Plant Panthers Summer Preview – Defensive Backs

The defensive secondary may not just be the strength of the defense, it’s probably the strength of the whole team…and that’s saying a lot.

The Panthers return all four starting defensive backs from last year, they are all seniors with at least two years of experience on the Plant defense, and there are even some new faces that will factor into the mix.

“We’ve never had four guys that are that strong out there in the secondary,” said defensive backs coach Bo Puckett.

Leading the group is Stanford commit, Drew Madhu. Madhu is a four-year starter for the Panthers and will line up at strong safety. Madhu led the Panthers in tackles last year (121 total) from strong safety and figures to post similar numbers this year.

“Drew has a great combination of size, speed and intelligence that make him lethal as a defensive player,” said defensive coordinator John Few. “It’s his unique combination of all three that makes him so special.”

Madhu is rangy and runs downhill, he’s also (nine times out of ten) the smartest player on the field. Drew is going to Stanford as a strong safety and as a quarterback. The Panthers have no room for Drew in their stable of quarterbacks but Stanford obviously has room for him. Quarterback and strong safety have striking similarities as far as what skills you need to excel at each position.

“I learned from the best…Mike Mirabella, Hunter Baldwin, Javonte “Lockdown” Martin,” said Madhu. “ I credit my learning to those guys.”

Plant won three state titles with those guys.

Manning the free safety spot is Paris Bostick. Bostick, like Madhu, has a spot on offense as well. However, Bostick will play and factor heavily into the running back rotation this year. Bostick is being recruited as a running back by Boston College, Pittsburgh, USF, Notre Dame, just to name a few. However, his length and athleticism make him very dangerous in the secondary. Bostick credits Bo Puckett and Drew Madhu with helping him develop into an elite defensive back.

“We like hitting in this group,” Bostick said, “now more than ever.”

Another defensive back that will be playing Division 1 college football next year is Antonio Crawford. Crawford recently accepted an offer from Georgia Tech to play corner back for the Yellow Jackets. Crawford is not the biggest guy, but he compensates with his closing speed and leaping ability. He put together 55 total tackles and tied for the team lead in interceptions with three. Crawford can out-leap receivers that have several inches on him; and if opposing offenses don’t put their best receiver in front of him, he will most likely lock down the other side.

“It feels good to know I’m surrounded by such a great group,” said Crawford. “We all push each other harder.”

“We’re so loaded at the position, it’s not even funny,” said Puckett. “We’ve never gone into a season with this much confidence at the position.”

Playing opposite Crawford will be Justin McDowell. McDowell cracked the starting lineup this year, thanks greatly to his off season conditioning. He weighed in at 175 last season. Well, he grew a couple inches and added about ten pounds of muscle. If you didn’t know all the other kids on in the defensive secondary, you’d ask about McDowell. He probably has the best physique of the bunch.

Newcomer Keenan Stalls is a senior and coming off a state champion Hillside, North Carolina team.

“This team is more disciplined, they understand the game better,” said Stalls.

Stalls played very well in 7-on-7 competition this year and has not escaped the eye of defensive coordinator John Few.

“He will play a lot this year, if he doesn’t end up starting for us,” said Few.

It doesn’t even stop at five defensive backs either. Senior David Lerom and junior Dakota Velasquez will factor into the mix at defensive back as well.

“Teams are going to have a hard time figuring out what we’re doing back there because of our experience at the position,” said Puckett.