Even after the second day of San Jose State University's fall football practice, there are some certainties when the Spartans take the CEFCU Stadium field for the August 29 opener against Northern Colorado.
On defense, there will be two new starting cornerbacks following the departure of seniors Dakari Monroe, now an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs, and John Toussaint.
Sophomores Nehemiah Shelton and Tre White have the first chance to replace Monroe and Toussaint based on their performance in spring practice and the beginning of fall camp. Actually, White, from De La Salle High, was a starter in San Jose State's nickel defense against Washington State. In that same game, Shelton, a Long Beach College transfer, came up with one of the team's three interceptions that night in Pullman.
THE PLAYERS' PERSPECTIVES
"Film. It takes a lot of hard work. It takes a lot of extra work," Shelton said about becoming a good corner in the team's defensive scheme.
"To be a good defensive back is having a short-term memory. If something happens, it's being able to turn around and focus and be ready for the next play," said White, who saw action both as a cornerback and a fifth defensive back in certain pass defenses.
Both players sense the heightened focus so far during fall camp. Perhaps some of the focus is being more in tuned with what is going on instead of figuring out what to do.
"The intensity is way higher than last year. I like how we are bringing it. The effort, our "blue line," everything is coming together. The energy is up," said the lanky Shelton, who played in three games last season.
"As a team, we're really showing our 'blue line' culture. The 100-100 is really showing up. It's something we practice and preach. It's being able to execute 100 percent effort, every single play 100 percent of the time. As a team, it gives us the juice and energy we need for practice."
"THE GUYS ARE FLYING AROUND" – DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR DERRICK ODUM
To defensive coordinator Derrick Odum, he likes the way the first few days have gone for Shelton and White specifically and for the defense in general.
"I do know we are farther along at the start of camp than we've ever been. I really enjoy that part of it – the guys understanding what we're talking about before we get to the assignment at hand. It's showing. The guys are flying around. They're in great shape," said Odum, who has returning starters on defense in lineman Cade Hall, linebackers Ethan Aguayo and Jesse Osuna, and safeties Tre Webb and Jay Lenard. White is among seven other returning players to start in a game last season.
"I'm pleased with the first few days. Obviously we have a ways to go, but I like where we are."
"We're installing as we're as we're going. We don't want to take a step back as far as our progression with techniques and assignments. We're throwing a lot at them and they are handling it. So, everything will be right the next four days and we can move on from there," Odum said about what he hopes to see in the remaining practices for the first week.
The first practice open to the public is Tuesday, August 6, at 9:40 a.m. The team's first scrimmage is Saturday, August 10, 5:30 p.m. in CEFCU Stadium. There is no admission charge.
The season opener is Thursday, August 29, with the Spartans hosting Northern Colorado in a 7:00 p.m. non-conference game. Tickets for all San Jose State home games are available at www.sjsuspartans.com/tickets.