Editor’s note: This is the latest in a series of articles focusing on the different positions up for grabs during spring practice. Today’s edition focuses on the defensive backs.

One of the sore spots from the 2006 campaign for the ISU football team was the defensive backfield. That must change if Iowa State hopes to improve from last year’s 4-8 record.

Last season, the defense was hampered as a whole by injuries across the board, but probably no unit had as much tough luck and turbulence as the secondary.

The Cyclones had to begin the year without safety James Smith and then during the course of the season lost senior defensive leader DeAndre Jackson at cornerback.

Adding to the chaos was Jon Banks’ midseason switch to linebacker, creating a perfect storm that turned one of the conference’s best defensive units into one of the worst.

The final numbers from 2006 were not pretty – 101st in the country in passing defense, 102nd in total defense, and 105th in scoring defense.

Ouch.

But there may be a silver lining in all of last year’s troubles. Iowa State began the spring with two sophomores, Smith and Drenard Williams (cornerback), who gained experience and could anchor the secondary for the next three years.

“We’re proud of the secondary right now,” ISU coach Gene Chizik said of the unit’s progress through the spring. “They’ve really caught on to what we’re trying to get accomplished.”

Junior Chris Singleton also returns at cornerback along with senior safety Caleb Berg. Chizik said he wouldn’t label anyone a lock for a top spot heading into the spring game and fall practice just yet, but is still pleased with the unit.

“We really feel good about the strides that everybody is making back there as a whole,” Chizik said. “I don’t think anyone has just stepped to the front and won it outright, but they’re very attentive to details.”

Chizik also said the effort and attitude shown by the secondary have gone a long way not only in their progress, but the team’s progress as well.

“They want to do it right,” Chizik said. “They want to be good. They want to be physical. That’s where we’re the most pleased. We’re always going to have mistakes to correct, but we’re very pleased with the enthusiasm and effort they’re putting in at practice.”

Assistant coach Jeff Koonz said the secondary has the talent to be good and echoed many of Chizik’s comments when it came to effort and attitude by the unit.

“They really take pride in being a physical football team and we’re going to keep pressing that,” Koonz said. “They’ve really done a good job buying in to everything so far.”

Still, both Chizik and Koonz said the secondary may have the most pressure out of all positions on the team. Turning around last year’s pass defense ranking of 101st in the nation will be the best way to gauge how successful Iowa State can be.

Yet, Koonz said the secondary has welcomed the challenge and has gotten better in spite of the added pressure.

“I think that goes for any football team,” Koonz said. “The defensive secondary as a whole is going to have a lot of pressure on them because if they make a mistake it’s a touchdown and I think they understand that.

“I think right now I really like the way guys understand what we’re trying to do. They’re playing smart right now. There’s some ability back there and we just have to keep working on technique and learning the whole package back there.”

There is still plenty of progress to be made before the secondary – and the team, for that matter – is ready to open the season. And to make sure players stay focused and hungry, Koonz said nobody will be handed anything as far as starting spots go.

“What we’re asking them to do now is when we’re out there for two hours to stay focused and just continue to get better,” Koonz said. “Right now we’re telling our guys we don’t have a depth chart. It’s open season back there. We want guys that are going to do it right and play hard and they all understand that.”

This article is part of a series.This is the previous story.