Stanford’s secondary will be the best defensive group for Stanford in 2016. They only lose Ronnie Harris and Kodi Whitfield, but Stanford has plenty of players to replace last year’s veterans. Alijah Holder, Quenton Meeks, Dallas Lloyd, and Zach Hoffpauir are all possible options but the list goes on. Stanford’s secondary will have incredible depth in 2016 and will have the potential to be one of the best secondaries in the league.
Last year, Holder and Meeks both had breakout seasons, and both should flourish on the field this year. Holder played consistently all year as a redshirt freshman that was highlighted by a pick six against UCLA. Heading into the 2016 season, Alijah was named to to the Athlon All Pac-12 preseason third team. Meanwhile, Quenton Meeks led the team with three interceptions as a true freshman. Meeks made big plays when it mattered, and he should be able to do that again in 2016. Holder and Meeks will be young cornerbacks in 2016, but they should be a reliable pair.
At the safety positions, Dallas Lloyd returns as a fifth year senior, and Zach Hoffpauir is coming back to the farm after a year playing pro baseball. Both Lloyd and Hoffpauir will be the most experienced in the entire secondary, and they’ll need to step up as team leaders. In 2015, Lloyd was the primary strong safety, but in 2014, Hoffpauir started at strong safety. There’s no way either one will be left off the field, so one will have to switch to free safety, which shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. In 2016, Lloyd and Hoffpauir will bring needed experience to the secondary; however more importantly, Lloyd and Hoffpauir both enter their final season which should be their best ones yet.
Stanford’s secondary is great because of their depth. Holder, Meeks, Lloyd and Hoffpauir are not the only names for Stanford. There are so many more. Alameen Murphy played well last year. Unfortunately, he got injured during the spring, but he’s back and ready to go. Terrence Alexander has improved tremendously since the end of last season. Justin Reid has played the most out of the young safeties, but Ben Edwards has got his fair share of playing time as well. Frank Buncom IV should also be in the mix for playing time after redshirting last year. Competing for playing time, everyone is a good option, and this competition will only help as it will push players to get better.
Last year, Stanford’s secondary was very young and inexperienced. This year, players will have learned from last year’s mistakes and be ready for unexpected challenges. All signs point to a improved secondary with only one question mark heading into 2016. Who will receive playing time? With so much depth, be ready for Stanford’s secondary to rebound this year and turn into one of the best in the Pac-12.
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Comments
I've got to stop reading these stories
of Stanford football.
My expectation now is for Stanford to go undefeated and win the national championship.
And McCaffrey is supposed to be sooo much better they say? He’s going to have to walk on water to live up to that.
By kollesteral on 08.18.16 10:52am
No one expects Stanford to go undefeated
The secondary happens to be one of Stanford’s best groups this year. There are still a lot question marks for the team though. The defense line replaces 2 starters and linebackers do as well. The secondary pretty much replaces no one.
By charliefoy on 08.18.16 1:45pm
All of us are singing that song this time of year.
Looking forward to our Dawgs playing Stanford at Husky Stadium Fri. night Sept. 30. You have a tough schedule to start the season and may be at less than full strength and beat up a little by the time that 4th game on your schedule comes up. UW faces one serious opponent prior to you, and will very likely be undefeated heading into that game. Lots on the line and we expect to have a capacity crowd on hand. Nothing like playing the Huskies with a full house at Husky Stadium so it should be a real thrill for your young guys.
Whichever team comes away with the win has a leg up on winning the North Div. Making the jump from 7-6 to the playoffs would be a great leap in faith for Husky followers so I am reluctant to say UW would get thru the Conference schedule undefeated. But if we get past you and our nemesis Oregon the following week, we would have a head of steam of momentum going for us, and would be tough to beat for the remaining 6 games on our schedule. This is wiwthout doubt a key game for both teams this season.
By OsidePup on 08.18.16 1:49pm
Secondary not alone; Total defense better as 11man system
Despite losing Shittu and Scarlett at DTs, the DLine and DBs will feed on each other. Watch for more Coverage Sacks because the young DBs played more Bend-don’t-break rather than man to man.
Thomas is 1stTeam Pac12 at DT and gets Phillips back, plus Watkins and Lohn, with big frosh Mike Williams from TX in at 300lbs — might be another Josh Mauro NT. Add big DEs Kaumatule and Cotton. The preying mantis, Kalambayi, will pounce on QBs.
The LB Corp (8 deep) is rated by Phil Steele in top ten for USA as a group. Blitzes will then, in turn, give a quicker secondary more shots at INTs.
Whitfield was an excellent tackler, but looking at tape he got burned for TDs vs NORW, UCLA, USC, OREG, NDAM. This year’s crew is a step up and deeper, more guys fresh in Q4.
By ADPATERSON on 08.19.16 1:40pm
Agree Completely With This
Good QBs with time to throw have inevitably beaten our bend but don’t break defense. Our lack of interceptions is an indication of our lack of coverage aggressiveness (overall). This was a plan that worked pretty well with a young and inexperienced secondary, as the yards we gave up generally did not translate into point equivalents. We can and should be more aggressive this year, but strong pressure on QBs will be crucial to success for our secondary.
I am prepared to be very positively surprised by our defense this year.
By hoyaparanoia on 08.19.16 5:42pm