Yesterday, we went over each unit of the USF Bulls‘ offense and how they looked heading into Week 1 of the 2014 season. In the today’s installment, we’ll take a look at what was actually a bright spot for the 2013 Bulls: the defense.
By the end of last season, this was a strong group on paper, finishing 21st in the nation in average yards allowed per game at 350.8. They also held six of their opponents to 23 points or fewer, limiting Michigan State to just 21 and nearly upsetting No. 10-ranked UCF.
The Defensive Line
USF’s defense was a strength last year and defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan will get back his two most established tackles: junior Todd Chandler and sophomore Derrick Galloway. Those two will anchor the line and provide help to some of the talented, if new-to-the-scene defensive ends like JuCo Demetrius Hill and freshmen recruits Rohan Blackwood, Eric Mayes and Kevin Bronson.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsZd4dxiLII]Rising senior Elkino Watson will be moved from tackle to end to help fill in some of the gaps on the line and will likely have junior Eric Lee playing at the opposite end spot. Bresnahan has to replace both his starting defensive ends and the backups, so finding not only starters but someone able to fill the two-deep will be a challenge.
The Linebackers
Linebacker looks to be a strong point for the Bulls.
Even with a switch to a more 3-4 base, the inside linebackers are going to be talented if inexperienced. Junior Tashon Whitehurst will probably have one of those roles despite having just six tackles to his name last year. He filled in on special teams and as a backup. He’s fast and athletic, but it remains to be seen if he can fit in on the new defense.
Next to him will be freshman Auggie Sanchez, owner of a cool, old-timey sounding name. He’s been talked up significantly by the staff despite not seeing any action at the collegiate level. He’s got fantastic football sense, but it will likely be a year of growing pains for the freshman.
At outside, Reshard Cliett returns for his senior season following shoulder surgery. He knows how to pre-read, tackles well and can even come off the edge from time to time. He finished second on the team with 56 tackles last year.
On the other side, it looks like it’s down to Nigel Harris or Rahmon Swain. Harris, a sophomore, started last year finishing with 35 tackles. Swain, a senior, is a quality asset in coverage. Both will likely see big chunks of time this year depending on the situation.
The Secondary
The secondary was nothing spectacular in 2013, but it held its own with 11 interceptions and a 61 percent third down stop rate. This year, it will be like the rest of the defense: talented, but young.
A whopping six freshman DBs are vying for playing time including Devin Abraham, son of former Pro Bowl corner Donnie Abraham. Junior Tyler Robb will likely be your nickel starter with Johnny Ward (sophomore) and Torrel Saffold (senior) lining up on the outside and look ready to be a focal point in the secondary. Both had solid seasons last year and will figure into the success or failure of the defense in a big way.
At safety, junior Jamie Byrd and sophomore Nate Godwin are the projected starters. Byrd is a local JUCO transfer from Pasco High School and looks to be a traditional hard-nosed, heavy hitter. Godwin, meanwhile, had several huge plays last year (including the interception against UCF that appeared to seal the upset) and looks like he’s going to be the playmaker of the secondary.
Like the offense, this is a young unit with a bunch of talent across the board. USF will need to overcome youthful inexperience, but the potential is there.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
