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Basically ... This should be a case of the whole being better than the sum of the parts. There's no depth whatsoever and the loss of LB Logan Carter to a degenerative arthritis condition and the injury to safety Ekene Agwuenu isn't going to help. The defense will employ a new attacking style that'll use several players coming from all angles. This could be a work in progress all season long.
Star of the defense: Senior FS Keone Kauo
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior LB Shaun Tagatauli
Unsung star on the rise: Junior DT P.J. Hoeper
Best pro prospect: Kauo
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Kauo, 2) DE J.J. Milan, 3) CB Marlon McLaughlin
Strength of the defense: Safety
Weakness of the defense: Overall depth, linebacker
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Craig Bailey, Jr. - Bailey will get the first shot at taking over Jorge Cordova's position. He's a great athlete moving over from linebacker and should be stronger against the run after adding ten pounds. He made 12 tackles and 2.5 sacks last year.
- Defensive tackle P.J. Hoeper, Jr. - Hoeper might be the key to the line needing to replace the all-around talents of Derek Kennard. The 288-pound junior only played in five games last year making five stops and a sack.
- Defensive tackle Chris Barry, Sr. - Barry is the most experienced tackle on the line coming into the season stronger and better than ever. He made 44 tackles last year and has turned into a better pass rusher in the new scheme. An All-WAC season isn't out of the question.
- Defensive end J.J. Milan, Jr. - Milan is the new star pass rusher now that Jorge Cordova is off to the NFL. The 252-pound junior was a terror this spring and should shine coming off a 32 tackle, 2.5 sack year.
Top Backups
- DT Charles Wilson, Soph. - He's undersized at only 259 pounds, but he's strong and is the only reserve tackle with experience.
- DE Corey Fagan, Jr. - Fagan was a 2003 first-team, all-league selection as a JUCO defensive end. He's a great athlete and should provide instant help for the pass rush.
The Skinny: The loss of Jorge Cordova and Derek Kennard might be too much to overcome. There's no depth, so the starting front four will have to be a rock for a while. It'll be interesting to see how much pressure this group can get on the quarterback in the new system.
Player to keep an eye on: J.J. Milan ... Defensive Line Rating: 4
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Nick Hawthrone, Soph. - The new leader of the linebacking corps now that Logan Carter is gone. Hawthrone is the second leading returning tackler making 77 stops last year with 5.5 tackles for loss. He also tied for the team led in interceptions with three.
- Shaun Tagatauli, Sr. - A top JUCO transfer last year, Tagatauli will be the man in the middle this season after making 32 tackles last year. He's good in pass coverage with the speed to play on the outside if needed.
- Nick Fuhr, RFr. - One of the strongest linebackers on the team, Fuhr has the potential to be a tremendous run stopper always able to shed blocks. It's an open casting call for the third linebacker slot between Fuhr, Jeremy Engstrom, Kevin Porter and Scott Garrison.
Top Backups
- Jeremy Engstrom, RFr. - He's very smart and very physical. He doesn't quite have the speed of the other candidates for the third linebacker slot, but he's not slow.
- Kevin Porter, RFr. - He isn't as big as the other linebackers in position for the outside slot, but he's quick.
- Scott Garrison, Soph. - A good tackler, Garrison should be in the mix for a starting job once he gets more work. He made four tackles last year.
The Skinny: Uh oh. This might have been a decent linebacking corps, but Logan Carter finally had to quit football after years of being sick and dealing with degenerative arthritis. There are several unproven players needed to show up and shine right away, but there are several decent prospects to choose from to make this work.
Player to keep an eye on: Nick Hawthrone ... Linebacker Rating: 3
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Paul Pratt, Soph. - It was trial by fire for Pratt as a true freshman last year starting in three games making 13 tackles and an interception. He had a few problems, but the experience was invaluable going into this season. He's not huge, but he has blazing speed.
- Strong safety Ekene Agwuenu, Sr. - At 6-2 and 207 pounds, he's the biggest defensive back on the roster and could also be used as an outside linebacker. He's a good tackler making 34 tackles with an interception last year, but his health is a major concern after banging up his shoulder.
- Free safety Keone Kauo, Sr. - A top playmaker in the secondary for two years now, Kauo is a great tackler and is good at getting into the backfield. He's the leading returning tackler making 86 stops and four tackles for loss. He needs to make more plays against the pass, and has the speed to do it.
- Cornerback Rodney Landingham, Soph. - The Oregon State transfer will take over one of the starting spots now Marlon McLaughlin has left the team. He's 6-0, 207 pounds and has the best speed in the secondary.
Top Backups
- SS Donald Gupton, Sr. - He's the biggest defensive back on the roster at 213 pounds and should combine with redshirt freshman Roderick Stallings to take over for Agwuenu if he can't return from his shoulder injury.
The Skinny: A problem over the last few years, things might not be much better right off the bat if SS Ekene Agwuenu isn't healthy. Keone Kauo is one of the surest tackling safeties in the WAC, but he can't do it alone and needs help from the corners. There's no developed depth whatsoever.
Player to keep an eye on: Rodney Landingham ... Secondary Rating: 3.5
Special Teams
- Placekicker Damon Fine, Sr. - Fine will handle all the kicking duties, and now he has to prove he can be more consistent from long range. He has the leg and is good from short range connecting on 13 of 17 field goals a year ago. He'll also get the first look at punting until JUCO transfer Justin Bergendahl joins the team.
The Skinny: Fine is O.K. and will be pushed hard by Justin Bergendahl this fall. The return game could use an overhaul after only averaging 18.8 yards per kickoff return and 6.2 yards on punt returns as a team. The kick coverage was abysmal and needs major improving.
Special Teams Rating: 4.5
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