Opponent’s SPOTLIGHT Â Jamar
Fletcher
By Joshua Mason
Daily Bruin Contributor
Matchups like this one don’t come around that often: the
nation’s best cover-cornerback versus the nation’s most
explosive receiver. Thorpe Award-winner versus Biletnikoff
finalist. First-team All-American versus first-team All-American.
Best of the Big 10 versus best of the Pac-10. The list of
comparisons continues for quite possibly the most anticipated
matchup of future stars this bowl season: Wisconsin’s Jamar
Fletcher versus UCLA’s Freddie Mitchell.
Only a junior, Fletcher has already reached the status of
superstar in the Big 10 conference. Like Mitchell, Fletcher’s
exceptional athleticism sets him apart from the rest.
Both Fletcher and Mitchell excelled as high school quarterbacks,
and it was this offensive orientation that taught Fletcher to be
aware of passing schemes and quarterback reads. A better awareness
of offensive vision is an advantage to Fletcher at the corner, and
likely the reason for his ability to anticipate passes so well.
“He has a better understanding of the game, which allows
him to pick up on things that others do not,” Wisconsin
assistant coach Tim Davis said in a phone interview. “I
personally think he’s the best defensive back in the country
right now.”
In only three seasons, Fletcher has already amassed 20
interceptions, leading the nation in his freshman campaign with
seven picks. He has finished sixth and fifth in the NCAA in
interceptions the last two seasons.
The fact that Fletcher even managed to come up with six picks
this season was impressive because he was suspended for three
nonconference games due to his involvement with the team’s
shoe scandal earlier in the year. The suspension games included two
of Wisconsin’s weakest opponents, Western Michigan and
Cincinnati, the teams Fletcher would likely have had the most
success against.
 Wisconsin Sports Info Jamar Fletcher of
Wisconsin outruns wide receiver Marshaun Tucker of
Oregon. Fletcher has 20 interceptions in three seasons.
What’s even more impressive about the number of Fletcher
interceptions is the fact that most quarterbacks are wary of
throwing to Fletcher’s side.
It’s really no wonder teams don’t throw in the same
direction as the junior corner. In his three seasons as a starter,
Fletcher hasn’t allowed a touchdown pass in man-to-man
coverage. He rarely allows his opponent to even catch the ball.
Against Michigan’s David Terrell, Fletcher shut down the
junior by limiting him to one catch for 22 yards in the 33 plays
that he was covering him.
Fletcher also stifled Heisman candidate and Purdue quarterback
Drew Brees, who learned the hard way, getting picked off twice by
Fletcher in consecutive seasons. This year, Brees only passed
Fletcher’s way three times out of 43 passes.
“If he’s on his game, and playing great coverage,
then too many balls shouldn’t be going in his
direction,” UCLA receivers coach Ron Caragher said. “He
has a great knack for knowing what the offense is going to do, and
anticipates things like a great corner does.”
What’s even more lethal is what Fletcher does when balls
do go in his direction.
Though feared as an exceptional cover-corner, Fletcher also has
a knack for working his way into the end zone. In his three
collegiate seasons, he has amassed an unreal Big 10 record of 439
yards in interception returns, including a conference-record five
returns for a touchdown. He could have made it six this season, but
an 87-yard return at Indiana came just short of the goal line.
Another one of those notorious returns was a 46-yard
interception run against the Bruins two years ago in the Rose Bowl.
Then only a freshman, Fletcher’s return was the winning score
of the game.
This unique ability to turn a defense into an offense has even
prompted head coach Barry Alvarez to consider using him in the
offensive playbook at points this season.
“He has superb hands,” Alvarez said earlier in the
season. “Once he has the ball in his hands, he has a great
feel for his blockers and can get the ball up the field.”
“It’s an honor to be able to compete against a great
defensive back like that,” said Mitchell, a player not
unfamiliar with praise for his own versatility and physical
talents. “It’s kind of like playing against Deion
Sanders ““ you have to respect him.”
There is no denying the fact that the Dec. 29 matchup will be
one of monumental proportion. On paper, Fletcher and Mitchell stack
up well.
“Fletcher is always going to be matched up with the
opponent’s best receiver,” Alvarez said. “He
always answers that call.”
“Fletcher’s a heck of a football player,” UCLA
head coach Bob Toledo added. “I know I voted for him as an
All-American defensive back, and I guess the game will decide who
the best All-American is.”