Perhaps the biggest change in the the 2006 Minutemen will be the loss of Shannon James and two other members of the defensive backfield. Along with James Starting corner and fifth-year senior Steve Costello. James' back-up at free safety Greg Scott also graduated. All three of those players were solid performers.
This article in the Springfield Republican by Jeff Thomas discusses the 2006 UMass secondary.
The article states that Senior Brandon Smith 27 GP 39 UT 17 AT 4 Sacks 4 INT should be the starter at free safety. Backing him will be highly rated Michael Meggett.
Costello's replacement will probably be junior Brandon Freeman 27 GP 46 UT 23 AT 1 Sack 2 INT. The third corner should be Sean Smalls, who is one of the best athletes on the team.
James Ihedigbo returns as the starting Strong Safety and will be backed up by Brian Ellis a converted linebacker. Ihedigbo is an All-A10 candidate and possibly an All-American.
Tracey Belton is back at one corner and will be backed up by senior Dominique Milton. Belton has been a fixture at CB for the Minutemen and Milton runs a 4.3 forty.
In the images Freeman is # 34 and Smith is #23.
All-American Shannon James will be a big loss, but the 2006 secondary looks like it has good talent and speed.
