Jacksonville’s surging defense includes a pair of vastly improved young cornerbacks.
Derek Cox is enjoying a nice third season, while Will Middleton has done a good job in the slot. With Rashean Mathis out for the year, Middleton will become a starter.
Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union has a great story Thursday of how Middleton was preparing for the MCATs when NFL teams started to notice him during his fifth year at DI-AA Furman University. Plans to go to medical school got delayed.
“I had to halt my application process because of this,” Middleton said. “I spoke with a couple of representatives from medical schools; each of them had the same consistent answer. . . . [Playing in the NFL] is a one-in-a-million chance, people are always going to be sick, our institution will always be here. They’d be more than happy to have me back.”
Middleton adjusted his focus and wound up getting drafted by the Falcons in the fifth round in 2009. He got cut there, had a cup of coffee in Tampa (one practice) before finding a home in Jacksonville. Middleton eventually plans to become an oncologist.
“I like the idea of coming into work and literally saving lives,” Middleton said.
For now, preparing to cover Greg Little and Mohamead Massaquoi on Sunday will do.