Rutgers Secondary Preview 2012: The Last Line of Defense

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"This year, even with the inexperienced coach, we have a lot of coaches on the staff that have either been head coaches, coordinators, assistant head coaches. When you have that, with the great personality of Coach Flood and great talent, which the Rutgers University football team has, we are in a position to go out there and have the chance to win the Big East championship this year."—Duron Harmon [as told to ESPN.com reporter Andrea Adelson]

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Three 5th-year seniors and one 6th-year senior are four of the seven upperclass defensive backs who will help patrol the Rutgers secondary this season under the direction of defensive coach Robb Smith.

In 2011, Rutgers' pass defense was 9th-best in the nation, and overall the Scarlet Knights were 14th best in total defense. But in 2012, the secondary will need to be the last line of defense behind a linebacker group of questionable depth.

At cornerbacks, senior Brandon Jones (39 tackles) and junior Logan Ryan (67 tackles, three interceptions) are the projected starters, with seniors Mason Robinson, Marcus Cooper and sophomore Gareef Glashen as the backups. Ryan was named to the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List in July, as well as the watchlist for the Bednarik Award.

Free safety Duron Harmon enters his senior season after a 2011 campaign that saw him snag five interceptions for the Scarlet Knights. Of particular interest is his backup, converted receiver J.T. Tartacoff. With the depth of the receiver position this season, switching to the defensive backfield may well be Tartacoff's best opportunity to secure any playing time.

Sophomore Lorenzo Waters will start at the strong safety position, with senior Wayne Warren currently listed as the second-string safety on the depth chart. Warren, who had one interception and 28 tackles in his junior year, will be looking to win the starting position in his final season at Rutgers.

"He has great range," teammate Duron Harmon told Andrea Adelson of ESPN.com about safety Lorenzo Waters. "He's a very hard hitter, and I think he's going to be a great addition to this secondary."

Junior Mezo Cooper did not see any playing time in 2011 but was such a talented athlete in high school that he played tight end, wide receiver, defensive end, linebacker and even cornerback, as well as being the starting kicker for three years.

Rounding out those fighting for roster spots and playing time this season are sophomore Johnathan Aiken and freshmen Jevon Tyree (cousin of former New York Giants' wide receiver David Tyree), Davon Jacobs, Tejay Johnson, Ben Martin and C.J. Still.