Stanford football’s secondary shakeup could spell trouble

Stanford’s football secondary has undergone significant changes over the course of the season. Junior safety Jaivion Green opted out at the start of the season and fellow safety, graduate student Omari Porter, opted out of last week’s game against Notre Dame.

As a result, several secondary players have changed positions, while young players have broken into the starting XI earlier than expected. Junior cornerback Collin Wright filled in for Green at the nickel position during the game against Clemson – where Green was injured – and made an interception. Second-year cornerback Jshawn Frausto-Ramos has rotated through several different positions as the ranks of secondary starters continue to thin out.

“I like all positions and [I like] I help my team as much as I can,” said Frausto-Ramos. “I’ll play defensive tackle if they put me there.”

Stanford head coach Troy Taylor warned that one of the team’s main problems, currently 2-4, is its lack of depth. He noted that fourteen players on the squad were struggling with injuries.

Our progress “slows down when we don’t have all the players,” Taylor said. “We need to utilize young people instead of withdrawing from the transfer portal.”

Due to the lack of transfers through the portal, Taylor continued, freshman cornerbacks Cam Richardson and Brandon Nicholson should see more time on the field.

While the Cardinals’ rush defense remains highly ranked in the Atlantic Coast Conference, their pass defense has struggled, particularly in stopping big plays. In last week’s matchup against Notre Dame, Stanford gave up 248 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in a 49-7 win.

The Cardinals’ defense is concerned about their upcoming game against SMU, with both Taylor and Frausto-Ramos acknowledging that SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings poses a serious threat to their unit.

“SMU has a really fast pace and a good quarterback,” Taylor said.

With Porter and Green unavailable next week and cornerbacks Aaron Morris and Zahran Manley both questionable, it’s likely the revolving door of Stanford’s secondary lineup will continue to rotate.

Taylor expressed slight concern about having to ask his players to change positions so suddenly.

“There are a number of residues [effects] That’s what happens when you lose a safety and have to transfer a corner to nickel and play a new corner,” he said.

It seems clear that Stanford’s secondary desperately needs stability heading into Saturday’s matchup with a tough opponent like SMU. Still, there is reason for hope. The young team promises good fortune for the future as its freshmen and sophomore players gain experience sooner rather than later.

“We like our young people,” Taylor said. “It’s good to give them the opportunity to show what they can do.”