We have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the likes of Stepfan Taylor and Chase Thomas this season, but replacing Andrew Luck and the other members of last year's 11-win squad will require a team effort. We're profiling 12 less heralded Cardinal players whose ability to adjust to larger roles could determine whether Stanford is competing for a third straight BCS invite or settling for a spot in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
Previously Featured: Drew Terrell | Anthony Wilkerson | Henry Anderson | Ed Reynolds | Kevin Danser | Brendon Austin | James Vaughters | Jordan Richards | David Yankey | Ryan Hewitt | Jamal-Rashad Patterson
Name: Wayne Lyons
Position: CB
Year: So.
Ht./Wt.: 6-1/187
Career Stats: 3 tackles, missed the final 11 games of the 2011 season with a broken foot
Shoes to Fill: Johnson Bademosi
Where He Came From: Lyons starred at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where the Congressional National Scholar and National Honor Society member earned U.S. Army All-America honors and was rated the sixth-best safety in his class by Rivals.com. Lyons committed to Stanford over Michigan and UCLA, sticking with the Cardinal even after the departure of Jim Harbaugh to the NFL.
What He's Done: Lyons impressed in fall camp as a true freshman and earned some early playing time in a crowded Stanford secondary, but he missed the final 11 games of the season with a broken foot.
Training Camp Outlook: Lyons entered camp "100 percent healthy but still trying to get back that explosion he had a year ago," according to David Shaw. Lyons was expected to challenge for a starting cornerback job, but he and freshman Alex Carter are listed behind Terrence Brown and Barry Browning on the initial depth chart. The sophomore will apparently rotate in early against the Spartans and should see plenty of action throughout the season.
Lyons on Twitter: @wlyons21 is a prolific tweeter and occasional freestyler.
Signed a few posters and took a few pics. Now I can take off my cleats and rock some swagg kicks!! ...Until tomorrow ha ha ha
— Wayne Lyons (@wlyons21) August 19, 2012
Alphabetically Speaking: Lyons falls between Willard Lyons, who played in 1905, and Tom E. Lynn (1974-75).
Numerically Speaking: Defensive back Bill Jackson wore No. 2 for the Cardinal from 1982-85.
Related Video: Here's Lyons' acceptance speech after receiving the Brian Piccolo Scholarship Athlete Award.
Fun Fact: Wayne has his own blog. It hasn't been updated since last year, but it includes a list of all the recruiters who recruited him (what up, Derek Mason) and a link to sign up for his Virtual Book Club.