Here is my way too early depth chart prediction on defense. Note I am saying screw it on the hybrid positions, but staying with a 4-2-5 scheme:
DE: JT (get ready for the breakout year), Curry/Abor (both are studs and have developed physically, they will both see the field)
DE: Sawyer (obvious starter, hopefully no more "Jack" role and just plays a straight up DE), Jackson (developed physically now and with his athleticism, I would imagine he flashes this year)
DT: Tyleik (he's gotta be ready to wreak havoc in the middle), Hamilton (solid player that I hope improves for next season because we need some snaps from him), Mickens (a little under the radar recruit but I love his game and we may need him to play a little this year)
DT: Hall Jr (if he's healthy, he is a game changer), Kanu (was raw coming in, but has a ton of talent and we need snaps from him this year), McDonald (I know, true frosh DT...but he has the college-ready size and depth is needed at DT)
LB: Eich (nothing to be said, leader of the defense), Simon (would start at most schools, amazing depth player), Carrico (not really much noise from him but assume he is on the depth chart)
LB: Chambers (same as Eich, stud and glad to have him back), Hicks (he's gotta play this year in some capacity, too much talent to keep off the field after a year of developing physically and learning the system), Powers (loved him as a recruit, may have to take limited PT this year and then seize the moment when Eich and Chambers leave)
CB: Burke (I am confident he bounces back and has a good year), Hancock (I see Hancock playing a good bit this year and improving)
CB: Davison (not trying to spell out his last name, but seems like a great corner...will battle it out with Hancock for the job most likely), J Brown (looked good in limited action, should play this year), Mathews (I think so highly of Mathews that he could become a starter as a frosh, he's that good...more likely that he rotates in, but he has the physicality and confidence of a veteran CB out there)
S: Ransom (had some unfortunate moments the last two games, but he is a talented player)
S: Proctor (good deep field safety that my only concern on is injuries)
S: Styles (too good to be held off the field, though Carter and Stokes could make a move), Carter (could very well be Stokes here or Carter could start), Stokes (could take a starting role, he is talented...position is just deep)
- Overall: Very confident on DE and the guys there. DT I like our starters, but depth is a concern until we see what we have behind Hall and Tyleik, who both have had injury and/or endurance issues. LB I am at the highest confidence level on, the starters are great and we have very good depth and potential at. DB should be very good with recruiting and transfer portal pickups (Davison and Carter), I said it in another thread but if the DB group isn't markedly better, then we have a coaching issue. I would expect a much improved defense overall this year, but we'll see when the rubber meets the road.
DE: JT (get ready for the breakout year), Curry/Abor (both are studs and have developed physically, they will both see the field)
DE: Sawyer (obvious starter, hopefully no more "Jack" role and just plays a straight up DE), Jackson (developed physically now and with his athleticism, I would imagine he flashes this year)
DT: Tyleik (he's gotta be ready to wreak havoc in the middle), Hamilton (solid player that I hope improves for next season because we need some snaps from him), Mickens (a little under the radar recruit but I love his game and we may need him to play a little this year)
DT: Hall Jr (if he's healthy, he is a game changer), Kanu (was raw coming in, but has a ton of talent and we need snaps from him this year), McDonald (I know, true frosh DT...but he has the college-ready size and depth is needed at DT)
LB: Eich (nothing to be said, leader of the defense), Simon (would start at most schools, amazing depth player), Carrico (not really much noise from him but assume he is on the depth chart)
LB: Chambers (same as Eich, stud and glad to have him back), Hicks (he's gotta play this year in some capacity, too much talent to keep off the field after a year of developing physically and learning the system), Powers (loved him as a recruit, may have to take limited PT this year and then seize the moment when Eich and Chambers leave)
CB: Burke (I am confident he bounces back and has a good year), Hancock (I see Hancock playing a good bit this year and improving)
CB: Davison (not trying to spell out his last name, but seems like a great corner...will battle it out with Hancock for the job most likely), J Brown (looked good in limited action, should play this year), Mathews (I think so highly of Mathews that he could become a starter as a frosh, he's that good...more likely that he rotates in, but he has the physicality and confidence of a veteran CB out there)
S: Ransom (had some unfortunate moments the last two games, but he is a talented player)
S: Proctor (good deep field safety that my only concern on is injuries)
S: Styles (too good to be held off the field, though Carter and Stokes could make a move), Carter (could very well be Stokes here or Carter could start), Stokes (could take a starting role, he is talented...position is just deep)
- Overall: Very confident on DE and the guys there. DT I like our starters, but depth is a concern until we see what we have behind Hall and Tyleik, who both have had injury and/or endurance issues. LB I am at the highest confidence level on, the starters are great and we have very good depth and potential at. DB should be very good with recruiting and transfer portal pickups (Davison and Carter), I said it in another thread but if the DB group isn't markedly better, then we have a coaching issue. I would expect a much improved defense overall this year, but we'll see when the rubber meets the road.
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