Looking Towards 2014 | The Defense and Special Teams

We looked at the offense earlier this week, and now we take a look at the defense.

Defensive Line

Other than Knighton, there's a lot of production and talent at the top of the depth chart for the defensive line that will graduate next year. Bush, Hyder and Wesley are all incredibly important. I am very appreciative of the fact that guys like Alston, Richards, Phillips and Smith will all get some time along front line because they'll be the guys that will need to anchor this line in 2014. We can also move Branden Jackson over here, but I forgot to do that when I organized the spreadsheet, but he's just a sophomore, along with Evans, who hasn't really played at all, but did have his redshirt removed and is already a junior. I think a guy like that can still add some good value at defensive end and we all have to realize that not every player matures at the same rate.

Linebacker

This position is the spot where the players need to establish themselves and be a force. It's time. Obviously, Bullitt and Smith will be significant losses next year, but there's a lot of guys that are returning and overall, it's a pretty young group. Kingsbury and the staff went all-in at the high school level with four scholarships handed out to freshmen linebackers (I still marvel that Mack is only 180 -- he's got room to grow). This position group should set up really nicely moving forward, although currently there's really no linebackers currently committed. I'd be fine with using more scholarship spots with the defensive line, especially JUCO's, in the 2014 class.

Defensive Back

This is strange in that you'll have almost two complete secondaries in two consecutive years graduate almost every player. Last year you had Davis, Johnson, Neboh and Douglas all graduate (with Jones working in as well) and in 2014, you'll maybe have three starters leave in Porter, Jones and Falemi. For me, I am concerned about cornerback, but there is significant hope that some of the freshmen will be able to step in next year. That's not to say I'm writing off guys like Reynolds or Newbold. I think the addition of Crawford and Hill were smart last year because you just weren't sure what you would have. They'll both have a chance sooner than later and I think they can both be redshirted if necessary. I do really like the athleticism of Gaines and Ward, both are guys that are really making a push. Also of note is that Stewart should be with the linebackers at the Raider spot, but like Jackson with the linebackers, I just forgot to move him around when formatting and now I'm too short on time to change.

Special Teams

Other than Erxleben, I'm good here. I don't know who the next punter will be, but I think I recall that Symmank handled both kicking and punting duties at Southern Arkansas.