SDE - Gregory Rousseau/ Jaelan Phillips/ Cameron Williams/ Elijah Roberts
DT - John Ford/ Jordan Miller/ Jalar Holley/ Jason Blissett
DT - Nesta Silvera/ Jared Harrison-Hunte/ Elijah Roberts
WDE - Quincy Roche/ Jahfari Harvey/ Jason Blissett/ Quentin Williams/ Chantz Williams
Redshirt(s): Chantz Williams, Quentin Williams, Elijah Roberts (all PROBABLE, maybe one of them plays their way out of a redshirt this season but ideally they'll all be shirted if the depth ahead of them stays healthy).
Also, Rousseau & Phillips can/will both lineup opposite sides of each other frequently in packages this year, Phillips is essentially a starter, I just put him at SDE behind Rousseau because that's what his position is, but in reality he'll play on both the Weak & Strong side & rush from both ends. You can also move Rousseau around, he's both a Weak-side & Strong-side rusher & actually does significant damage lining up in the interior at 3-tech on 3rd downs. He's an all-gap rusher, doesn't matter which gap, A, B or C, Rousseau just gets to the QB.
And yes I know Blissett is moving to DE, but he will also play inside at times too, just based on depth & his skill set. The DE rotation is pretty heavy with 4-5 guys, makes no sense to log jam versatile DL's like Blissett & Roberts at DE when they can be interior rushers too.
WLB - Sam Brooks/ Tirek Austin-Cave/ Corey Flagg Jr
MLB - Zach McCloud/ BJ Jennings
SLB - Avery Huff/ Patrick Joyner
Redshirt(s): Corey Flagg Jr maybe.
Not counting Steed until he's back fully healthy, wish him the best though.
Striker - Gilbert Frierson/ Keontra Smith/ Keyshawn Washington (possibly)
Redshirt: Keyshawn Washington
My hope at CB:
Field CB - Al Blades Jr/ Te'Cory Couch
Nickel CB - Te'Cory Couch/ Marcus Clarke
Boundary CB - Christian Williams/DJ Ivey/ Isaiah Dunson
What will probably be the CB rotation:
Field CB - Al Blades Jr/ Christian Williams
Nickel CB - Te'Cory Couch/ Marcus Clarke
Boundary CB - DJ Ivey/ Isaiah Dunson
Redshirt: Nobody, can't afford to.
Now I know Ivey is probably going to be the starter at Boundary just based on how our staff does these types of things, but I really really hope they wise up & give Christian Williams & Te'Cory Couch fair opportunities to play. No reason to cut off our nose to spite our face if we have talented young Corners that can play & not play them.
FS - Gurvan Hall/ Avantae Williams/ Jalen Harell
SS - Bubba Bolden/ Amari Carter/ Keyshawn Washington/ Brian Balom
Redshirt: Keyshawn Washington & Brian Balom. Also hopefully Harrell isn't an Academic redshirt, NOT SAYING HE WILL, just saying I hope he doesn't have to be.
I don't think Balom or Washington are FS's, but we only have 3 upperclassmen & all the backups are TF's, so idk where Banda will put these guys, most of them are Strong Safeties IMO.
And before the debate even begins, no I don't think Bolden is a FS & no I don't think Avantae can play CB. Yes he has raw speed traits but go watch him at the opening in 1v1 drills & you'll see it for yourself, he's a Safety all day.
Overall, I think our Defense will be athletically better on all 3 levels, the question becomes will they play smart sound disciplined football in order to make up for the inexperience we'll have at LB & CB.
I think if we can solve the Boundary CB issue & keep our LB group healthy we'll have a **** good Defense, the DLine is the strength of that group, incredibly deep & versatile. If we can get back to creating immense pressure upfront it will make everybody else's job easier.
