When the season started, Ohio's secondary was considered the team's weak spot.
With the line clogged of previous starters and the linebackers returning, the secondary followed with inexperience.
Javon Hagan, a free safety, wants the assumption to continue.
In two starts, Hagan, a redshirt freshman from Jacksonville, Florida, has two interceptions, 11 tackles and a forced fumble.
After a 30-24 Homecoming win over Bowling Green last Saturday, he was named the Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week.
“I feel like the press thinks that since we are young we cannot make plays,” he said after the win. “So every week we go in with a chip on our shoulder, we feel like we have to make a play since they do not think we can. I think it’s overblown, but they should keep doing it.”
Hagan has a point.
Through six games, the Bobcats have nine interceptions, which leads the MAC. But given Ohio also has the conference’s best run defense (112 yards per game), opponents are forced to throw it into Ohio’s now proven secondary.
Hagan is a good anecdote for the secondary’s success.
Despite 2016 being his first season, he’s molded into a role that makes him a cemented starting free safety. Some of that comes from Bo Hardy also taking carries as a running back due to a depleted depth at the position.
“We have so much talent in the secondary,” strong safety Toran Davis said. “He waited patiently and never complained. When it was his time to step up he definitely did. He also has a leadership role he brings to the team and he challenges the older guys to step up, especially me.”
For coach Frank Solich, Hagan is an example of a young player stepping into a position and instantly finding success, even if previous experience is limited.
“He’s a good player for us as a freshman,” Solich said. “Not only does he make picks and do some of the flashy kind of stuff, but he is a physical guy against the run and makes tackles and can play off blocks of receivers and be a force. He’s off to a great start.”
Against Bowling Green, Hagan had an interception and a forced fumble. Additionally, his nine tackles tied him with linebacker Blair Brown for a team-high.
One of the tackles was for a loss, showing Hagan’s presence dropping back on pass coverage while stuffing players behind the line of scrimmage.
“I am thirsty for more,” he said of his play and versatility. “I am trying to be the best player I can be for my team. It isn’t about myself, but it is about my team. I am trying to get the ball to the offense so they can score.”
So far, his plan has worked.
Ohio is 2-0 in the MAC and plays Eastern Michigan (4-2, 1-1 MAC), a team that averages 258 passing yards a game. The Eagles also have thrown 10 interceptions, the second-most in the conference.
