Previous Breakdowns: Defensive Line, Linebackers

BALTIMORE, MD - In the third of a seven-part series breaking down the 2014 Johns Hopkins football team, HopkinsSports.com takes a look at the Blue Jay secondary. While newcomers to the program may make an impact this season, the breakdown includes only returning players.

Who's Back: Well, pretty much everyone. Johns Hopkins did not have a senior defensive back on the team last season and every player who played a meaningful snap in the secondary is back for head coach Jim Margraff.

Making the Move: Despite having all three starters and a number of other experienced players back in the fold, there are changes in the secondary. Senior Ryan Rice, a First Team All-Centennial selection at cornerback last season after registering 27 tackles, four pass breakups and three interceptions, is moving to safety. Rice has made a seamless transition to the middle of the field and has drawn favorable comparisons to Michael Milano, a three-time First Team All-Centennial selection from 2009-11.

With Rice sliding from the outside to the middle, defensive coordinator Mickey Rehring has moved junior TJ Reeves from safety to cornerback, where he has also settled in nicely. Reeves had 21 tackles and three pass breakups last season as JHU's primary backup at safety.

Staying Home: While Rice and Reeves are flipping positions, the Blue Jays count two other experienced cornerbacks in senior Jimmy Holder and junior Curtis Antrum. Holder started 10 games at one cornerback spot a year ago and finished with 24 tackles and four pass breakups, while Antrum earned two starts in the nine games he played. Antrum has great speed and is a sure tackler as he registered 25 stops a year ago.

A number of other players are likely to find time in the secondary with senior Patrick Eichner and sophomore Jack Toner the headlining the group. Eicher will backup Rice at safety after playing in all 11 games last season, while Toner saw time in 10 games and had 13 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown.

Numbers to Know
33 - Johns Hopkins played 11 games and started three players in the secondary in each of those games. Every player who started a game in the secondary last season is back for the Blue Jays this season.

54.5 - While pass defense is not just about the defensive backs, this group did fuel a unit that allowed the opposition to complete just 54.5% of its pass attempts last season - this was the second-lowest completion percentage allowed by a team in the Centennial Conference.

135 - Johns Hopkins is likely to employ a rotation that goes at least eight deep in the secondary. Still, the top six should see the majority of the time early on that group of six - Ryan Rice, Patrick Eichner, Jimmy Holder, Curtis Antrum, TJ Reeves and Jack Toner - have played in a combined 135 games in their career.

- Pride and Poise -