Big expectations for secondary led by Jahleel Addae

The players furthest away from the line of scrimmage might have the biggest impact for the Central Michigan defense this season.

The Chippewa secondary, led by senior captain Jahleel Addae, is one of the strongest groups on the 2012 roster.

Addae, an All-Mid-American Conference first-team selection a year ago, led the Chippewas with 107 tackles last season. Fellow secondary mate, junior Avery Cunningham, finished second on the team with 79 hits. If everything goes according to plan, neither will have to make as many tackles in 2012.

“I expect our defensive line and linebackers to be great this year,” Addae said. “If the secondary has to clean up some of the scraps that squirt through, we will be willing to do it, but I feel like our defense is going to be stellar this year. We have a lot of guys that have bought in and we’re ready to take off.”

Head coach Dan Enos has also stressed the importance of taking some of the load off of the talented secondary.

“In order for your secondary to dominate, you have to keep people off schedule by keeping teams in second-and-long and third-and-long,” he said. “If your defensive line is getting handled, you take the secondary out of the game. More so, I think we have to be disruptive up front, and if we do that, I think you’re going to see our secondary make some plays.”

In addition to Addae and Cunningham, the secondary will also feature fifth-year cornerback Taylor Bradley, who was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA after suffering a season-ending injury in 2011.

“Taylor was real mature about his injury,” Addae said.  “He’s rehabbed on his own and in the stadium, and he’s back looking better than ever; I expect a big season from him.”

Senior Lorenzo White, who started 11 games in 2011, also returns. Sophomores Jarret Chapman, Dennis Nalor and Jason Wilson are bigger and have more experience in their second year, and should provide depth.

The play of the secondary will be a major key in 2012 as the Chippewas try and slow down the pass-happy offenses in the Mid-American Conference.

“The MAC is a potent offensive conference,” Addae said.  “There are a lot of great, experienced quarterbacks throughout the conference – all we can do is prepare. We’re going to do everything we can to be ready.”