As we inch closer to the start of spring practice ODUSports.com will preview each position. Today we preview the defensive backs.
Cornerbacks Overview
Joe Joe Headen started all 12 games last season and Lance Boykin took over the opposite side corner midway through the season. Headen had seven pass breakups, while Boykin had four and an interception.
Elijah Blue started the season-opener at Liberty but got hurt in the second game of the year, while Tracy White will compete for playing time.
ODU added a pair of cornerbacks at the mid-year with Will Brocchini and Kaleb Ford-Dement.
Brocchini was a ballhawk at Sierra College (Calif.), recording 22 interceptions the last two years, 11 each season, and was a two-time JUCO All-American. Ford-Dement played at Kilgore College (Texas) and had seven interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2018.
CB's By the Numbers
| Name | Cl. | Ht. | Wt. | Misc. | |||
| Elijah Blue | Jr-r. | 6-0 | 195 | Started season opener. Missed most of season with injury | |||
| Lance Boykin | So. | 6-3 | 180 | Tall corner had 4 PBU's in five starts | |||
| Will Brocchini | Jr. | 5-9 | 170 | Great production in JUCO. Two-time All-American, 22 INT's | |||
| Kaleb Ford-Dement | Jr. | 5-11 | 170 | JUCO transfer. Seven INT's in 2018 | |||
| Joe Joe Headen | Jr-r. | 5-10 | 183 | Started all 12 games last season. Team-high 7 PBU's | |||
| Tracy White | So-r. | 6-2 | 195 | Another tall corner adds competition to position |
Safeties Overview
ODU lost a pair of starters in Justice Davila and Justin Noye, but return several players with experience and exciting newcomers.
Justin Richardson started five games as a true freshman last season and finished with 27 tackles and four pass breakups.
Geronda Hall played in 11 games last season at corner and will slide into the nickel position this spring. Hall had 39 tackles and two interceptions in 2018.
Parrish Gordon played in 10 games and registered 17 tackles, while Austin Wood saw action in a pair of games.
Damion Charity played in four games and redshirted, while Gabe Satterwhite and Aaron Maisus also redshirted.
Harrell Blackmon and R’Tarriun Johnson were added in the mid-year as junior college transfers.
Safeties By the Numbers
| Name | Cl. | Ht. | Wt. | Misc. | ||
| Harrell Blackmon | Jr. | 5-11 | 190 | JUCO transfer had 56 tackles and 4 INT's in 2018 | ||
| Damion Charity | Fr-r. | 6-1 | 170 | Redshirted. Played in 4 games last season | ||
| Parrish Gordon | Jr. | 6-0 | 213 | 17 tackles and one PBU in 2018 | ||
| Geronda Hall | So-r. | 5-10 | 170 | Team-high two INT's and 39 tackles in 2018 | ||
| R'Tarriun Johnson | Jr. | 5-11 | 190 | JUCO transfer had 66 tackles and 2 INT's in 2018 | ||
| Conor Kringel | So-r. | 6-1 | 210 | Walk-on battled injuries last season | ||
| Aaron Maisus | Fr-r. | 6-1 | 173 | Redshirted | ||
| Justinn Richardson | So. | 6-0 | 183 | 27 tackles and 4 PBU's in 2018. 5 starts | ||
| Gabe Satterwhite | Fr-r. | 6-3 | 190 | Redshirted | ||
| Austin Wood | So-r. | 6-3 | 195 | Played in 2 games |