Senior corner Jacob Lacey tied for fourth in the Big 12 in 2007 with five interceptions, and league coaches selected honorable mention All-Big 12. Lacey will look to anchor a Cowboy defense that gave up 287.2 passing yards per game, worst in the conference.
Brandon Weeden never stood a chance.
Weeden, a redshirt freshman, has been in a dead heat with sophomore Alex Cate to be the Cowboys’ backup quarterback.
In an Aug. 9 scrimmage, Weeden had a chance to impress OSU coaches, and though he made good plays along the way, he couldn’t avoid becoming the latest victim of Jacob Lacey.
Lacey, a senior cornerback, seemed to know where Weeden was throwing before the quarterback made the decision.
As Weeden fired a pass to his right early in the scrimmage, Lacey broke on the ball, grabbed the interception and returned it for a touchdown.
It was a big play from a player OSU needs to make many. As Lacey has grown more experienced and comfortable on the field, Cowboy coaches say his ability is starting to shine through.
“I feel good about Jacob Lacey,” coach Mike Gundy. “He’s played really well: He had a great summer, he’s been a leader in camp.
“He’s finally matured, and I feel like he can be a really good corner in this league.”
Lacey will be looked to as an anchor for a defense that desperately needs a leader.
Paired with an offense that was among the best in the nation last year, the Cowboy defense often struggled to keep up, particularly against the high-octane pass attacks of the Big 12.
OSU ranked last in the conference and 112th in the nation in pass defense.
That’s where Lacey is key. As a junior, he showed flashes of brilliance, and Weeden was by no means the first quarterback he victimized.
In a loss to Texas, Lacey intercepted Longhorn quarterback Colt McCoy three times, including one returned for a touchdown. He finished the year with five interceptions.
He also had his share of struggles over his first three seasons, but defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said he has seen solid development from Lacey in the past year.
“I think he’s gotten tremendously better in the year that I’ve been with him, watching him mature as a corner,” Beckman said. “So no question, he’s gotten much better.”
If Lacey can develop consistency to go with his raw talent, OSU coaches said they believe he can help lead the charge for a defense looking to improve.
Junior Andre Sexton played with Lacey in the secondary for two years before switching from safety to linebacker. Like Beckman, Sexton has been impressed with Lacey’s level of play.
“He’s come so far,” Sexton said. “Now, he breaks on everything, instead of in our younger days when we were more inexperienced. He’s reading the quarterback now, he knows the situation, he knows the kind of routes that they’re running and he’s breaking off of that.
“That’s what we expect going into the season because he’s the veteran now and he understands the offenses and how the wide receivers compare.”
Yet while coaches and teammates compliment him, Lacey seems content to take it all in stride.
“You gotta take that, what they’re saying, and leave it all out there on the field,” Lacey said.
“That just means that my level of play has to raise and be as high as it is in their eyes.”
Lacey said he hasn’t made any personal goals for the season in terms of statistics or making all-conference lists. He said he is more concerned with what his play can do for the team.
“I don’t focus too much on stuff like that,” he said. “I’m trying to get wins and get to a BCS bowl.”
A BCS bowl is a lofty goal, but Lacey may have what it takes to play a vital role in the drive for such a season.
Beckman said he is impressed with the way the corner carries himself on the field.
“I see big maturity from him at that position,” Beckman said. “When you play that position, you’ve got to be a mature football players, and you’ve got to be able to take maybe a bad play, wipe it from your mind and go play the next play.”
Lacey’s maturity is important on a defense with few seniors. He said he wants to be a leader for the Cowboys, and while he’s trying to work on being more of a vocal leader, Lacey mostly leads by example.
“Preparing the young guys and being consistent out there on the field,” he said. “Do my assignment and make plays when I have a play that comes my way.”
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