AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Reggie Rembert wants more than the best of both worlds. He’s going for the trifecta.
The Air Force sophomore is a starting cornerback, and as things stand early in camp, he also is the Falcons’ top punt and kickoff returner.
But he won’t just handle the football on special teams. He is one of the top prospects in the offensive backfield — at the multidimensional Z position that former AFA star Chad Hall excelled at last season.
“It’s like the best of both worlds,” Rembert said.
He means the three worlds, a triple threat for Falcons coach Troy Calhoun.
“We aren’t going to sacrifice what he does from a contribution standpoint playing corner,” Calhoun said of Rembert, who as a freshman started one game at cornerback and was a fixture on special teams. “We’re going to make sure he has that down pat before we get too elaborate with anything we’re going to do offensively with him.”
The 5-foot-7, 175-pound Rembert hasn’t played offense since he was a sophomore at Flower Mound (Texas) High School. “As a junior and senior I practiced (offense) every day, but the coaches never let me play it for some reason.”
Calhoun is giving him that chance, and so far, Rembert isn’t making mistakes. Athletically, Calhoun isn’t worried that Rembert won’t be able to handle the exhaustion and pounding by playing so much.
“If it gets complicated at any time, it’s done, it won’t happen,” Calhoun said. “He’s got to be a bright kid, a versatile kid, but yet at the same time, how many of these guys have been growing up since they were 6 years old playing football with their dad in the backyard? So with him it might be a case where you don’t make football too sophisticated.”
Said Rembert: “Coach Calhoun knows what he’s doing. If he brings you over to play offense, you know it’s in the best interest of the team. He said if I can learn the system, we will try it out, and so far I’m still here.
“It’s not too hard. We play a lot of man coverage. I know it pretty good, so now I can focus on the offensive package.”
Not surprisingly, Rembert admires former NFL cornerback-wide receiver-kick returner Deion Sanders.
“More so because he was the best at what he does, and I try to be the best I can be at whatever I do,” Rembert said. “So that’s why he’s the most influential pro athlete.”
Rembert’s competition at Z-back is senior Ty Paffett, who was No. 1 on the depth chart after spring drills but is recovering from back surgery this summer, as well as sophomore Kyle Halderman and junior Luke Hyder. Hyder also plays free safety. If Rembert ends up No. 1 or No. 2 at Z-back, he doesn’t expect to be the second coming of Hall, who led Air Force in rushing (1,478 yards) and receiving (524) last year and earned a few Heisman Trophy votes.
“He’s definitely an explosive and influential back, one of the best ever to come out of here,” Rembert said of Hall. “I’m definitely going to try to be as good, even though it’s not likely. I’ll do the best I can.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
