DEFENSIVE BACKS
Depth Chart
With 2009 Statistics DEF. BACKS COACH Sean Beckton CORNERBACK 20 Josh Robinson, SO, 5-10, 186 69 tackles, 6 INTs, 14 pass def. 23 Justin Boddie, SR, 6-2, 194 58 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack CORNERBACK 22 Emery Allen, R-SR, 5-9, 183 medical redshirt in 2009 19 A.J. Bouye, SO, 6-0, 177 10 tackles FREE SAFETY 18 Kemal Ishmael, SO, 5-11, 194 70 tackles, 1 INT 25 Jarrett Swaby, R-FR, 6-1, 189 Belle Glade, Fla. (Glades Day) STRONG SAFETY 21 Darin Baldwin, SR, 5-11, 207 32 tackles, 7 pass def. 40 Reggie Weams, SR, 6-0, 191 24 tackles, 1 INT NOTABLE NEWCOMERS 30 Jordan Ozerities, FR, 5-10, 191 Mount Dora, Fla. (Mount Dora) 31 Cornelius Whitehead, FR, 6-1, 175 Mount Dora, Fla. (Mount Dora) 47 Clayton Geathers, FR, 6-2, 190 Georgetown, S.C. (Carvers Bay)
THE NUMBERS
20
Josh Robinson and Kemal Ishmael combined to make 20 starts in the UCF secondary as true freshmen a season ago.
40
KI
PROVIDING COVERAGE
A
young secondary stepped up in 2009 and proved they were up for the task of replacing four graduated standout starters from the 2008 season. Now a more veteran group, this year’s unit will be expected to continue to improve and become a strength of the defense. The group will include a mix of veterans looking for a chance to shine in their last seasons at UCF and standout sophomores looking to build off impressive freshmen campaigns. Fifth-year seniors Emery Allen and Justin Boddie will both compete for starting spots and playing time at cornerback. Allen returns after missing the majority of 2009 due to injury while Boddie aims to back-up his career-best 58 tackles as a junior. Two more seniors - Darin Baldwin and Reggie Weams - will compete to start at strong
safety. Baldwin made 32 tackles and had seven pass break-ups last season while Weams contributed 24 tackles and an interception. Indicating their potential for impressive careers with the Black and Gold, Josh Robinson and Kemal Ishmael burst onto the scene to make an immediate impact as true freshmen a year ago. Starting nine games at free safety, Ishmael led all secondary players with 70 tackles in 2009, but it was Robinson who really made a splash. Robinson’s six interceptions were tied for the most nationally among true freshmen, and he added 59 tackles and eight pass break-ups. His performance led to a laundry list of accolades, including his being a consensus freshman All-America selection and a second-team All-Conference USA performer. Expectations are high for Robinson, who has been listed as a
Kemal Ishmael led UCF’s secondary with 70 tackles as a true freshman a year ago consensus first-team preseason allconference pick. Two other returning young players will vie for time with redshirt freshman Jarrett Swaby slated to backup Ishmael while sophomore A.J. Bouye will aim to get on the field at cornerback. Bouye appeared in 10 games as a rookie in 2009 and registered 10 total tackles. Among the UCF newcomers who could find time in the secondary is freshman Clayton Geathers, a 6-foot-3 safety from Hemingway, S.C., who already has the size to play collegiately. Freshmen cornerbacks Jordan Ozerites and Cornelius Whitehead will both be in the battle for playing time as well. Ozerites was an early enrollee who had a chance to participate in spring practice. - Heather Lancaster
TAKING HIS TURN Four years ago, as a true freshman at UCF, Darin Baldwin looked around the secondary and saw veterans like Joe Burnett, Sha’reff Rashad, Jason Venson and Johnell Neal. Now it is Baldwin who is the wily veteran in a young but talented group of defensive backs that includes true sophomore standouts Josh Robinson and Kemal Ishmael. “I have been around here for a long time, and I have learned a lot from the guys that came before me,” Baldwin said. “I’m hoping I can relay some of those experiences to our young guys while helping us reach our goals on the field.” Baldwin looks forward to 2010 while embracing his role as veteran and leader and also aiming to be the secondary’s consistent starter at strong safety. The senior from Miami’s South Dade High School is currently number one on the team’s depth chart at the position, and believes the experience of 32 games, six starts and 61 tackles in his career will keep him there throughout the season. - A.G.
WORTHY COMPARISON Josh Robinson is honored by the comparisions to Joe Burnett
T
he conclusion of the 2008 season marked the end of the Joe Burnett era in the defensive backfield at UCF. But the loss of Burnett along with Jason Venson, Sha’reff Rashad and Johnell Neal also opened the door for a new UCF star. One of the most heralded recruits in UCF history, Josh Robinson quickly filled that void, leaving little doubt that he was a star in the making. While cementing himself as a starter early on in 2009, the cornerback led all true freshmen nationally in both interceptions (six) and passes defended (15). The Sunrise, Fla., native was a unanimous Freshman All-American and was also named to the All-Conference USA SecondTeam. While many around the program expected great things from Robinson, he admits to surprising himself. He also credits his competitiveness for his success. “I was very surprised because I did not really know what to expect at the college level,” said Robinson. “God has blessed me with the ability
Tale of the Tape
so I have to give Him credit first, but then Like former UCF standout Joe Burnett before him, Josh my competitiveness. I love to compete so Robinson was named a Freshman All-American after no matter what I do, I try to be the best at it an impressive start to his career. As Robinson enters so I think that separated me.” his sophomore campaign, the comparisons to Burnett So what is next for the young cornercontinue. Here is how the two stack up to each other: back now that he is a sophomore and has more pressure? A sophomore slump? He certainly doesn’t think one is coming. Robinson vs. Burnett “Of course there is pressure to do 20 Number 19 more than what I did last year,” Robinson 5-10 Height 5-9 said. “But I am pretty comfortable with that 186 Weight 192 pressure and ready to exceed what I did Sunrise, Fla. Hometown Eustis, Fla. last year. I just have to make sure I do not Plantation High School Eustis practice bad habits and just work on every 6 INTs as Fr. 5 aspect of my game.” ??? INTs in career 16 The comparisons with Burnett only in ??? NFL Draft 5th rd. pick, Steelers creased with Robinson’s success in filling his shoes as a true freshman. While some get his hands on the ball. His freshman season would shy away from the comparisons, he welcomes them with open arms. After all, after included two huge plays in Texas - an intercepone season, Robinson is already ahead of the tion of Heisman Trophy finalist Colt McCoy and pace that made Burnett UCF’s all-time leader in a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown against Rice. interceptions with 16. “I’m honored,” Robinson said of the “I take the most pride in coming up with the “I take the most pride in coming up comparisons. “Joe Burnett is a great ball,” said Robinson. “I love stopping the other UCF Knight. I’m always look- team’s offense and being able to say, ‘alright, with the ball. I love stopping the other former ing to improve and he’s a great guy you are done and it’s time for our offense to team’s offense and being able to say, to learn from. He is a person I want come on the field.’” to try and model my game after. I am With that attitude and confidence, the only ‘Alright, you are done and it’s time for honored by it and I’ll just try to live up thing that may prevent Robinson from shatterto it. I’ll do my best and try to exceed ing Burnett’s records is if opposing quarterbacks our offense to come on the field.’” decide not to risk throwing the ball to his side of it as well.” - Josh Robinson Like Burnett before him, Robinson is the field. - Andrew Gavin a ballhawk who lives for the chance to
KI
41