Reports from Spring practice indicate that the coaching staff is very happy the way the defense is looking. Big Ian Williams (#95 pictured on the left) appears to be the anchor of the defensive line. Defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore didn't play a down as a freshman, but is being tabbed by Weis as possibly the best defensive player this Spring so far. Returning senior John Ryan and sophomore Ethan Johnson finish out a defensive line that the coaches have been very high on thus far. In fact, they have knocked out part-time starter, Morrice Richardson at this point. That is always a good sign. The 
linebacker position is very interesting to me. We have returners in seniors Scott Smith and Toryan Smith and junior Brian Smith. Sophomore Steve Filer will also be in the mix. However, the feeling is definitely that the #2 overall rated player by ESPN, linebacker Manti Te'o will have a very good chance to claim a starting spot right away. He chose ND over USC by the way. Unforunately we'll have to wait until fall to see him in action. Fellow freshman Zeke Motta is an early college entry though and also a highly touted recruit that might compete for time. We have heard a lot about the return of DB Darrin Walls(#2 pictured on the left). He is a cornerback that missed last year for personal reasons. Weis is very excited to throw him in the mix with returners Raeshon McNeil and Robert Blanton. All indications are that Walls would have beaten one of them out for a starting spot last year. Blanton had some very promising moments as a starter in only his freshman season. Walls may also help returning kicks. The secondary returns three that were starters at different points at safety. Junior Harrison Smith looks to start at free safety while senior Kyle McCarthy should start at strong safety. That leaves junior Sergio Brown for special packages or b
acking one of them up. I fully believe with the return of 7 players that started or played significant roles last season, the addition of freshman sensation Te'o, and how high the coaches are on Lewis-Moore that this will be a greatly improved defense. Let's not forget that the defense really wasn't all that bad until the offense would put them in bad positions and/or keep them on the field for long periods of time!
linebacker position is very interesting to me. We have returners in seniors Scott Smith and Toryan Smith and junior Brian Smith. Sophomore Steve Filer will also be in the mix. However, the feeling is definitely that the #2 overall rated player by ESPN, linebacker Manti Te'o will have a very good chance to claim a starting spot right away. He chose ND over USC by the way. Unforunately we'll have to wait until fall to see him in action. Fellow freshman Zeke Motta is an early college entry though and also a highly touted recruit that might compete for time. We have heard a lot about the return of DB Darrin Walls(#2 pictured on the left). He is a cornerback that missed last year for personal reasons. Weis is very excited to throw him in the mix with returners Raeshon McNeil and Robert Blanton. All indications are that Walls would have beaten one of them out for a starting spot last year. Blanton had some very promising moments as a starter in only his freshman season. Walls may also help returning kicks. The secondary returns three that were starters at different points at safety. Junior Harrison Smith looks to start at free safety while senior Kyle McCarthy should start at strong safety. That leaves junior Sergio Brown for special packages or b
acking one of them up. I fully believe with the return of 7 players that started or played significant roles last season, the addition of freshman sensation Te'o, and how high the coaches are on Lewis-Moore that this will be a greatly improved defense. Let's not forget that the defense really wasn't all that bad until the offense would put them in bad positions and/or keep them on the field for long periods of time!
2 comments:
I must admit that I forgot how well the defense played most of last year. However, I didn't realize we had so few returning players with much experience. I'm changing my prospective wins to 7-8, down from 9-10. We will still have trouble beating Michigan, Michigan State, USC(of course), BC, and Pitt. Actually, Stanford scares me a little bit.
I like the pix. Is the gold shirt replacing the green shirts of the past? I like the concept of "defending our honor", but we need to acquire some honor in order to defend it. Would you say that I am a little disgruntled with the program at this stage?
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