Blue and Gold Illustrated

most career starts (23) on the team entering this season, finishing fifth in tackles last season (53) and tying for the team lead in interceptions (four), Farley has found himself in more of a backup capacity during his fifth season. Although he was the starting nickel last year, Farley saw freshman Shaun Crawford take on that role this sea- son, until an ACL tear Aug. 19 ended the rookie's campaign. Even then, senior cornerback KeiVarae Russell was shifted to the nickel role because junior Devin Butler was seen as the next best option as a cover man at corner. Farley worked behind junior Max Redfield at free safety. Of course, head coach Brian Kelly expects that at some point this sea- son, Farley's presence will make a difference. "He's one of those guys who has a knack for making a play," Kelly said. "He's always around the ball. Just when you start to count him out, he makes a play for you. He'll get his opportunity." Just like he did as a 2012 sopho- more. After redshirting as a freshman wideout, Farley started the final 10 games at safety — even after break- ing his right thumb in the 30-13 vic- tory at Oklahoma that required two plates and four pins — during the run to the BCS National Champion- ship Game. "It's the greatest honor of my life," he said. "I never in my wild- est dreams would have thought after coming in my freshman year and go- ing through the ups and downs that this would be where I am at. I freak- ing love this place. … The greatest decision I ever made was to come here and be a part of it." Another aspect that contributed to his captaincy was the way he has taken an instant mentorship role with freshmen or other younger players. It's his way of giving back or paying forward. "There were a lot of older guys for me like Zeke [Motta], Harrison [Smith], Jamoris [Slaughter], Bennett [Jackson], that really helped me out in my development and just kept me positive when I was down," Farley reflected. "They really took out the Farley's role as a captain is more about his approach to excellence every day than just what he achieves in football. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA

• Cover