University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Secondary Ready to Put Panthers in Title Mix
7/27/2017 8:56:00 AM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Jeff Burris has waited five years for this opportunity and he cannot wait to have the secondary put the University of Northern Iowa football team in the mix for a national title.
Burris joined the UNI staff this spring after stints at Notre Dame and in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. But he has not been able to coach on the field since his year at the University of Massachusetts in 2012.
"I came to UNI because of the winning tradition and the quality athletes that this institution has produced," Burris said. "The quality of coaching that has come out of here is great. We have stellar teachers in Mark Farley and Jeremiah Johnson and that's what drew me here. I want to win and the goal is to win a national championship."
This year's Panther secondary has a mix of experience and untested talent. UNI returns a pair of second-team all-Missouri Valley Football Conference selections in senior Malcolm Washington (Houston, Texas) and senior Elijah Campbell (St. Paul, Minnesota). Despite their return – it's still only their second year in the Panther program leaving them room to push their talent limits even higher.
"In spring ball, the guys knew all the calls and I was the one doing the learning," Burris said. "But that also made it easier for me because they were where they needed to be. Now there's still room for improvement because even though we have experience, we still have guys who have only started a handful of games. I do like our volume of corners and safeties."
Burris said he is impressed with the depth of talent in the secondary – including guys like A.J. Allen, Korby Sander, Nikholi Jaghai, Xavior Williams, Isaiah Nimmers, Rashadeem Gray and Jamahl Scott.
Burris said the Panther defensive backs will be ready for all challenges in 2017.
"Each and every year there is turnover in the secondary and you have to develop guys so they are ready to contribute," Burris said. "The secondary is the last line of defense and is highly scrutinized – but we take pride in that. We can't rest on our laurels and we have to prove it day-in and day-out. It's not just on game day, we have to improve day-to-day."
UNI has produced plenty of pros in the Mark Farley era with the Panthers as evidenced by Deiondre' Hall, Makinton Dorleant and Benny Sapp – and they have set the bar high for the Panther secondary.
"They have set a standard in our secondary that far exceeds a lot of FBS teams," Burris said. "There is plenty to be excited about for us. Our defensive backs have produced a lot of talent and quality football players – more than just athletes."
With the 2017 season looming, it's only a matter of time to determine who will step up in the secondary and lead the Panthers deep into the FCS playoffs.
Burris joined the UNI staff this spring after stints at Notre Dame and in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. But he has not been able to coach on the field since his year at the University of Massachusetts in 2012.
"I came to UNI because of the winning tradition and the quality athletes that this institution has produced," Burris said. "The quality of coaching that has come out of here is great. We have stellar teachers in Mark Farley and Jeremiah Johnson and that's what drew me here. I want to win and the goal is to win a national championship."
This year's Panther secondary has a mix of experience and untested talent. UNI returns a pair of second-team all-Missouri Valley Football Conference selections in senior Malcolm Washington (Houston, Texas) and senior Elijah Campbell (St. Paul, Minnesota). Despite their return – it's still only their second year in the Panther program leaving them room to push their talent limits even higher.
"In spring ball, the guys knew all the calls and I was the one doing the learning," Burris said. "But that also made it easier for me because they were where they needed to be. Now there's still room for improvement because even though we have experience, we still have guys who have only started a handful of games. I do like our volume of corners and safeties."
Burris said he is impressed with the depth of talent in the secondary – including guys like A.J. Allen, Korby Sander, Nikholi Jaghai, Xavior Williams, Isaiah Nimmers, Rashadeem Gray and Jamahl Scott.
Burris said the Panther defensive backs will be ready for all challenges in 2017.
"Each and every year there is turnover in the secondary and you have to develop guys so they are ready to contribute," Burris said. "The secondary is the last line of defense and is highly scrutinized – but we take pride in that. We can't rest on our laurels and we have to prove it day-in and day-out. It's not just on game day, we have to improve day-to-day."
UNI has produced plenty of pros in the Mark Farley era with the Panthers as evidenced by Deiondre' Hall, Makinton Dorleant and Benny Sapp – and they have set the bar high for the Panther secondary.
"They have set a standard in our secondary that far exceeds a lot of FBS teams," Burris said. "There is plenty to be excited about for us. Our defensive backs have produced a lot of talent and quality football players – more than just athletes."
With the 2017 season looming, it's only a matter of time to determine who will step up in the secondary and lead the Panthers deep into the FCS playoffs.
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