One area where the Prairie View A&M defensive coaching staff invested a lot time in this summer is the secondary.  After throwing several young players into the fire last season, the staff hopes their early baptism will pay off as the 2012 season kicks off next weekend versus TSU.

The Panthers entered the 2011 season with a returning All-American candidate in Moses Ellis.  However, Ellis was the lone returning starter in the secondary and the Panthers struggled as they dropped from second in 2010 to seventh in the pass defense category.  Forcing turnovers was a problem also as PV only picked off six passes compared to 16 in 2010.  With Ellis graduated, the task now falls on the shoulders of several players who saw action last season in Ricky Simpson, Terrence Mitchell and Chris King.

“I think we're getting close to where we need to be as we have a week left before we can say they're game-ready,” said cornerbacks coach Raasaan Haralson.  “I think we've improved with a couple starters returning in the secondary.  The thing we have to work on is consistency day-in and day-out as we'll have a good day but then take a step back at the next practice.”

Even though the unit is still somewhat of a work in progress, Haralson is optimistic about the group this season.

“I think we have depth now so we're improved there,” he said.  “We have a lot of talent but we have to improve on the consistency of our young guys.”

At safety, both starters return as redshirt junior Adrian Grant and senior Brian Medlock should improve on last season's performance.  Both were first-time starters in 2011 with Medlock recording 59 tackles and four pass break-ups. 

“We did a lot of work in a short period of time as we have a lot of veterans,” said safeties coach Bubba McDowell.  “I think we'll be ok in the long run but we have to stay healthy from this point as we prepare for TSU.”

The Panthers will take team pictures on Friday and wrap up camp with a walk-through that afternoon.