VIDEO: Antonio Goss Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the seventh part in an eight-part series breaking down Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2021 season. This feature previews the Eagles' defensive backfield with the help of Antonio Goss.
Carson-Newman's defensive backfield has to contend with the loss of the program's third all-time leader in interceptions in Desmond Fairell as well as the CFL's Darius Williams.
A youthful secondary showed flashes against UVA Wise when they had to contend with a school-record 72 pasases thrown against them.
Kendall Williams (Winston-Salem, N.C.) tallied 11 tackles with a break up and a tackle for loss. Safety Tay Little (High Point, N.C.) tallied nine stops against the Cavaliers with seven solo stops.
"It's been a joy working with this group because you get to be with them every day and see the progress that they make," Goss said. "The thing that sticks out is the competition. Each kid knows every time he is on the field, the eyes are on him."
Williams and Jalen Anderson (Simpsonville, S.C.) both started at corner in the game against UVA Wise in the spring. Anderson helped Mauldin High School to its first playoff win in 10 years as a senior. He was named all-region for the Mavericks and led the team in pass breakups as a senior. He participated in the Shrine Bowl. Anderson also ran track, earning all-region honors in that sport as well.
"For Jalen, it's about the opportunity through more reps," Goss said. "He redshirted and now has an opportunity to shine. It's a chance for him to be a leader. You can be a leader in two ways, action or voice. He's definitely approached it from a standpoint of action."
Williams was a two-sport athlete in football and track, Williams recorded four interceptions with 22 pass break ups throughout his career. He added onto his stat sheet with a pair of forced fumbles, a pick six and a fumble recovery for a score. He took down 48 solo tackles with two tackles for loss. The All-Conference and All-Northwest selection led the Titans in interceptions.
"He is a hard worker," Goss said. "When Kendall comes in he is going to learn the little details and the craft so that he can out work you. It's carried over. Those guys across the board know they have to get after it."
Meanwhile, Banneker product Jackson Ward adds depth at the position. Ward tallied 30 tackles during his career with a trio of interceptions and 10 pass break ups. He was recognized by his Trojan teammates with the Best Defensive Back award and Most Improved.
At safety, Bryan Payne (Memphis, Tenn.) and Little notched starts against the Highland Cavaliers.
Payne made the move to the defensive backfield after spending his first two seasons as a member of the Carson-Newman running back corps. Payne had seven tackles with six solo stops in the Eagles' spring game with UVA Wise.
Meanwhile, Little rushed for more than 1,000 yards in high school and 16 touchdowns in high school at Trinity. On the defensive side of the ball, he tallied 64 tackles and four pass breakups. He was an all-conference selection both on the football field and as a track & field athlete.
"We still have athletes," Goss said. "We don't have great experience, but we do have athleticism. Cameron Ellis has a little bit of it at Johnson C. Smith. He has to get his Carson-Newman experience down."
Cameron Ellis (Clearwater, Fla.) played for the Golden Bulls for three years before making the move to Mossy Creek.
The Eagles have depth on the back end with Callum Clements (Miami, Fla.), Zuriel Jimpson (Atlanta, Ga.), Toledo transfer Desmond Bernard (Lexington, Ky.) and converted quarterback Dee Johnson (Jackson, Ga.).
Carson-Newman football's position previews wrap up Friday with the offensive line.
