NU cornering the market on top-line defensive backs

At Northwestern, first-team all-Big Ten cornerbacks come around roughly once every generation.

When Sherrick McManis earned that designation last year, he became just the second such Wildcat in the last 33 seasons.

Now that McManis has furthered his reputation by winning jobs as a backup corner and kick returner for the Houston Texans, Northwestern intends to shorten the interval between all-league corners.

Enter fifth-year senior Justan Vaughn and junior Jordan Mabin, who oddly have taken on each other's expected career arc.

When the 2008 season began, Vaughn owned the starting corner job alongside McManis.

But when Vaughn incurred a season-ending left shoulder injury in Week 2 against Duke, Mabin took over the job and never gave it back.

When the Wildcats line up for Saturday's home opener against Illinois State (11 a.m., BTN), Mabin will make his 26th consecutive start.

He has inherited McManis' usual spot on the left side of the field and has been trying to live to his example as the secondary's veteran.

McManis shepherded Mabin through ups and downs the last two seasons - as most Big Ten teams preferred to pick on the youngster rather than test McManis.

"It's an honor," Mabin said. "Now the game has slowed down, so I can help some of the younger guys out. It's awesome."

While that might pay benefits down the road for younger NU corners, what matters now is Mabin's increased belief in self.

"Playing with that certain confidence gives you that extra oomph to break up a pass, make a play," Mabin said. "Last year, I'd read a play but I wouldn't really trust myself. I'd make the tackle, but I'd be late. This year, I'm trusting myself coming out of breaks and just going for it."

As for Vaughn, who registered his second career interception and made 6 tackles during Saturday's opening-night win at Vanderbilt, there are no issues with self-confidence or shyness.

On Tuesday, the congenial Houston native walked off the field jokingly asking where his post-practice interviews were.

On Wednesday, he was swarmed as if he was anointed Dan Persa for a day.

"I love being interviewed," Vaughn said. "I've always liked the spotlight; not that I've been a dude to ever try to jump into the spotlight and steal the spotlight from anybody.

"But I always want people to hear what I have to say."

He enjoyed every minute of his opportunity, discussing everything from his hobbies (a big movie buff) to his tattoos to his love for his teammates - because they kept him involved the last two years even when he couldn't play due to his shoulder surgery and his dislocated elbow and his hamstring/quad problems.

He even thanked Mabin for taking his job two years ago because he, along with McManis, gave him a target for which to shoot.

"One thing I've really been working on is my aggression and my tenacity," Vaughn said. "I feel that nobody out there should want it more than I want it because I've been through all the stuff that I've been through."

Assistant head coach Jerry Brown, who has handled NU's secondary since 1993, sees Vaughn as finally living up to his potential.

"Because he's had all those injuries, his upper body hasn't had the opportunity to be in the weight room like we wanted him to be," Brown said. "But over this past year, he's been in the weight room and I can see a significant difference in his body.

"He's plenty fast. He's got good feet, he's got good hips. He's got the ability to be a pretty doggone good corner. The only thing he doesn't have is a whole lot of playing experiences."