BEAUMONT, Texas – One of the biggest highlights for Cardinals' fans during the offseason came from the football team. On the evening of Friday, April 28^th, All-American Brendan Langley became the third-round draft selection of the Denver Broncos – making him the first Cardinal since the program's rebirth to be selected in the NFL draft.
 
What served as a moment of celebration for the Red and White was also a reminder of another gap needing to be filled on the Cardinals' depth chart. A depth chart new head coach Mike Schultz has had to rebuild with only 13 returning starters.
 
In addition to the loss of Langley, the Cardinals also graduated All-Southland safety Xavier Bethany. That is two very big losses from a defense that led the Southland in pass defense (189.3 ypg) a year ago. Despite the two losses, the Cardinals return two starters in the secondary including preseason All-Southland selection Rodney Randle Jr. In addition to Randle, and safety Davon Jernigan – the other returning starter – the Cardinals have also added a wealth of talent to the position over the past two years.
 
"I think we have a lot of talent," said LU co-defensive coordinator Troy Douglas. "This is a position that has been really well recruited in the past. We have a group that is willing to learn. These guys are hungry to change things. This a very coachable group, listening to everything we say and trying to get better. I think the transition for this group has been very smooth."
 
Randle and Jernigan logged a combined 18 starts last season. When Randle went down with an injury true freshman Shyler Staton stepped into his place and filled in admirably. Staton finished his rookie season with three starts.
 
Randle logged 19 tackles and two pass breakups in an injury shortened sophomore season. A two-way threat for the Cardinals, Randle enters the year as a preseason all-conference selection.
 
"We're putting him in a position to showcase his skills as a cover guy," said Douglas. "The fact that you can put him on the slot receiver against guys who are normally his size gives him a greater chance for success. He's a strong guy with great short-area quickness. I think he's in for a big year if we can keep him healthy."
 
"It's a great honor to be recognized, but it has very little to do with me," added Randle. "If it wasn't for my teammates pushing me every day, helping me get where I'm at no one would know who I am. It's like my father told me when I was younger, that stuff is all hype – it's just for the fans and media. You can't get caught up in all of that. It's an honor but let's be realistic, we haven't even played a game yet. Last year, I received preseason honors and I allowed it to get to me and I didn't do anything. That is a humbling experience. I just want to get on the field and help this team in any way I can so we can have more all-conference guys at the end of the year."
 
The team's other returning starter, Jernigan played in 11 games last season earning 10 starts. He ended the year fourth on the squad with 60 tackles, including two for losses and an interception.
 
"The thing that makes Davon so valuable is that he can play so many positions," said Douglas. "We can play him at any of the safety positions. We think he is going to have a good year for us."
 
Another player who will be counted on to push for a starting role is Jaylon Bowen. A senior from Missouri City, Texas, Bowden played in 11 games last season recording 33 tackles, including two for losses.
 
"We had to find Jaylon a spot during the spring, because we were moving him around so much," said Douglas. "We originally had him behind Rodney, then moved him to free safety and then weak safety. He is now settling in."
 
Big Red is not void of talent behind Bowden and the two returning starters. Although injuries are never a good thing, the Cards were forced to play a lot of younger guys last season giving them valuable experience. Staton was one such player taking advantage of this opportunity. The coaching staff believes that experience will pay dividends this year.
 
"Any reps you get in game situations help," said Douglas. "Even if it's mop-up duty, it helps you gain a better feel for the speed of the game. For those guys who played last year it's really going to help them this year."
 
That, along with the Cardinals strong recruiting in the secondary over the past two years gives the coaching staff reason to smile. LU added five defensive backs two years ago and three late signees in 2017.
 
"Shyler and Caleb (Abrom) are pushing for starting spots, but Nate Jones has come in here and really stepped up," said Douglas. "We signed Nate out of junior college and he has come in and had a strong preseason camp. Nate might be our best straight-up man corner. He brings some good size and toughness with him to the position. He has a little ways to go to pick up the zones and techniques, but he's done very well. He can be a pain in the neck for receivers to deal with."
 
California native Tyler Rios is also in the mix at the corner spot after a strong camp. Rios has two years of eligibility with the Cardinals after transferring from Cerritos College. Another juco transfer who has had a strong camp is Lane Taylor. A 6-0, 189-pound product from Dallas, Taylor comes to the Golden Triangle after spending the first two years of his career at Fullerton Junior College. Freshman Andre Mulinax is also pushing for playing time after a strong camp.
 
"You never want to talk about injuries, but it happens in football," said Douglas. "What these guys have done is come in and provide us with depth. We didn't have that early on.
 
"We have a lot of guys that have come in and played well in the secondary. I think we have all bought into the new coaches. As a group, the DBs do a lot of extra things together. I feel like we're ahead of where we were last year because these guys work hard and everyone seems to be doing extra work to get better. We have some young guys who have really stood out like Nate Jones at corner and Lane Taylor at safety," added Randle.
 
The preseason clock is ticking down to the start of the 2017 season. The LU secondary will get its first regular-season test in a week when the Cardinals travel to North Texas. The game against the Mean Green is slated to kick off at 6 p.m. from Apogee Stadium in Denton.
 
-LU CARDINALS-