Fall Depth Chart Analysis (Defense)

Continuing on, we take a look at the defense, now that the depth chart has been officially released.

Defensive Ends
Starters: Trevor Guyton (SR) and Ernest Owusu (RS SR)
Backups: Deandre Coleman (RS SO) and Gabe King (RS FR) and/or Mustafa Jalil (FR)
Redshirt: Todd Barr, Puka Lopa

The unit with the most depth on the team in terms of talent will see a whole lot of rotation this year, so it's hard to look too deeply into the two deep, as we can expect about 6 players to get a lot of reps this season at the defensive end spot.

Guyton and Owusu are solid season veterans, and though neither have displayed the ability of Cameron Jordan or Tyson Alualu just yet, one might hope that both show enough this season to give NFL scouts a nice look.

Talented underclassmen Coleman and King are the first off the bench, and there may be no dropoff. In fact, based on potential alone, opposing offensive lines might have more on their plate when facing off the mammoths that are Coleman and King.

I highly expected Mustafa "Moose" Jalil to redshirt this season, but he showed up to camp in excellent shape and has been very strong in practice. The fact that the point was made to show him as a backup right up there with King is indicative of something.

I am very high on true freshman Brennan Scarlett, and think he will sneak up on people this year. He has the size and athleticism to play the predator, hybrid DE/OLB position that the coaching staff has sought after with previous recruits Devon Kennard and Chris Martin. When you have a player who can put his hand down as an end and then drop back as a backer the next down, then you give opposing offenses huge issues. I think Scarlett will excel in this role.


Nose Tackle
Starter: Kendrick Payne (RS JR)
Backup: Aaron Tipoti (RS JR)

Where's touted freshman Villami "Tiny" Moala you ask? It's hard to miss him. He's the 350 pound nose tackle eating space. He's not officially on the two deep, but the guy will see plenty of playing time this year. Especially when you consider the injuries sustained by nose tackles over the course of the season (ie. Derrick Hill, Kendrick Payne, Aaron Tipoti last year), then you can bank on Moala logging in significant minutes this year.

Outside Linebackers
Strongside Starter: Dave Wilkerson (RS FR)
Weakside Starter: Dan Camporeale (RS SO)
Strongside Backup: Chris McCain (FR)
Weakside Backup: Ryan Davis (RS SR)
Redshirts: Jason Gibson

This is the unit with the most surprises based on what some had expected. The coaches know better though. Wilkerson had been locked in at the strongside OLB position for quite some time, the question was who would start opposite of him. Most had pegged either McCain or Whiteside in that role, even after Camporeale took first team reps to start the spring. The much less recruited Camporeale was the most veteran backer of the bunch, and has played well enough through camp to win the starting job.

It makes sense then that Chris "Gadget" McCain switches over to the other side to back up Wilkerson, and the coaches are too high on his playmaking ability to keep him off the field for long. Senior Ryan Davis will back up Camporeale, and by all accounts, he has begun to really put it together.

Cecil Whiteside is conspicuously absent, as he was reportedly a beast in spring ball, but has been a bit more quiet in fall camp. He will backup Camporeale along with Davis.

Middle Linebackers
Starters: Mychal Kendricks (SR) and DJ Holt (RS SR)
Backups: Robert Mullins (RS JR) and J.P. Hurrell (RS JR)
Redshirt: Jalen Jefferson, Nathan Broussard

There was no chance in hell that either Kendricks and Holt were going to be displaced by anyone other than Jesus and Chuck Norris, so the question was of filling out the two deep. Mullins and Hurrell have both seen important reps throughout their careers and though they have yet to light the world on fire with their play, their experience will be important early on in the season as some of the underclassmen learn the ropes.

Cornerbacks
Starters: Steve Williams (RS SO) and Marc Anthony (RS JR)
Backups: Josh Hill (RS JR) and Stefan McClure (FR)
Redshirt: Joel Willis

I've already spoken about Josh Hill's presence in the secondary, and how me may be used. Hill has dismissed any secrecy behind his role, but with Clancy Pendergast's NFL background, I wonder.

The fact that McClure is playing as a true freshman speaks to his talent and the lack of depth at the position. I expect good things from him, although it looks like he'll follow in the Williams/Thompson tradition of wearing a cast through the early part in the season.

Safeties
Starters: Sean Cattouse (RS SR) and DJ Campbell (RS SR)
Backups: Michael Coley (RS FR) and CJ Moncrease (RS SR)
Greyshirt: Jordan Morgan

There's little debate among the veteran safety duo of Cattouse and Campbell. There was a strong battle in camp among the backups, with youngsters Alex Logan, and Avery Walls being held off the two deep. I expect both to play though, and Walls in particular, might make some noise on special teams at the very least.