Utes behind the lines: Cornerbacks

SALT LAKE CITY -- As a highly ranked defense -- first in total defense in the Pac-12 -- the University of Utah is not afraid to battle it out in every game. Last week against Oregon State, the Utes defense put on a show, stopping the offensive effort of the Beavers.

Contributing with an interception and pass breakups, Utah's corners made it difficult for Beavers quarterback Sean Mannion to find open receivers. This week we take a look at the Utah corners.

Reggie Topps:

Player Profile:

Reggie Topps

• Number: 28
• Class: Junior
• Hometown: Prunedale, Calif.
• High School: N. Monterey County HS
• Height /Weight: 5-11 /190
• Birthdate: 12/19/1988
• Experience: 2VL

Mike Honeycutt

• Number: 25
• Class: Sophomore
• Hometown: Cedar Hills, Utah
• High School: Lone Peak HS
• Height /Weight: 5-10 /185
• Birthdate: 08/18/1988
• Experience: 1VL

Conroy Black

• Number: 9
• Class: Senior
• Hometown: Miramar, Fla.
• Last College: Fullerton CC
• Height /Weight: 6-0 /186
• Birthdate: 10/31/1988
• Experience: 1VL

Ryan Lacy

• Number: 26
• Class: Junior
• Hometown: Antelope, Calif.
• High School: Oakmont HS
• Height /Weight: 5-9 /187
• Birthdate: 09/05/1990
• Experience: 1VL

Junior Reggie Topps has become one of Utah's leading cornerbacks this seaosn, accumulating 22 total tackles, with one for a loss of seven yards. Topps has also deflected three passes and forced a fumble. Last season, Topps played in all 13 games, mostly with special teams, adding nine total tackles and a botched punt for a touchdown against San Jose State.

Topps said the touchdown against San Jose State has been his favorite memory in Utah. "Me scoring a touchdown last year, actually, that's pretty exciting," he said. "(A) blocked punt; that was pretty cool."

In high school, Topps played as a running back, receiver and cornerback, where he was named all-county as a senior in 2006. Topps rushed for 995 yards on 116 carries, rushing for 245 yards in a single game. He also scored 15 total touchdowns as a senior.

Prior to every game, Topps said the only real superstition he has is with his socks, "putting on my left sock over my right sock; mostly I don't mind, I just go out and ball." However, he did say Lil' Wayne was the music he listened to before the game to get him in the mood.

Topps chose the number 28 after NFL great Marshall Faulk. "He was kind of like my area middle school and high school, like 28 has been my number for ages."

Outside of football, Topps said he relaxes with the other cornerbacks to get the "corner vibe," playing video games, such as Madden and NBA 2K11.

Mike Honeycutt:

Originally signing with Utah in 2007, Mike Honeycutt joined the Utes following a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is recognized as one of the fastest players on the team with a 4.40 sprint. This season, Honneycutt has three total tackles, adding to the 11 total tackles from the 2010 season.

Last year, Honeycutt also blocked a punt against San Jose State, setting up Reggie Topps with a touchdown. "That was a good game for me and Reg," Honeycutt said. "That was probably our best moments."

At Lone Peak High School, Honeycutt was friends with Jake Murphy, helping his team to a region championship in 2004 and 2005. Honeycutt was named first-team all-region and second-team all-state as a senior and the state's best defense in 2005 and 2006.

Honeycutt said he's a very superstitious individual, saying he got the superstitions as a baseball player. "I used to play baseball. Everything I do is superstitious," he said. "Who tapes me in the morning, what I drink before practice, how I stretch, everything. How I wear everything is all superstition."

As a corner, Honeycutt said he grew up watching corners like Charles Woodson. "I like the guys that lock it up," he said. "I've been watching him for a long time."

Honeycutt credits his opportunity with the Utes to Coach Jay Hill. "I have known Coach Hill for years. He recruited me back when I was young. He has been with me ever since, from day one."

Conroy Black:

Junior college transfer Conroy Black joined the Utes in 2009, earning the role as corner the next season. Black's quick speed has enabled him to be one of the top defensive backs for Utah. This season, Black has 23 total tackles, four pass deflections, one recovered fumble and an interception returned for 34 yards. Last season, Black had 19 total tackles, one sack and an interception.

Prior to joining the Utes, Black played for Fullerton College where he had 17 solo tackles, an interception for a touchdown and three pass breakups. In high school, Black had 13 interceptions in his three years.

Black said he likes to follow the corners in the NFL, picking apart their game to learn new aspects of the game. "Basically, I like watching the best corners in the league -- man-to-man corners," he said. "I just watch the best and try to learn from the best."

Outside of football, Black said his favorite thing to do is just relax and sleep. "I sleep and relax because that is all the time that we get. I try to sleep and relax and watch some TV and that is basically it for me."

Black said every win the Utes get is one of his favorite moments with Utah. "It has just been the winning, I just love it," he said. "The games that we lose I just hate, so just winning in general has been the best for me."

Following a career in football, Black hopes to be a track or football coach.

Ryan Lacy:

Tied as the fastest player on the team, Ryan Lacy has become the lead corner for the Utes, having a major impact for Utah's tough defense. This season, Lacy has 37 total tackles, a sack, two interceptions and eight pass deflections. Last season, Lacy was on the scout team after playing limited minutes in 2009 on special teams and some time at corner. In high school, Lacy was named All-Sierra League and all-area, with two team MVP awards. As team captain, Lacy scored 15 touchdowns, rushing for 1,239 yards his senior year.

When not on the field, Lacy spends most of his time doing homework among other things. "I am a homework man. I like to do homework," Lacy said. "But we sleep on our free time and just try to get our social life back together because we're in football all day."

Lacy said his favorite moments on the field also involve winning, but it's the interceptions that he enjoys the most. "Everybody likes winning. We love winning," he said. "We love to get an interception and make the crowd get loud."

Lacy said after football, he would also pursue a career in coaching, but would also pursue a career as a health educator.

*Email: jfurlong@ksl.com*Twitter: @JFurKSL

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