If Air Force cornerback Reggie Rembert appears a bit faster in spring practices than he did a year ago, perhaps it’s because he doesn’t have worry weighing him down.

At this time last year, Rembert was awaiting official ruling on an unspecified violation of academy standards (he eventually was given a sixth-month suspension that kept him out of the Falcons’ first two games). This year that’s all behind him, and a promising senior season awaits.

“I definitely feel a lot more free,” Rembert said after a practice this week. “That was a big thing last year – around this time too. I really couldn’t focus too much on football. And now I can focus on that and academics.”

Rembert came back strong from his suspension last season and became the lone Falcon to earn first-team all-Mountain West Conference honors.

“What’s awesome to see is how much he’s grown as a young man,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “Just his work ethic, his attitude, the whole bit. It’s always been reasonable, as all of our guys are. He’s just really developed as a young man. And that’s neat to be around. Because if they’re that way as a person, then the way they grow as a football player is only going to increase too.”

Rembert may have a slightly new role in 2010 in the nickel (five defensive backs) package. Instead of bringing an extra safety onto the field as they did last season, the Falcons in spring drills are bringing on another cornerback (P.J. Adeji-Paul) and moving Rembert to the safety spot Chris Thomas played in the nickel package in 2009.

Asked if the 5-foot-8, 185-pound Rembert is physically able to handle that position, Calhoun said, “He plays bigger than his size.”

Even if he feels lighter this spring.

Air Force cornerback Reggie Rembert Photo by

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