Army Spring Depth Chart Review: Free Safety

ArmySports.com continues its review of the Black Knights post spring depth chart. Today we'll look at the free safety position. Both Ty Shrader and Kyler Martin will compete for playing time in the fall.

Free Safety
Starter: Ty Shrader #4 Sr.
Back up: Kyler Martin #19 Sr.
Ty Shrader (5-8, 184) has won the starting free safety job this spring. Shrader, a senior, saw some time as the back-up safety last fall. He recorded 10 tackles, intercepted a pass and defended another in 2011. Shrader was knocked out of last year's free safety competition with an injury during spring practice. Ty made four tackles and knocked down a pass for the Armor team in the 2012 spring game. Shrader actually lacks the prototypical size and speed for a FBS safety but has outstanding instincts that allows him to play faster than he times. He is the son of a high school coach and it shows on the field with his uncanny ability to correctly diagnose plays. Shrader has seen playing time since he was a freshman. He has a great understanding of the system and is rarely out of position.

Senior Kyler Martin (6-2, 205) was recruited as a wide receiver and has been tried at a number of positions. He seems to have found a home at safety. Martin played in 11 games and started the last five games at safety last year. He made 32 tackles, posted two sacks, had an interception and defensed two passes. Except for the Temple contest, which was an ugly game for the entire defense, he played well at safety. Martin, who is a member of the Army track team, has good speed. In the spring he posted an 8.22 time in the 60 meter high hurdles.

The players to watch this fall at this position are the incoming direct and prep talent joining the program this fall at safety. No one else on the roster stepped up this spring at free safety.