Air Force's lack of depth at cornerback opens door for Byrd

Air Force sophomore Brenton Byrd thought coaches were kidding when, after six spring practices, they told him they wanted to try him at cornerback.

I was like, ‘Yeah, right, they're just playing around,'" said Byrd, a Harrison graduate.

After all, Byrd never had played the position, even in high school. He entered spring drills listed as the backup tailback behind Savier Stephens, who is injured.

But Air Force has little depth or experience at cornerback. Both starters and a reserve from the 2007 squad will graduate. Plus, Kevin Rivers, listed as a starter at the beginning of spring practice, has not participated in drills - first because of a hamstring injury and now because of Lasik surgery. That leaves freshman Reggie Rembert as the only cornerback with game experience.

So Byrd is getting a chance. Cornerbacks coach Charlton Warren said Byrd has the size Air Force likes in a corner (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) and the athleticism and speed to play the position. Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said he likes Byrd's instincts and the fact Byrd is physical.

But Wednesday's practice was just Byrd's fourth at the position, and Byrd said he's still "thinking a little too much."

"It's still all new for him," Calhoun said. "Fortunately we aren't real elaborate in our coverages, so I think he'll have a chance to pick it up fairly quickly."

Byrd is expected to stay at corner through spring drills. Coaches will decide if he'll stay there or move back to tailback.

"Wherever the kid can get on the field and help the football team the most is where he'll end up," Warren said.

Garland moves inside

Ben Garland began spring listed as the Falcons' starting left end, but he has moved inside to nose guard because of an injury to starter Jared Marvin.

Marvin, who tore both the ACL and MCL in his right knee, had surgery March 17. Calhoun said Marvin will need five to seven months of rehabilitation but that he expects the 5-11, 265-pounder will contribute.

"You talk about heart, and you talk about toughness, that kid will be back," Calhoun said.

Garland, a 6-5, 270-pound sophomore from Grand Junction, started at end most of last season but played inside previously.