|
|
Basically ... The defense was decent last year, and could be great if some big holes get patched. There needs to be production from the tackles and depth has to emerge in the secondary along with a number two corner. There should be plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the talented ends and outside linebackers.
Star of the defense: Senior DE Trent Cole
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior DT Lonnie Simmons
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore FS Jajuan Hall
Best pro prospect: Cole
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Cole, 2) DE Andre Frazier, 3) LB Jamar Enzor
Strength of the defense: Defensive ends, linebackers
Weakness of the defense: A second cornerback across from Daven Holly, tackles
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Trent Cole, Sr. - The first-team All-Conference USA performer returns for another year as one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the league. He has ten sacks and 26 tackles
for loss over the last two seasons and is also strong against the run making 175 stops. He bulked up to around 250 pounds meaning he'll be even stronger at the point of attack.
- Defensive tackle Lonnie Simmons, Sr. - The former Michigan State transfer is the biggest defensive lineman on the team, and now he has to play like it after not doing much of anything as a
reserve last year.
- Defensive tackle Mike Wright, Sr. - He had a knee injury a few years ago and couldn't stay healthy last season. He bulked up to 291 pounds and has good quickness to go along with his
talent, but it'll all be about being able to get on the field.
- Defensive end Andre Frazier, Sr. - Frazier has gotten much bigger and much scarier putting on almost 35 pounds of muscle over the last year to become even more of a factor against the run.
His real skill is as a pass rusher leading the team with seven sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. He's not quite the defensive end that Trent Cole is, but he's not far off.
Top Backups
- DE Adam Roberts, Jr. - A tremendous reserve player to have with experience and talent, Roberts filled in a little bit for Trent Cole and finished with 40 tackles. - DT Jon Newton, RFr.
- Considering Mike Wright's history of injury, the 270-pound Newton needs to be ready to step in on the nose. The only problem is that he's coming off a knee injury of his own.
The Skinny: Andre Frazier and Trent Cole comprise one of the best defensive end tandems in the country with more bulk to add to their speed. The tackles are a major concern relying on inexperience and recovering injured players to make an impact. If Mike Wright can stay healthy for a full season and Lonnie Simmons or Jamie Wimmer can become a factor, the Rating goes up. Player to keep an eye on: Lonnie Simmons ... Defensive Line Rating: 6
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Jason Russell, Sr. - A fast outside linebacker who's also good in pass coverage, Russell is a nice complement to Jamar Enzor and Tyjuan Hagler able to use his speed to take some of the
pressure off the other two. While he isn't a star run stuffer, he's a good enough pass rusher to force offenses to pay attention to him - Jamar Enzor, Sr. - The experienced man in the middle,
Enzor has made 220 tackles over the last two years and is always able to get into the backfield. He's not big, but he's not a pushover against the run hard-nosed enough to shed blockers to get
to the running back. He made 18 tackles against both Memphis and Rhode Island. - Tyjuan Hagler, Sr. - Hagler didn't make as many plays in the backfield as he did when he registered 18
tackles for loss in 2002, but he became a stronger run defender. He's still a dependable pass rusher and one of the bigger linebackers on the team, and his experience and all-around talent will
get him at least 80 tackles.
Top Backups
- Jamey Murphy, Sr. - A big, dependable reserve, the 234-pound Murphy has 129 career stops. While not technically a starter, he might as well be with the amount of time he gets. He'll back up
Tyjuan Hagler on the outside. - Jermain Wilson, Sr. - Wilson is only 6-0 and 219 pounds, but he plays far stronger than his size. He made 24 tackles as a reserve in the middle last year, and
will be a more-than-adequate starter if something happens to Jamar Enzor. - Dominic Ross, Soph. - A safety playing linebacker, the 177-pound Ross has the best all-around athleticism of the
linebackers. He's not big enough to be an every down player, but he could become a situational menace as a blitzer from the outside.
The Skinny: There are five very good, very reliable players to make this a strong group and one of the strengths of the team. .With the emergence of the great defensive ends, there isn't as much need to use the outside linebackers as pass rushers making them even stronger against the run. This will be one of Conference USA's most productive linebacking corps. Player to keep an eye on: Tyjuan Hagler ... Linebacker Rating: 8
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Tedric Harwell, Sr. - Part running back, part defensive back, the speedy Harwell is still trying to find a home. He has good size and excellent quickness, but he'll have to grow
into an immediate star with teams looking to stay away from Daven Holly. - Free safety JaJuan Hall, Soph. - Mostly a special teams player last year, he showed flashes of why he's expected
to be a top player as a backup free safety picking off a pass against Miami. He'll be pushed by Antoine Horton for the starting job. - Strong safety Doug Monaghan, Sr. - Back for what seems
like his 14th year in the Bearcat secondary, Monaghan is one of the most productive returning safeties in college football making 259 career tackles and five interceptions. He isn't all that
fast and is more suited to linebacker than safety, but he knows the job and will be the leader of the secondary. - Cornerback Daven Holly, Sr. - The team's fastest player, Holly and his
sub-4.4 speed makes up for any mistakes by simply catching up to the ball or receiver. He led the team in interceptions last year with six, and he's also one of the team's top players when it
comes to making the clutch, really big play.
Top Backups
- CB Brian Dodd, Soph. - Dodd was a special teamer last year and will push hard for time at corner behind Tedric Harwell. He's not all that big, but he's a good athlete. - CB John Bowie, Soph.
- Bowie has good size and will be in the mix for playing time at corner. He made three tackles last year primarily on special teams. - FS Antoine Horton, Sr. - Horton will get every shot
to win the strong safety job, but he's been a career special teamer and backup so far.
The Skinny: The pass defense wasn't all that bad last year and a few key players return led by safety Doug Monaghan and corner Daven Holly. The loss of CB Zach Norton will hurt leading to an open casting call for one of the cornerback spots. There's almost no experience among the reserves. Player to keep an eye on: Jajuan Hall ... Secondary Rating: 5.5
Special Teams
- Placekicker/Punter Chet Ervin, Jr. - He was supposed to be just a placekicker, but he was call on to handle all the kicking duties averaging 38.9 yards per punt, putting 18 inside the 20, and hitting 10 of 17 field goals. He has a decent leg, but not a consistent one. - Placekicker Chris Manfredini, Soph. - A more accurate option than Ervin, Manfredini was automatic from short range connecting on 10 of 11 field goals.
The Skinny: The kicking game will be decent, but unspectacular. There needs to be far more pop to the kickoff returns after averaging only 19 yards per return. Carl Jones, who averaged 15 yards per punt return on nine tries, will replace Thaddeus Lewis. Special Teams Rating: 5.5
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The Trusted Name in Gaming | |||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |