Don't forget about Jamel Dean

[WFE12 8,882]

Don’t forget about Jamel Dean in Auburn football’s reloading 2017 secondary

Justin Ferguson - Sec Country

HOOVER, Ala. — Auburn football has to replace one of its starting cornerbacks from last season in Josh Holsey. While Javaris Davis took over in spring camp, the player in line to start ahead of both is almost done with his comeback process.

Sophomore Jamel Dean, a former Ohio State signee, is almost completely healed from a serious knee injury he suffered last August. Before that major setback in preseason camp, Dean looked like he would start for the Tigers opposite fellow Florida native Carlton Davis.

 

“Jamel Dean, if he stays healthy last year, he was in the mix to start,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said last week at SEC Media Days. “He is in a good spot. He’s getting healthier. I think he’s probably 90, 95 percent right now. Very excited about him.”

MORE: Mike Horton is primed to be Auburn’s next great offensive lineman

Dean didn’t fully participate in Auburn’s spring camp earlier this year as he continued his recovery. However, he was able to flash some of the physical tools that made him a coveted recruit and transfer pickup for the Tigers back in 2015.

“Jamel is a great player,” senior safety Tray Matthews said last week. “He’s an amazing athlete — fast, strong, big. He will compete.”

After redshirting in 2015 after his transfer to Auburn, Dean looked like the perfect pairing with Carlton Davis heading into 2016.

At 6-foot-2, Dean had the ideal size and length to cover some of the go-to outside receivers that thrive in the SEC. He also provided great speed, something that he’s been able to replicate since his knee injury.

 

“He’s one of our faster players,” Malzahn said. “He’s 205 pounds, he’s got long arms like Carlton, he’s very coachable. He has a chance to be one of our best special teams players. Last year, before he got hurt, we were thinking he was going to be an impact player on special teams.”

MORE: New 15-yard penalty for leaving sidelines ‘concerns’ Gus Malzahn

New Auburn defensive backs coach Greg Brown got a glimpse of what Dean could bring to the Tigers secondary in camp, even if it was on a limited basis.

“He really has that length, but he hasn’t been able to do much physical,” Brown said this spring. “These guys knew what he could do in the past, all his physical skills. So I’m really excited to see him once he does out of that knee brace, how well he’s really healed up.

“He’s a great kid. He’s always got a smile on his face. Love having him around.”

By the time fall camp starts on July 31, Auburn hopes Dean will be close to 100 percent.

 

Dean will have a chance to battle for the starting cornerback job he almost landed last fall before his injury. According to Matthews, everything is up for grabs in a secondary with a new position coach (Greg Coach) and two departed seniors (Holsey and nickel back Rudy Ford).

“(Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin) Steele, he wipes down the board, and we start over,” Matthews said. “There’s no starter. (Dean) definitely has the chance to start. We don’t have guaranteed jobs. People in the NFL don’t have guaranteed jobs, so we don’t need them either.”

https://www.seccountry.com/auburn/auburn-football-jamel-dean-injury-starter-2017-fall-camp?utm_campaign=SF_Carvell_AJC&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social

[AUld fAUx@ 2,584]

13 minutes ago, WFE12 said:

Don’t forget about Jamel Dean in Auburn football’s reloading 2017 secondary

Justin Ferguson - Sec Country

...Dean will have a chance to battle for the starting cornerback job he almost landed last fall before his injury. According to Matthews, everything is up for grabs in a secondary with a new position coach (Greg Coach) and two departed seniors (Holsey and nickel back Rudy Ford)...

 

Coach Greg Coach would be kind'a cool (like Major Major in Catch 22?), but I think either Mr Ferguson or i slipped a cog.

[abw0004 9,943]

I am excited for Dean as well as Dinson.  I thought Dinson would be a star before his injury the way he played in games.  If they will truly be 100%, our secondary can be the best I have ever seen at Auburn.  Especially, if our defensive line repeats the same performance of 2016, thus making the already talented DB's jobs even easier.

[cole256 16,372]

I'm hoping Dean will be pretty good. I wasn't as up on the secondary as much as others. I thought they should've played much better with the pass rush they were getting. I'm hoping everything clicks this year

[WFE12 8,882]

He is definitely going to be put to good use against teams like ole miss. He's that big, fast rangy CB that we've been needing for a while against the bigger receivers.

[AUpreacherman22 3,584]

6 hours ago, abw0004 said:

I am excited for Dean as well as Dinson.  I thought Dinson would be a star before his injury the way he played in games.  If they will truly be 100%, our secondary can be the best I have ever seen at Auburn.  Especially, if our defensive line repeats the same performance of 2016, thus making the already talented DB's jobs even easier.

I'm not sure about best you've ever seen, unless you've only been watching the last 10 years or so, but yeah this Secondary has the potential to be very good!  We have about 6 or 7 guys that I trust back there, so depth is a concern.  We're a couple of injuries away from being in serious trouble (unless we have a couple of Carlton Davis type surprises coming in this year)

[GwillMac6 19,454]

forget about him?! heck no!!! This is our best corner situation in ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ??????????I am drawing a blank!!! easily since the tubs years and maybe even before. Carlton Davis, Dean and J Davis as our top 3 corners?! YES PLEASE!!!!! WAR DAMN CORNERBACKS FINALLY!!! It usually is our weakest position give or take most years.

[SumterAubie 2,923]

I wonder.

considering the horrific set of injuries Dinson incurred if there will be any lingering mental concerns. Such as a hesitancy to make a tackle or engage a would be blocker. 

[GwillMac6 19,454]

Just now, SumterAubie said:

I wonder.

considering the horrific set of injuries Dinson incurred if there will be any lingering mental concerns. Such as a hesitancy to make a tackle or engage a would be blocker. 

why you got to dump some cold water on our parade?! lol BOOOOOOO WE WANT A SUNSHINE PUMPER NOT A REALIST!!! BOOOOOO!!!!!!

[CleCoTiger 1,957]

10 minutes ago, GwillMac6 said:

why you got to dump some cold water on our parade?! lol BOOOOOOO WE WANT A SUNSHINE PUMPER NOT A REALIST!!! BOOOOOO!!!!!!

 

Why is it that the people who look for the dark cloud no matter how sunny the day seemingly always refer to themselves as realists?  I don't get it.  There is a certain segment of society and the AU fan base that seems to be perpetual pessimists.  Where's the fun in that?

[GwillMac6 19,454]

3 minutes ago, CleCoTiger said:

 

Why is it that the people who look for the dark cloud no matter how sunny the day seemingly always refer to themselves as realists?  I don't get it.  There is a certain segment of society and the AU fan base that seems to be perpetual pessimists.  Where's the fun in that?

as someone who is a sunshine realist well the best way I can put this is there just seems to always be something negative and bad around the corner when it concerns AU athletics. Not just  football. We can never coast and string together good season after good season let alone great season after great season and enjoy them in absolute bliss. Look no further than the drama of this past softball season for the latest example of the type of crap that seems to follow our beloved university around like the plague.......

[alexava 6,946]

I guess I did forget. Remind me when he got injured? Before arriving here?

[GwillMac6 19,454]

Just now, alexava said:

I guess I did forget. Remind me when he got injured? Before arriving here?

before arriving here and last fall camp I do believe.

[milehighfan 1,211]

He has certainly showed a lot of fortitude, battling back from two serious knee injuries. I hope he can avoid the injury bug this year.

[abw0004 9,943]

13 hours ago, SumterAubie said:

I wonder.

considering the horrific set of injuries Dinson incurred if there will be any lingering mental concerns. Such as a hesitancy to make a tackle or engage a would be blocker. 

All reports are saying he is playing like he never got hurt.  This was evident in the spring game where he played very well.  Expect him to play like Holsey did last year.

[toddc 12,370]

I can't believe he has come back from two major injuries and still one of our fastest players! Amazing!!! how doctors can put them back together and they can be as good as before almost. See Holsey as a great example.