Cornerbacks coach Chip Viney, who came over with head coach Brent Brennan from San Jose State, wants his Arizona players to be complete corners and play with superb technique.
Viney helped San Jose State record 12 interceptions last season, and he hopes that number skyrockets this year. Arizona picked off nine passes in 2023, its most since 2019, but only three came from corners.
Going along with the theme of some of the other defensive coaches, having the ability to have a strong rotation of players is something Viney wants going into the season.
“We’ll have a nice rotation of guys and we’re still bringing along with some of the new young guys as well that will contribute,” said Viney. “We have some guys that can play multiple positions and we feel really comfortable moving forward.”
With defensive coordinator Duane Akina wanting his defensive linemen to get vertical and across the line of scrimmage, it is going to be putting the corners on islands. Viney is looking for how well his corners are with their technique, given that they’re going to be on those islands.
“That’s what wins out on the islands when you’re playing one on one,” he said. “Having the understanding that it’s a tough task and you’re not gonna win them all, but the more you can play technique, the more opportunity you have to be successful.”
With wanting technique, Viney also wants his corners to be complete, and one of the players he has been challenging with this specifically is Tacario Davis. Davis had 15 pass breakups last season but is still being asked to do more from his position coach.
“Just finishing the play, being there is not enough, emphasizing actually finishing the play,” Viney said. “Being able to play on the tight ends, fitting the run, being the edge of the defense, the leverage point guy, and then just completing his game out on the perimeter.”
Davis, who was in the transfer portal for most of the spring, returns to Arizona knowing that there is always room for improvement.
“Just keep stacking days and taking it day by day,” he said. “I can’t do it all in one day…being a better version of myself each and every day, and come and compete, having fun.”
Playing on the other side of the field, Marquis Groves-Killebrew has been able to fill the shoes of Ephesians Prysock who transferred to Washington.
“Just a guy that’s eager to learn and get it done,” Viney said. “A guy that shows up early, stays late, trying to really perfect his craft.”
Groves-Killebrew comes from Louisville and Texas A&M, where he saw little playing time due to injury.
“I had a nagging groin injury, it was messing with me,” he said. “I feel great now, best I’ve felt since I got to college.”
His goal is to add to the depth of the Arizona secondary, given that it is already an experience group of guys. He gave credit to strength and conditioning coach Cullen Carroll for his physical improvement.
“I feel like Coach Carroll really helped us with our mobility, like our hips,” Groves-Killebrew said.
He also went on to praise Akina for helping with his perspective on his position.
“He’s definitely going to teach you the ins and outs of the offense,” said Groves-Killebrew. “What the offense is thinking, what the quarterback is thinking, and he’s helped me a lot in that aspect.”
