NORMAL - Since shortly after taking over as Illinois State football coach, Brock Spack has been trying to shore up the depth in his secondary.

That effort would seem to have taken a hit with the recent dismissal from the team of senior cornerback Jason Tate after an off-the-field incident.

Spack isn't fretting.

"I think we have very good players back there. They have worked very hard to the point where I think it's one of the strengths of our team," Spack said Tuesday. "We're still thin there. But the new guys we added to the roster are going to help us."

According to Spack, although Tate started eight games last season, Chris Garrett and E.J. Jones were considered the first-string cornerbacks following spring drills.

Wisconsin transfer Otis Merrill could provide immediate assistance at cornerback.

"He played in the Big Ten. He's very athletic and a good kid," Spack said. "He's experienced. Our system is similar to what he's used to. He's definitely a corner. But I think he could be a nickel back, too."

ISU returns Kelvyn Hemphill at strong safety with Casey Kociuba the frontrunner to replace Tom Nelson at free safety.

"I like our secondary a lot," said Spack. "I think we're fine there."

QB battle to resume: After sparring throughout spring drills, sophomore Drew Kiel and redshirt freshman Matt Brown will continue the quest for the starting quarterback job when fall camp opens in early August.

"I'm very excited about our quarterback position. I think the competition will be very strong," Spack said. "Their job is to make our job tough to decide who is going to be the starter. I can see both of them playing."

Incoming freshman quarterback Matt Lancaster is on campus this summer.

"I think he's going to have a huge jump because he hasn't specialized. He's been a three-sport athlete (in high school)," said the Redbird coach. "He just hasn't played football year around like a lot of quarterbacks at this level. I think he's going to be a real good complement (to Kiel and Brown)."

Pleased with progress: While realizing his team will likely be picked for the bottom third of the nine-team Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, Spack isn't as pessimistic about his first year as ISU coach.

"I think we'll have a pretty good football team," he said. "I guess we should hold back judgment until we actually play a game. But we're a lot better now than when we first got here. Things are moving forward. It's going well."

The Redbirds open their season Sept. 3 at Eastern Illinois.