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Basically ... After a horrible season allowing 32.8 points per game and a college football worst 510.5 yards per game, things are changing up as new defensive coordinator Tim Rose has installed a 3-4 to get more overall production up front. The problem is that Rose comes from Eastern Michigan, which wasn't exactly a brick wall. There needs to be more of a pass rush and the secondary has to be far tighter, but eight starters return to provide the experience needed to make things better.
Star of the defense: Senior LB Byron Santiago
Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior CB Jerron Wishom
Unsung star on the rise: Senior LB T.J. Jackson
Best pro prospect: Senior NT Chris Van Hoy
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Santiago, 2) CB Corey Brzail, 3) NT Chris Van Hoy
Strength of the defense: Linebacker
Weakness of the defense: Pass rush
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Jermelle Cage, Sr. - The 290 pound Cage was the team's sack leader last year making four to go along with 53 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. He's really a tackle being used on the end.
- Defensive tackle Moqut Ruffins, Jr. - Ruffins is an end moving inside to tackle after this spring. The 6-5, 271-pound junior will use his quickness on the inside after making 12 tackles.
- Nose tackle Chris Van Hoy, Sr. - The 308-pound Van Hoy has been a rock in the middle over the last few years with 25 career starts. He made 40 tackles last year and should be the anchor of the young line moving to the nose.
Top Backups
- DE Travon Brown, Sr. - Brown is part end, part tackle making 31 tackles last year. He made two sacks, but he has to get in the backfield on a more consistent basis.
- DT Josh Muse, Fr. - The true freshman came to camp early this spring to get ready for this year. He's good enough to see time in the tackle rotation and should grow into one of the team's top linemen.
- DT Ladarius Love, Jr. - The 330-pound Love is a huge wall in the middle making 18 tackles and three tackles for loss last year. He hasn't been able to stay healthy moving him down the depth chart.
- DT Quarvay Winbush, Jr. - Winbush was a quality backup last year making ten tackles. He'll push for time behind Moqut Ruffins.
The Skinny: The line has to find a way to get into the backfield more and must be stronger against the run. The three in the new 3-4 scheme are big and experienced asked to hold the line while the linebackers clean everything else up.
Player to keep an eye on: Josh Muse ... Defensive Line Rating: 4.5
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Jeremy Hamilton, Jr. - Hamilton returns to the weakside after making 46 tackles and four tackles for loss in only six games. He has had injury issues hurting his hamstring a few years ago and getting knocked out last year. He is only 210 pounds, but he can move.
- John Nash, Sr. - Nash is one of the biggest most talented linebackers on the team, but he has to get through a season healthy. He made 41 tackles in the middle last year and will move to the new Buck position used as part linebacker, part defensive end.
- T.J. Jackson, Sr. - The former JUCO transfer was one of the team's top linebackers making 53 tackles and picking off two passes. He'll start in the middle after seeing time in various spots last year.
- Byron Santiago, Sr. - Santiago came out of nowhere to have an All-WAC season leading the Bulldogs with 107 tackles even though he only started in five games. He'll be the man on the strongside and the leader of the linebacking corps.
Top Backups
- Wendell Crowe, Jr. - Crowe started every game at defensive end making 49 tackles, two sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. With the movement to a 3-4 alignment, he'll move to linebacker playing on the strongside behind Byron Santiago.
- Gregory Hollins, Soph. - A talented backup, the 228-pound Hollins provides more size than Jeremy Hamilton on the weakside coming off a nine tackle season.
- Brannon Jackson, RFr. - One of the team's most athletic and talented linebackers, the 220-pound Jackson was a big-time recruit who will see plenty of action behind T.J. Jackson in the middle.
The Skinny: The linebackers have to be far more aggressive in the new scheme and has to be stronger against the run. It will be up to the outside players to get to the quarterback, but there isn't elite speed in this group to expect a ton of disruption. This will be one of the team's most improved areas if everyone stays healthy.
Player to keep an eye on: T.J. Jackson ... Linebacker Rating: 5
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Jerron Wishom, Sr. - Wishom will be the new starter at the field corner after seeing playing time as a reserve making 28 tackles and two interceptions. He has enough starting experience to take over without missing a beat.
- Free safety Lee Johnson, Sr. - Johnson started in nine games last year after being a key reserve in 2002 making 61 tackles and breaking up five passes. He's a huge hitter able to force fumbles and be an intimidating presence to receivers coming across the middle.
- Strong safety Michael Johnson, Sr. - While not huge, the 5-10, 200-pound Johnson is a big hitter and sure tackler making 67 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. He broke up eight passes and should be a better pass defender using all of his experience.
- Cornerback Corey Brazil, Sr. - As the top playmaker in the secondary it will be up to the 5-8 Brazil to be the leader with 23 starts under his belt. He's extremely quick also being used as a punt returner along with making 60 tackles, two interceptions and 15 broken up passes.
Top Backups
- SS Dez Abrams, Soph. - Abrams is one of the future stars of the secondary being groomed behind Michael Johnson. He made ten tackles and will be a big hitter in the rotation.
- FS Alton Bryant, Jr. - The 6-1, 200 pound Bryant will try and be a decent backup safety after spending most of his time at receiver. He has speed, but he needs the time to become a consistent defender playing behind Lee Johnson.
- CB Derrick Farrow, Jr. - The former walk-on will backup Jerron Wishom at the field corner. He's a small, quick defender who can tackle with 12 stops.
The Skinny: The pass defense went from bad to worse giving up 265 yards per game in 2002 and 293 in 2003. Part of the problem was a lack of pass rush giving quarterbacks ten days to throw, but there's still little excuse for a secondary as experienced as last year's to be that bad. Now there's really no excuse with three starters returning with good speed and athleticism. The depth needs time to mature, but it isn't that bad.
Player to keep an eye on: Dez Abrams ... Secondary Rating: 4
Special Teams
- Placekicker Zach Myatt, RFr. - Myatt will have to replace all-star Josh Scobee, and he could be good enough to do it. He was a Parade All-American hitting 35 of 44 field goals in high school as one of the nation's best kicking prospects.
- Punter David Black, Fr. - Black will try and take over for Dustin Upton and his 40.7 yard-per-kick average. He'll have a battle on his hands this fall when Danny Horwedel joins this fall in what should be open competition for the job.
The Skinny: The kicking game will rely on two very green players to take over for some of the most reliable kickers in the WAC. Corey Brazil is one of the nation's best punt returners averaging 13.1 yards per return and Eric Newman comes back to return kickoffs after averaging 23.6 yards. The coverage units have to be far tighter.
Special Teams Rating: 4.5
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