2021 SLU Football Preseason Position Report No. 4: Cornerbacks

Position: Cornerbacks
Position Coach: Del Lee-Collins (Second season at SLU
Returners: Zy Alexander (6-3, 185, Fr.), Blayne Delahoussaye (5-10, 160, Fr.), Ferlando Jordan (6-0, 180, Jr.)*, Tyrone Legette (5-9, 170, So.)
Newcomers: Brandon Barbee (5-11, 195, Jr.), Coryell Pierce (5-11, 175, Fr.)
* – All-Southland Conference
** – Did not see action in 2020 season

HAMMOND, La. – A pair of FCS All-Americans highlight a young, talented cornerback group for the Southeastern Louisiana University football team heading into the 2021 season.

Ferlando Jordan, a Buck Buchanan Award candidate and one of 12 two-time All-Americans in program history, is the top returning cornerback for the Lions, while the trio of Zy Alexander, Blayne Delahoussaye and Tyrone Legette are also back with a year of experience under their belts.

Transfer Brandon Barbee comes to Hammond from Morehead State, where he was a second team AFCA All-America selection in the spring after leading the team with five interceptions. Barbee is one of two newcomers at cornerback for SLU, along with freshman Coryell Pierce.

“We have a young group, but Ferlando and Brandon provide good leadership at the cornerback position,” Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said. “Getting that year of experience in the spring was huge for Zy, Blayne and Tyrone and we can really see the progress they’ve made this fall.”

Assistant coach Del Lee-Collins, who is in his second season working with the Lion cornerbacks also touted the group’s growth.

“Our young guys were able to see a lot of playing time in the spring and were able to really learn from their mistakes,” Lee-Collins commented. “They’ve all improved greatly both fundamentally and schematically and have been doing an outstanding job in camp.”

The addition of Barbee, who recorded 66 tackles, seven interceptions and 11 pass breakups in his two seasons at Morehead State, has paid dividends as well.

“Brandon has come in and had an immediate impact for us,” Lee-Collins said. “He’s picked up things very quickly and has been a playmaker this fall.”

Jordan’s talents on the field may not even be his most crucial role for the Lions. At any practice, it’s the Atlanta, Georgia native’s voice that can be heard throughout Strawberry Stadium.

“Ferlando is always calling out to his teammates what they’re job is on every play, while playing his own part as well,” Lee-Collins stated. “He’s really become like another coach on the field for us. His dedication to film study is impressive and is rubbing off on our younger guys. They learn from him by watching how fundamentally sound. Our entire room understands that we’re only strong as our weakest link, so they’re all always trying to help each other to be better.”

Jordan sees the gradual improvement in the Lion cornerbacks each day.

“We’ve been improving every day,” Jordan said. “We’re each individually picking out different things we need to work on to get better each day. We’ve really been working on improving our hip concentration and eye discipline this fall.”

Southeastern will return to the practice field on Saturday at 9 a.m. The No. 15/17 Lions open the 2021 season at home, hosting North Alabama at 6 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium.

2021 Southeastern Football Preseason Practice Schedule
Aug. 21 – 9 a.m.
Aug. 23 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 24 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 25 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 26 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 27 – 9 a.m.
Aug. 28 – 9 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.