Malik Forshee is slated to start at cornerback this fall after transferring from Madison County, opposite Clint Graham. Coach Michael Holland said Graham had a great offseason. (Photo/Andy Johnston)
Clint Graham and Malik Forshee will see plenty of action in the defensive backfield this season.
Coach Michael Holland said Graham had a “great” offseason and is “set to make a lot of big plays this year.”
“We focused a lot this offseason on visual discipline,” he said. “It’s a fundamental thing, where you look at what you’re supposed to look at and do exactly what that visual tells you to do.”
He said not to worry about what other other positions are doing and has a goal to make the defensive backs “much better with their eyes.”
Coming in with previous experience from Madison County High School, senior cornerback Malik Forshee said he has been working to get his hips right and keeping his eyes on the wide receiver at all times.
“That’s where sometimes most defensive backs lack, is just watching the backfield and watching what play is going on,” he said.
He added his goal is to help the team “win some more games,” and hopes to have 20-25 tackles this season.
Holland added sophomore Hayden Williams can play any position on the perimeter.
Williams, a former JV player who now starts, said he has a goal to “stay disciplined” and “do (his) own job” while on the field.
He added that coaches were “way more serious” about summer practice than last year, after the Patriots ended with a 0-10 record.
“After a horrible season, I feel like they should be, and I’m OK with that,” he said. “I feel like they push us to where we should be now.”