As Idaho State’s fall camp rolls into action, the Journal is breaking down the Bengals’ 10 major position groups: quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, wide receivers, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks, safeties, and special teams to prepare you for the season.

It continues with the safeties.

KEY PLAYERS LOST

Daniel Roundtree played in Idaho State’s nickel defense last season and was effective with 35 tackles and 1 1/2 tackles for loss. Other than Roundtree, Idaho State returns all of its top guys at safety.

WHO’S BACK

Senior safeties Taison Manu, Cody Sorensen and Kamino Ward return, and Idaho State’s seven other safeties are: junior Jeremy Bittle, sophomores Dan Guthmiller and Nikko Hayes and freshmen Jayson Miller, Kyle LeBlanc, Nico Aguirre and Kirk McKenzie.

OUTLOOK

If there’s a better safety combination than Manu and Sorensen in the Big Sky Conference, we don’t know about it.

A graduate of Highland School High School and a strong safety, Manu was third on ISU with 117 tackles last season. On the way to third-team all-Big Sky status, he also had eight tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception.

Sorensen, a free safety, was right behind his running mate, finishing his junior season with 95 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions.

In Ward’s first season in Pocatello, the converted cornerback had five tackles and an interception. He’ll have a much larger role this season in Idaho State’s nickel defense and is prepared for the moment.

“This year I would like to get better at recognizing the plays,” Ward said. “It’s something I’ve always struggled with. ... Last year was a little tough for me to recognize things. (ISU defensive coordinator Spencer) Toone always used to harp on me, ‘learn the plays, learn the formations.’”

Ward said he dedicated part of his summer to the film room. He studied ISU’s playbook and how their defensive calls vary based on offensive formations and shifts. It’s a vitally important skill for a safety. The Bengals lean on them to act as the quarterback of the defense.

QUOTABLE

“I just want to have a great senior season as a team. It’s all about us, we, us. It’s awesome to be coming off the 8-4 season. I just want to give these fans another winning season. They’ve been supporting for so many years and we’ve been bad. I just want to win. That’s all I care about.” — Cody Sorensen

“They’ve been here a long time and they just know the game. Obviously, when I got here, I thought I knew the game. They taught me a lot. They’ve made me a better player. I think they’re really humble for that.” — Kamino Ward on how Sorensen and Manu have helped him learn the safety position at Idaho State.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Can Sorensen and Manu stay healthy? Each is critical to Idaho State. They’ve played in a combined 65 games, know exactly what Kramer and the Bengals coaching staff want to accomplish and they’re proven performers.

Sorensen missed the 2012 season with a knee injury but has remained healthy since. Manu never had a serious injury until breaking a bone in his foot during the spring. The same spot acted up in practice Thursday and Manu hasn’t played since. Kramer said he hopes to have him back in a week, but who knows whether the injury will stick around and persist to be a problem.

Ward continues to improve with time and looks like the heir apparent to replace Sorensen or Manu if they are hurt.

Beyond those seniors, Bittle, a junior college transfer from Diablo Valley College, has the most collegiate experience. Miller is an interesting prospect as a 6-foot-1 freshman with heaps of raw talent. And Hayes, a running back in his first two seasons at ISU, is one of the Bengals’ top athletes.

Kramer said they moved Hayes to safety because he’s too good to keep on the sideline.

“He’s going to be featured very prominently in all of our kick teams and with three years of eligibility remaining, he can be the heir apparent at safety in a couple scenarios with three senior safeties,” Kramer said. “There are opportunities knocking.”