WSU Football: Will Cougs Be Better Off Starting Youth or Veterans at Corner?

Aug 30, 2012; Provo, UT, USA; Washington State Cougars cornerback Nolan Washington (2) brings down Brigham Young Cougars tight end Kaneakua Friel (bottom) during the third quarter at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The cornerback position is a scary proposition (pun intended) for Cougar fans right now, for several reasons. The most obvious has to be that none of the prospective CB’s going into 2013 had an interception last season. Keep in mind that the two “top” guys at the position as we discuss this (it could change in short order the way Daquawn Brown’s camp is going) are redshirt seniors. Those two senior guys are Damante Horton and Nolan Washington. Horton had a nice sophomore campaign with 4 picks but fell off the grid with defensive scheme changes. Washington in my opinion has just never quite “got it” and continues to struggle with simple things like when it’s important to give cushion and when it’s critical to press a guy in goal to go situations.

Speaking of Brown, he’s a freshman and as good as he may be, there are bound to be freshmen mistakes against the array of ballers he’ll be lining up against at receiver this season. He’ll get an ample chance to play, starter or not, so it’s should be quite interesting to see how he handles it. At the very least we can bet he’ll play the best verbal-D the Cougs have to offer.

For the record I expect Damante to have a “breakout” type year with 5 or 6 picks and Brown on the other side to take Nolan’s spot in the starting rotation as of week 1. I also expect Nolan will be ready to step in if either of those two falter or get hurt. Redshirt freshmen Rahmel Dockery and Alex Jackson are getting more physical and flash solid athletic ability from time to time but are too inconsistent to make immediate impact unless they are forced too via injury.

Then there’s frosh Charleston White, who is maybe right around the corner from challenging the other two for first time on the field. Finally, there’s redshirt junior Tracy Clark, who I don’t expect to see the field at CB but do expect to get extensive time in a couple of special teams roles.

So I put it to you Cougs; Young or Veteran in 2013?