Post by elon_phan on Apr 21, 2007 21:04:26 GMT -5
Position switch suits Elon's Daniels
Adam Smith / Times-News
April 21, 2007 3:00 AM
ELON — Daronce Daniels could sense that he was packing on weight-room strength. And he could see that football teammate Andreas Platt was gaining more blistering speed.
So having contemplated the athletic depth in place at Elon University’s safety spot, he determined a meeting with defensive coordinator Jay Bateman was in order.
Soon thereafter, when Bateman became the first to broach the subject of a possible switch to outside linebacker, Daniels’ eyes widened.
“I was like, ‘You kind of just read my mind because that’s what I wanted to talk to you about too,’ ” the rising junior said.
His move closer to the line of scrimmage stands as Elon’s most prominent position change heading into tonight’s spring game, which marks the 15th and final workout on the spring practice schedule.
Daniels, who has played in all 22 games during his two Elon seasons, has established the reputation of a productive contributor to the Phoenix defense.
He supplied 54 tackles last year from strong safety to finish fifth on the team and ninth among Southern Conference defensive backs.
And in somewhat of a statement about his preference to be utilized aggressively, Daniels’ 2½ quarterback sacks ranked higher than every other Elon defender not named Chad Nkang.
“We are willing to give up a little bit of size to get our best athletes and the most speed we possibly can on the field,” Elon coach Pete Lembo said. “It’s working out well. I think Daronce is playing a position that really suits his athleticism.”
Daniels weighs 210 after adding 10 pounds. He said he has embraced the move to linebacker, which returns him to a position familiar from his prep career at Princeton High School in Cincinnati.
It’s a switch that should add another dimension of agility to an Elon defense predicated on swiftness.
With Chris Bland, Nolan Ward and Platt — a Duke transfer who sat out last season — remaining to fill the two safety spots, seven of the Phoenix’s 11 defensive starters this fall could be players who were originally recruited as defensive backs.
“I believe we might be as tad bit faster as a whole linebacking corps,” said Corey Weaver, Elon’s leading returning tackler. “The way our defense is set up, that’s what we need, because we’re not as big up front in our D-line. So we have to be fast at linebacker and more nimble to make plays.”
Daniels has used Elon’s 14 spring practices to mentally retrain for his third position in a Phoenix uniform. He played cornerback in 2005 as a true freshman under former coach Paul Hamilton’s staff before changing to strong safety.
There have been moments when Bateman installs a new package and Daniels goes from confused before the snap to caught in traffic.
But for each of those there have been others that showcase potential. Recently, chirpy receiver Terrell Hudgins caught a screen pass and immediately became engulfed by a swarm of defenders.
“You know how much he loves to talk,” Daniels said. “So it kind of got everybody fired up. I can’t ever remember a time that everybody just got there that fast.
“Sometimes it has its bumps. But when you finally see everything come together, it’s like Mozart. It’s beautiful, the speed that’s out there. That’s the only way I can describe it.”
Adam Smith / Times-News
April 21, 2007 3:00 AM
ELON — Daronce Daniels could sense that he was packing on weight-room strength. And he could see that football teammate Andreas Platt was gaining more blistering speed.
So having contemplated the athletic depth in place at Elon University’s safety spot, he determined a meeting with defensive coordinator Jay Bateman was in order.
Soon thereafter, when Bateman became the first to broach the subject of a possible switch to outside linebacker, Daniels’ eyes widened.
“I was like, ‘You kind of just read my mind because that’s what I wanted to talk to you about too,’ ” the rising junior said.
His move closer to the line of scrimmage stands as Elon’s most prominent position change heading into tonight’s spring game, which marks the 15th and final workout on the spring practice schedule.
Daniels, who has played in all 22 games during his two Elon seasons, has established the reputation of a productive contributor to the Phoenix defense.
He supplied 54 tackles last year from strong safety to finish fifth on the team and ninth among Southern Conference defensive backs.
And in somewhat of a statement about his preference to be utilized aggressively, Daniels’ 2½ quarterback sacks ranked higher than every other Elon defender not named Chad Nkang.
“We are willing to give up a little bit of size to get our best athletes and the most speed we possibly can on the field,” Elon coach Pete Lembo said. “It’s working out well. I think Daronce is playing a position that really suits his athleticism.”
Daniels weighs 210 after adding 10 pounds. He said he has embraced the move to linebacker, which returns him to a position familiar from his prep career at Princeton High School in Cincinnati.
It’s a switch that should add another dimension of agility to an Elon defense predicated on swiftness.
With Chris Bland, Nolan Ward and Platt — a Duke transfer who sat out last season — remaining to fill the two safety spots, seven of the Phoenix’s 11 defensive starters this fall could be players who were originally recruited as defensive backs.
“I believe we might be as tad bit faster as a whole linebacking corps,” said Corey Weaver, Elon’s leading returning tackler. “The way our defense is set up, that’s what we need, because we’re not as big up front in our D-line. So we have to be fast at linebacker and more nimble to make plays.”
Daniels has used Elon’s 14 spring practices to mentally retrain for his third position in a Phoenix uniform. He played cornerback in 2005 as a true freshman under former coach Paul Hamilton’s staff before changing to strong safety.
There have been moments when Bateman installs a new package and Daniels goes from confused before the snap to caught in traffic.
But for each of those there have been others that showcase potential. Recently, chirpy receiver Terrell Hudgins caught a screen pass and immediately became engulfed by a swarm of defenders.
“You know how much he loves to talk,” Daniels said. “So it kind of got everybody fired up. I can’t ever remember a time that everybody just got there that fast.
“Sometimes it has its bumps. But when you finally see everything come together, it’s like Mozart. It’s beautiful, the speed that’s out there. That’s the only way I can describe it.”