BRockCane98
Freshman
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2026
- Messages
- 171
Other fans are saying our defense will take a major step back losing Bain and Mesidor. I think our d-line will be even better next year as a whole. There’s really no weak points. As long as we stay healthy it’s loaded with studs. Justin Scott and I think Lowe will turn heads this year.
They have no clue. They think our entire D was Bain and Mesidor.
DT
How they missed Moten looking like a 1st round DT I have no idea. If Scott just sheds 15 lbs or so, tightens up, he'll become a consistently dominant player as well. So the starters are;
-Moten
-Scott
Depth
-Davis
-Carter
-Blount
DE/Edge
Damon Wilson should be one of if not the best edge rusher in CFB next season and then you have Lightfoot as at least an elite situational pass rusher, Blount will likely play some strong side DE on run downs, Hayden Lowe, Booker Pickett, Scroggins, and Asharri Charles as a situational pass rusher as well.
Starters
-Wilson
-Lightfoot? Lowe? Blount on run downs? I'm predicting Lowe to get the most reps.
Depth
-Lightfoot
-Pickett
-Blount
-Scroggins
-Charles
LB'er
-Toure should be even better next season and he was good this past year.
-Kellen Wiley has the physical skills to be a truly elite LB'er.
-Kamal Bonner knows Heatherman's system very well and is supposedly. Played pretty well as a RS Frosh at Rutgers in 2024.
-Chase Smith is a veteran who knows how to play. Provides a floor to our LB'er play.
Nickelback
-Omar Thornton- Was fantastic for BC last year. Think he'll do a lot of the same things Keionte did last season.
Secondary......will be one of the best in CFB
Safeties
-Poyser plays more of the SS role this year
-Fitzgerald, elite ball skills (6 INT's as a frosh), probably takes FS
-Dunnigan might get some PT with Fitzgerald sliding down to play dimeback? At minimum I think he's quality depth.
-Dylan Day- Quality depth. Might surprise in camp and push for a more significant role
Boundary CB's
-Xavier Lucas
-OJ Frederique
-Damari Brown- Please stay healthy
-Ethan O'Connor
-Ja'Boree Antoine
That's 5 deep with guys who would start for most teams. Lucas and Frederique would start for virtually everyone.
And oh yeah it's the DC's second season with the bulk of his players returning meaning we should see fewer mental mistakes. The only guys expected to play significant roles on the 2026 D who weren't part of the Canes last season are Damon Wilson, edge rusher is the easiest position to bring into a defense, Omar Thornton, and the depth DT's Davis and Carter. I'd put that D up against any in the country.