KSU Spring Football Practice Day 11: Defensive Backs

KENT, Ohio -  Heading down the final stretch of the spring season Kent State completed its 11th practice Tuesday morning at the KSU Field House.

The Golden Flashes' secondary will be led by a pair of returning starters in senior cornerbacks Josh Pleasant and Normand Wolfe.  Pleasant has started in 24 career games, making 140 tackles and four interceptions.  Wolfe had a breakthrough season in 2010, totaling five interceptions and 102 tackles.

"We're more technically sound now," Pleasant said.  "It's a new defense so it's been like a classroom.  I think Norman (Wolfe) and I are going to hold things down pretty well on the corners and help the whole defense out."

Although the Flashes lost its two starting safeties from 2010, Kent State returns six letterwinners at cornerback and three at safety.

"We're a young bunch," Assistant Coach Jeff Burrow said of his safeties.  "But when experience leaves, opportunity comes for others.  We have an opportunity to fill those voids with the new stars of tomorrow.  Last year's seniors set a standard that this group is expected to live up to."

The Golden Flashes continue spring practice Wednesday, April 13.  Kent State's 15-practice slate concludes April 16 with the annual Spring Game, which will take place at 6 p.m. in Dix Stadium and is free and open to the public.

"As a defense, we have an opportunity to get better again," Defensive Coordinator Jon Heacock said of Saturday's upcoming scrimmage.  "We're trying to get the best out of everybody on Saturday, players and coaches."

Returning Letterwinners (Safeties)
Zack Gonosz (Jr./Jr., 5-10, 203, Dallas, Ga./East Paulding)
Leon Green (Sr./Jr., 5-11, 204, Monroeville, Pa./Gateway)
Luke Wollet (So./So., 6-1, 190, Poland, Ohio/Seminary)

Returning Letterwinners (Cornerbacks)
Brian Hummer (5th/Sr., 5-10, 202, Napoleon, Ohio/Napoleon)
Josh Pleasant (Sr./Sr., 5-10, 181, Germantown, Md./Hargrave Academy)
Darius Polk (Jr./So., 6-0, 183, Lynchburg, Va./Hargrave Academy)
Fabrice Pratt (Jr./So., 6-2, 184, Miami, Fla./Sunset)
Sidney Saulter (Sr./Jr., 6-0, 173, Miami, Fla./North Miami)
Norman Wolfe Jr. (Sr./Sr., 5-8, 163 Akron, Ohio/Buchtel)

Letterwinners Lost
Kirk Belgrave
Dan Hartman
Brian Lainhart
Calvin Taylor