
“I feel like I’ve progressed,” Woods said. “I’m learning the defense so I feel like it’s a good fit for me.”
Freeze also praised true freshman Myles Hartsfield, who is currently starting at the rover spot.
“He’s running for the ones for a reason,” Freeze said. “We’ve got confidence in him and think he can do the job. That doesn’t mean mistakes won’t be made, but we have confidence in him.”
Conner liked what he saw of Hartsfield and fellow freshman safety Deontay Anderson, likening Hartsfield to former Rebel Mike Hilton due to his ability to play multiple positions.
“I think he’s doing a great job with that, coming in as a freshman, learning the defense,” Conner said. “Deontay, he’s doing a phenomenal job as well coming in and learning the defense as a freshman.”
As for Conner, the senior feels he is about 90 percent recovered from his injury, and would be able to play in a game tomorrow if he needed to.
“Every time the ones go in, I’m right there with them. It feels great,” Conner said. “Coming from last year with the injury and sitting home watching my brothers play, it hurt. It’s a great feeling being back out there with those guys.”
