2008 wasn't kind to James, as he was out all season with an injured knee. The knee is now healed and James is ready to make an impact in his junior season.
Dockery played special teams in 2007 and recorded 12 tackles as a red-shirt freshman. Spring 2009 was a test for Dockery's knee and he passed with flying colors. Now at full speed, Dockery looked strong in OSU's spring game, breaking up numerous passes and recording an interception.
The LaQuinta, California native has the know-how to be a quality player for Riley. Dockery is a also teacher in the huddle, often shouting words of encouragement to the new faces in the secondary, any coaches dream.
No. 17 Brandon Hardin - Soph. 6'2" 210lbs
The wildcard in the race for the corner spot is Brandon Hardin. Hardin comes from OSU's talent rich Hawaiian pipeline and is the most physical corner OSU has ever had.
As a freshman, Hardin was a gunner on the punt coverage team often greeting the returner with a vicious blow.
Hardin has the least amount of experience in the group, but has the most raw and untapped talent. If he can learn defensive schemes and continue to impress in practice, he could sneak into the role Tim Clark held last season as a third starter.
Outlook: Many are quick to shout "drop off" since Hughes and Lewis were such high quality corners. 2005 is referenced also, in which OSU went 5-6 and failed to make a post season bowl game, largely due to the inability to stop anyone in the passing game.
2009 will be nothing like 2005. '05 Started two freshman, one of which (Hughes) had just made the transition from receiver to corner a year prior. This year OSU returns two fifth year seniors, a junior, and a very talented sophomore.
Clark, Henderson, Dockery, and Hardin look to be the front runners for the starting spots and if the season started now, Dockery and Clark would hold the slight edge.
Players to watch: Kenyan Parker, David Ross, Kaua Olds
The position of greater concern for many of the OSU faithful is at safety. Greg Laybourn is now gone as well as Al Afalava. Laybourn was the heart of the OSU defense, leading not only the team in tackles, but also the Pac-10 in tackles in 2008 with 113.
If Laybourn was the heart that kept the defense ticking, Afalava was the iron-clad fist that delivered blow, after blow
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