VIDEO: Coaches in Cars Getting Coffee – Larry Slade and the Defensive Backs
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the fourth part in an eight-part series chronicling Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2023 season. This feature breaks down the Eagle defensive backfield with assistance from defensive coordinator Larry Slade.
After growing through inexperience in 2021 and to a lesser degree in 2022, Carson-Newman's defensive backfield is defined by experience in 2023. While the unit returns a combined 53 starts among its returners, no player on the roster is a senior on the field.
"When you start comparing this secondary to the 2019 secondary, the thing you see here is Major, but also Kendall Williams, Jalen Anderson, Jet Jones and Jackson Ward," Slade said. "I think three of those guys could be All-America-type guys. It's outstanding to work with this caliber person and they are outstanding themselves."
The hyper-athletic group is defined by its speed. Major Williams and Anderson can both top out on the plus side of 23 MPH per Director of Strength and Conditioning Jeff Boschman, while Kendall Williams and Champ Baker are members of the 22 MPH club. Meanwhile, Jones and Ward fall into the 21 MPH club.
"I look at our guys, Kendall, Jalen and Major are all All-America-caliber players," Slade said. "They have put the time and work in. Those guys were here in June working, working their tales off in the weight room. They are leaders because of what they do and their work ethic. Major made a play during practice today that I genuinely can't wait to go back and watch on film. He's making plays that he shouldn't have any business being involved in."
Williams has the All-SAC accolades to his name. Williams finished third on the team in tackles and second in the SAC in tackles amongst defensive backs. The UVA transfer finished the year with 49 tackles and five stops for loss.
The five tackles for loss are the second-most in C-N history among defensive backs behind All-American safety Darius Williams' 7.5 in 2019. Williams had a career-high seven tackles on four occasions against Limestone (9/17), Lenoir-Rhyne (9/24), Newberry (10/1) and Catawba (11/12). Those were among five games where he had at least five tackles.
Williams had two picks on the year, both of which were against Erskine (10/15). He brought back one of those interceptions 28 yards for a defensive touchdown. The sophomore had 15 pass break ups on the year, ranking third in the SAC and fifth in the nation. His 17 passes defensed are the 11th most in a single season in school history.
Meanwhile, Kendall Williams recovered from a mid-season injury to appear in nine games and start six for the Eagles in the defensive backfield. Williams was top 10 in the country in passes defensed, breaking up 15 and picking off one. He ended the season with 22 tackles, 12 of which were solo stops. He had his lone interception of the year at Emory & Henry (Oct. 29). Williams tallied multiple tackles in all but one of the games in which he played. He had four stops in the Eagles' opener at West Georgia. His best game of pass defense came against UVA Wise (Nov. 5) when he broke up five passes.
"Their ability to change directions is unbelievable, I love coaching Kendall," Slade said. "You don't have to push him to anything, it's pulling him back so he doesn't get a penalty."
Finally, Anderson started all 11 games for Carson-Newman at corner. Anderson accrued 36 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss. He broke up 11 passes and had an interception against Catawba (Nov. 12) in the regular season finale. He topped out at five tackles on three occasions - Limestone (Sept. 17), Mars Hill (Oct. 22) and at Emory & Henry (Oct. 29). His five stops against the Wasps were all solo tackles. He redirected three passes against Erskine (Oct. 15) and blocked a kick at Tusculum (Oct. 8).
"They got around a lot of football's last year," Slade said. "We as a defense need to do a better job of turning the ball over so that when we do get a hand on a ball, we want to do a better job of catching it. It is still nice that we deflected as many passes as we did because those plays get you off the field."
Finally, Ward made five starts and played in all 11 games in his red-shirt sophomore campaign. He tallied 21 tackles with five break ups and a fumble recovery. His high watermark for tackles came at Lenoir-Rhyne (Sept. 24) when he had five stops. He produced multiple stops in seven games for C-N. He recovered his fumble against Erskine (Oct. 15).
"Jackson has really come along," Slade said. "He's getting to be one of those guys who can play every down for you. Jet hasn't started a bunch of games, but he's an extraordinary worker and just smart. He's cerebral and can make the calls necessary to get the defense lined up."
Elsewhere, Slade looks toward Baker, Benedict transfer Williams Johnson III and Ja'Laun Walton to contribute as well.
Carson-Newman's position previews continue Friday with a glimpse of the offensive line with help from Joe Ray.
