“In elite programs the names change but the winning continues and I think we’re to that point,” Barnett said. “... We got some guys ready to play and show what they can do also and there was a time when nobody knew who (NFL first round draft pick cornerback Darqueze Dennard) was and just like these guys who are coming up. So we got some guys who are ready to show what they can do, and have a chip on their shoulder and ready to show that they can get the job done as well.”

Through his eight seasons with MSU Barnett has had to deal with replacing greats in the secondary such as Chris L. Rucker, Trent Robinson and Johnny Adams, with his latest project being finding replacements for Dennard and strong safety Isaiah Lewis. 

Sophomore cornerback Darian Hicks and junior strong safety RJ Williamson are the two listed as starters on the preseason depth chart, but Barnett is considering the secondary a “crowded room” with others such as sophomore safety Demetriofus Cox contending for playing time.

Both Williamson and Hicks received some form of playing time last season with each playing in all 14 games last year. However, the two combine for only two career starts with more of special teams or smaller defensive role a year ago, creating some concern for the “No Fly Zone.”

Despite either front runner replacement getting substantial playing time defensively, returning starting free safety and senior leader Kurtis Drummond has seen improvement out of the two through off-season workouts and fall camp thus far.

“It’s still early but their work ethic has been crazy,” Drummond said. “The way (Head Strength and Conditioning) Coach (Ken) Mannie pushed us all off-season they reacted really well. Just the way they’re approaching the game, they understand the responsibility that’s on their hands and they just keeping coming in and competing.”

Along with Drummond returning to ease the transition is standout junior cornerback Trae Waynes who is back after his first full season as a starter. Waynes has already been nominated to multiple award watch lists and projected by some to be a first round draft pick in the 2015 NFL Draft if he were to leave early.

Waynes is moving from the field to the boundary cornerback position, a spot held by Dennard a year ago. Though it is early in the transition to the boundary side, Defensive Coordinator Pat Narduzzi already is seeing some the first rounder Dennard in Waynes’ playing style.

“Boundary corner is a little bit more of a physical position,” Narduzzi said. “Darqueze was physical and he could cover. Right now, Trae Waynes has shown he can be a cover guy. Now, can he blitz, can he do the things Darqueze did?

Blitzing and being physical in the run game, coming in there and making a tackle. Trae hasn't had as many opportunities as Darqueze, that's something he's gotta do, and he didn't blitz at good angles so now he needs to. So that's where he has to pick his game up.”

The new look “No Fly Zone” will get it’s first test when Jacksonville State comes to Spartan Stadium on Aug. 29. The Gamecocks run a no-huddle spread offense according to Narduzzi, giving the secondary an early challenge and preview of what’s to come in the Spartans’ week two matchup on Sept. 6 against the high flying offense of No. 4 Oregon.