Navarro football: Reloading ‘Dogs

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January 2, 2010

Bobeck, Navarro faced with rebuilding defense

By Rob Ludwig The Corsicana Daily Sun Sat Jan 02, 2010, 06:28 PM CST

Nick Bobeck and his wife took a nice, long Christmas vacation to his home state of Oklahoma recently, but that did not preclude him from his offseason pastime — recruiting.

The Navarro football coach and his staff have spread out across the state in search of defensive help, receivers and depth at quarterback and along the offensive front.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Bobeck said. “We’ve got a lot of good freshmen coming back next year, but when you lose almost your entire defensive line (to Division I schools), all three linebackers and four defensive backs who sign scholarships, you’ve got a whole lot of holes to fill.

“We’re going to play a lot of freshmen on defense (in 2010) and we hope to get a couple of transfers who can make a difference.”

Navarro has lost sophomores who accounted for 80.4 percent of the 2009 tackles, 22 of 25 interceptions and 31 of 32 sacks, leaving gaping holes on defense.

Not to fret though. Navarro is returning one of the hottest Southeastern Conference recruits in defensive end Toby Jackson (40 tackles, 1 sack, 6 tackles for loss). Highly regarded ends Tim Benford and Michael Autwell (Midlothian) are also back after they were suspended for the past season.

Bobeck is also encouraged by returning linebackers Christo Lisika and Blake Cavil (47 tackles) and defensive backs D.J. Hayden, Chevy Bennett and Evyn Branch. Also add redshirt Rodney Owens, a tall, rangy safety for whom Bobeck has high hopes, and linebacker Joe Benefield, who missed this season because of injury.

“Our secondary is going to be strong again with the guys coming back and with Rodney joining the mix,” Bobeck said. “We’ve also got some guys like (defensive lineman Rico Forbes) who are going to have to have great springs.”

Navarro will be returning offensive line regulars Nick Johnson, Daniel Campbell and Michael Bowie, quarterback Roddy Green, running back DePauldrick Garrett (964 yards, 10 touchdowns) and second-leading receiver Jahmai Coleman (23 catches, 3 scores).

Among the redshirts are offensive linemen Kendall Kelly from Gainesville, Fla. and Marcus Gray; Houston Furr receivers Jimario Piro and Robert Primes; running backs Darrell Lea and Garrette Nunn and tight end Braylon Williams, a former SMU signee. Florida offensive lineman Shauntez Bruce will enroll in January after signing last spring.

“We don’t have to sign a huge class on the offensive side, which allows us to concentrate on the defensive side,” Bobeck said.

“Turnover is what junior college football is all about. You have kids for two years and then they are gone. The roster is constantly changing with freshmen and transfers. We’re working to continue to sign the highest quality freshmen and also keep an eye out for quality transfers. We’re hoping to go out there and get the best student athletes available to continue playing at the same high level we’ve achieved the last three years.”

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