UNI secondary to feature some new faces

J.J. Swain read Northern Iowa's roster the same way a job seeker scours the want ads.

The freshman from Burnsville, Minn., knew the Panthers had lost a lot of defensive backs. Cornerbacks Terrell and Sean McMoore were gone. So was reserve Adam Roberts. Safeties Nick Nelson and Darrell Lloyd had exhausted their eligibility.

“I knew when I came here that they had graduated something like six or seven defensive backs,” said Swain. “I knew there were gonna be some spots open. So I decided to come out here and try my hardest to earn a spot and do my best in practice to try and be a part of the team.”

It's not yet clear how much Swain will be play in 2009. It is safe to say, though, that UNI's defensive secondary should be brand new and very young this fall.

At media day, Coach Mark Farley and defensive coordinator Chris Klieman said four freshmen are in the mix at cornerback - Swain, Varmah Sonie, Terrell McBride and Andre Martin. Sonie and Swain are new this year; McBride and Martin red-shirted a year ago.

The faces at safety are a little more familiar.

Senior Quentin Scott figures to be the No. 1 free safety, although he did not start a game in 2008. Jamar Thompson, a linebacker through his first two seasons at UNI, is getting a look at strong safety.

At 6-foot-5 and 6-4, respectively, Scott and Thompson give the Panthers considerably more size at safety than it had a year ago.

The idea that the Panther defense is turning to an untested group in the secondary may make some fans a little edgy. Farley acknowledged an obvious truth about his new men - they're going to get burned someday. Every defensive back does, veteran or rookie.

But the Panthers believe UNI's defensive backs can succeed.

“I'm confident in them,” Farley said. “I really am.”

The Panther defensive backs will be asked to learn quickly, with Iowa looming Sept. 5.

“You've got to adjust, basically,” said Scott, in his second year at UNI following a stint at Iowa Central Community College. “You've got to try and get smart.”:

Klieman will be patient.

“They're gonna be in the fire the first three or four weeks,” he said. “But if these kids understand our system and really get challenged in practice, I think they'll come along.”

UNI starts No. 4

UNI starts No. 4

Northern Iowa received one first-place vote and starts the season No. 4 in the preseason Football Championship Subdivision Coaches poll.

The Panthers are coming off a 12-3 season that ended with a No. 4 national ranking. Appalachian State is No. 1 in the preseason poll.