2021 SLU Football Preseason Position Report No. 9: Safeties
Position: Safeties
Position Coaches: Bill D’Ottavio (First season at SLU); Antonio Baker (Second season at SLU)
Returners: Robert Buquoi (6-2, 210, Fr.), Justin Douglas (Justin Dumas (6-1, 195, Fr.), Jack Henderson (6-3, 205, Fr.)*, Alphonso Taylor (6-0, 205, So.), Donniel Ward-Magee (6-1, 175, Jr.)*, Edward Wilson (5-11, 175, Fr.), Matt Wright (5-11, 190, Sr.)
Newcomers: Mark Clement (5-10, 180, Fr.), Markell Linzer (5-11, 180, Fr.), Taylor Martin (5-11, 160, Fr.)**, TaQuan Thomas (6-0, 200, Fr.)**, Calvin Watson Jr. (5-10, 180, Fr.)
* – All-Southland Conference
** – Did not see action in 2020 season
HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team features a strong returning nucleus at the safety position heading into the 2021 season.
All-Southland Conference performers Donniel Ward-Magee, who plays free safety for the Lions, and Jack Henderson, who mans the star position for SLU, are among a group that will be much more experienced in 2021. Justin Douglas, Alphonso Taylor, Justin Dumas, Matt Wright are among the Lions who return after gaining experience in the spring.
“Alphonso moving in from the cornerback position has strengthened us at the safety position,” Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said. “Donniel and Matt give us some experience, while Justin and Jack are both dynamic enough to make plays for us. Markell Linzer is a newcomer who has shown flashes in camp and could definitely be a difference maker for us. We have more depth than we did in the spring, now it’s up to those guys to perform.”
First-year Lion assistant coach Bill D’Ottavio, who works with SLU’s boundary and free safeties, has been pleased with the efforts put forth by his new pupils.
“We’ve had a good fall camp,” D’Ottavio said. “Our guys work hard every day and we’re focusing on maximizing our strengths and limiting our weaknesses. So much of playing the safety position is about angles, tackling, vision and being in the right place. As we improve each day, we’re constantly working on our overall knowledge of all the moving parts that happen on any given play and our reaction to those situations.”
Antonio Baker is in his second season with the Southeastern program and oversees the star position – a group that is highlighted by the talented duo of Douglas and Henderson.
“Justin and Jack attack offenses in different ways because of their varied skill sets,” Baker commented. “Both of those guys benefitted from the experience they gained in the spring and with that comes raised expectations. Justin and Jack have improved their execution, mental approach to the game and have become more coachable.”
Southeastern will return to the practice field on Saturday at 10:10 a.m. The No. 15/17 Lions open the 2021 season at home, hosting North Alabama at 6 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium on Sept. 4.
2021 Southeastern Football Preseason Practice Schedule
Aug. 28 – 10:10 a.m.
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2021-22 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events, effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.