Breaking Down The Aggies' 3-4 Defense: Free Safety

In the 3-4 defense, the Free Safety (FS) is ultimately the last line of defense. Often the best overall athlete of all the defensive backs on the team, the FS has to be able to cover wide receivers deep, and be fast enough to come up and help shut down the running game. The FS has to be a sure-tackler, because he is usually the last player between the opposing offensive player and the end zone, so he is the last resort to prevent a big play. In a 3-4 scheme, the FS can be used as something of a Rover, called on to cover centerfield in the zone, taking the deep middle in the passing game, but also used in quarters coverage or man coverage on slot receivers. The FS will also be used to bracket opposing star receivers who are too talented or too fast to cover one-on-one. In the 44 Cover 3 base R.C. Slocum used for his 3-4 scheme, the FS was responsible for the deep middle of the Cover 3 zone. In the 3-4 zone blitzing scheme we'll be using under DeRuyter, the FS should be active in blitzes, Cover 1, Cover 2, Cover 3, Quarters, and various zone schemes with man-under coverage. Our FS will need the athletic ability to run sideline-to-sideline, while also possessing the football IQ to call coverages for the whole secondary. You also have to be very mentally tough as a FS, because if you make a mistake, that means a big play for the opposing offense, and you have to be able to shake that off and keep playing.

Let's look at the candidates to play Free Safety in our 3-4 scheme.  

Steven Terrell, So, 5'10, 188 lbs

Terrell played the Rover in a 33 Stack scheme at Allen HS on the way to a state championship his senior season. The Rover is basically the FS in a 33 Stack, because he is the last player between the opposing offense and the end zone. Terrell was recruited to A&M as a CB, because of his coverage ability in the passing game. He was used a little last season, playng as a true freshman. He appeared in all 13 games, but was most productive on special teams, where half of his 8 tackles on the season happened. Terrell's experience as a Rover in HS and his time playing as a CB last season make him a perfect candidate for FS in our 3-4 scheme. Terrell has been playing at FS this Spring so far, so Fs is where I expect to see him in the Fall.

Stephen Campbell, So, 6'0, 195 lbs

Campbell backed up Jordan Pugh at FS last season, earning a start against Oklahoma State when Pugh was injured. Campbell appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman, racking up 25 tackles, half a sack, and 1 PBU. Campbell has the experience and ability to play FS for us this year, and is competing for the starting spot this Spring.

Bradley Stephens, Jr, 5'10, 200 lbs

Stephens, a fourth-year junior, has spent the last three years at RB. Unable to crack the RB rotation with Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael having that position locked up, Stephens is just trying to find another way to get onto the field, and his athleticism is an asset at the FS position. Cracing the two-deep at FS might be tough for Stephens, given the talent ahead of him, but I'm rooting for his success, simply because he chose to stay at A&M and try to help the team, instead of transferring somewhere else where he could have started at RB.

Ultimately, I expect Terrell to become our starter at FS in the Fall, with Campbell being the first player off the bench to replace him. Ste[phens could see some action in nickel or dime situations, though, depending on how quickly he develops.