VIDEO: Aaron Hutsell Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the sixth in an eight-part series that will break down what Carson-Newman football brings to the table for the 2015 season position by position.  Today's preview features the Eagles' defensive backs with Aaron Hutsell.

"The best thing we have going right now is competition," Hutsell said. "You'll see four out there during a game.  But we've got more than four.  We've got athletic competition and depth, but then you've got high character among our guys as well."

The defensive backfield is arguably the deepest position Carson-Newman has  for  the 2015 season.  The Eagles only lose Sean Rawson from the back four and return six others who had some starting experience in 2014.  The secondary features first team All-SAC pick Jerry Miclisse, All-American and 2013 first team All-SAC corner Eien Jacob, 2014 preseason first team All-SAC pick Dante Thomas, the Eagles 2014 leader in interceptions David Crumitie not to  mention Emmanuel Orange and Jason Williams. 

Toss in key reserve Jamar Johnson and the Eagles would likely have zero issues running a dime defense every down.  Miclisse returns as the position group's leader.  He was Carson-Newman's leading tackler in three games. The safety produced a career high 15 tackles against Brevard (9/20).  That tally was the third best tally by a Carson-Newman defensive back in school history and the 20^th most among all players.  

"Jerry's just now starting to understand what it takes to operate at a high level," Hutsell said. "The crazy thing with him last year was that he had a ton of production and he didn't start every game. Now he's starting to grow into running traffic and getting everyone lined up on the back end."

Miclisse led the team in breakups with seven. His 62 tackles were second on the team and he produced four tackles for loss to boot. He had eight tackles or more in three games and had two tackles for loss against Newberry. 

Thomas added in 32 stops for the Eagles while defenses mostly stayed away from Jacob to the point that he only made 27 tackles last year. 

Williams and Orange had 22 and 21 tackles, respectively.

"No one can be complacent for us," Hutsell said. "Accolades are in the past because all our players have to compete to get a job.  The depth chart is changing every day.  Whoever is the best at the end of the week is going to end up starting for us. I trust all those guys to do a good job for us.  They're all game ready."

The next crop of Eagle defensive backs will likely feature Parker Shelton, who coaches say had a good spring.  Transfer Xavier McFadden could also make an impact.

Carson-Newman football's position previews resume Friday with C-N's linebackers and Mike Clowney.