Defensive Analysis
Basically ... The defense wasn't all that bad finishing fifth in the ACC giving up 374.9 yards per game. There's a concern about the pass rush coming from someone other than Phillip Alexander, and there are some key losses with LB Ryan Fowler and DT Matt Zielinski graduating and DE Micah Harris dying in a tragic car accident. The secondary will once again be one of the ACC's bigger surprises led by lightning fast corner Kenneth Stanford.
Star of the offense: Senior DE Phillip Alexander
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior LB Giuseppe Aguanno
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore CB John Talley
Best pro prospect: Senior CB Kenneth Stanford
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Alexander, 2) Stanford, 3) DT Orrin
Thompson
Strength of the offense: Secondary
Weakness of the offense: Pass rush outside of Phillip Alexander
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Philip Alexander, Jr. - The former linebacker turned into a terror of a defensive end making 59 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss. He's a quick, strong pass rusher with decent size.
- Defensive tackle Casey Camero, Soph. - The 265-pound sophomore will try and replace All-ACC talent Matt Zielinski on the inside. While not huge, he's tremendously quick and showed great promise making 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
- Defensive tackle Orrin Thompson, Sr. - At 6-7 and 320 pounds, Thompson is a good playmaker in the middle making 31 tackles and six tackles for loss. He has the experience and the size to be a top run stopper, and now he has to be the anchor with Matt Zielinski gone.
- Defensive end Eli Nichols, Soph. - Nichols will get the first shot at the starting defensive end slot after the death of Micah Harris. Nichols will compete with David Martin and Justin Kitchen for the job after seeing time in four games.
Top Backups
- DE David Martin, Jr. - The 240-pound junior will combine with Eli Nichols to try and take over for Micah Harris. He got a start last year and has seen action in 17 games, but he only has one tackle.
- DT Demetrius Warrick, Jr. - The 6-7 305-pound junior needs to become a major factor in the tackle rotation. He has enough starting experience to take over for the 265-pound Casey Camero at times on the inside.
The Skinny: The loss of All-ACC tackle Matt Zielinski and the tragic
death of end Micah Harris takes two great players off the line. Phillip Alexander
is a strong player to build around, while tackles Orrin Thompson, Casey Camero
and Demetrius Warrick have to shine to hope for improvement against the run.
Player to keep an eye on: Orrin Thompson ... Defensive Line Rating: 5
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Brendan Dewan, Jr. - Dewan isn't all that huge at 210 pounds and he has broken down suffering a foot injury in 2002, but he's tough and always finds ways to make plays. He has 150 career tackles finishing third on the team with 91 stops last year.
- Giuseppe Aguanno, Sr. - The 240-pound senior will move to the middle to try and replace all-star Ryan Fowler. Aguanno is a tough player good and getting into the backfield. He'll be used for his strength on the inside needing to come close to Fowler's 136 tackles of last year.
- Malcolm Ruff, Jr. - With Giuseppe Aguanno moving inside, Ruff will take over on the outside after making 40 tackles as a reserve. At 250 pounds he's the biggest linebacker in the corps, and he's also one of the fastest.
Top Backups
- Codey Lowe, Soph. - Lowe is back after missing last year. At 230 pounds he provides nice size in the middle backing up Giuseppa Aguanno.
- DeAndre White, Jr. - While he has the size of a strong safety, the 210-pound White has been a strong backup over the last two years making 72 tackles. He has enough starting experience to step in on the outside if needed pushing Brendan Dewan for time.
The Skinny: Ryan Fowler was more than just a top tackler, he was the
leader of the linebacking corps. Brendan Dewan and Giuseppa Aguanno are veterans
able to pick up the slack, and there are three experienced players ready to
rotate in the mix. Malcolm Ruff should do fine in the vacated slot on the
outside.
Player to keep an eye on Malcolm Ruff ... Linebacker Rating: 5.5
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Kenneth Stanford, Sr. - Stanford has turned into one of the ACC's better corners thanks to his tremendous speed. While not all that big, he makes up for it with track star wheels. With 30 career broken up passes and five interceptions, he's great when the ball is in the air. he's also a tough tackler finishing fifth on the team last year with 63 stops.
- Safety Brian Greene, Jr. - The former corner will take his size and speed to safety to take Terrell Smith's old job. While not the hitter that Smith was, Greene can tackle with 37 stops last year and is decent in coverage.
- Safety Alex Green, Sr. - The 6-2, 195-pound Green is a strong hitter and a good pass defender making 56 tackles and two interceptions last year. He has been a steady three-year performer who will be one of the rocks of the secondary.
- Cornerback John Talley, Soph. - While not all that big or physical at 5-11 and 175 pounds, Talley is a rising playmaker using his great speed to make get in on 32 tackles. He came on at the end of last year and won't be a liability as the only new starter.
Top Backups
- S Jeramy Edwards, Soph. - Edwards is a good-sized safety with good athleticism and enough experience to be a reliable reserve behind Alex Green. He made 14 tackles last year.
- S C.J. Woodard, Jr. - Primarily a key special teams player, Woodard has played in every game in his two year career making 19 tackles. He'll play more defense this year backing up Brian Greene.
The Skinny: The secondary was the team's most improved unit finishing
fourth in the ACC in pass defense. That's not to say its drum-tight, but there
are good, reliable performers to have another good year. CB Kenneth Stanford
is an All-ACC caliber corner who won't get the necessary recognition since
he plays for the Blue Devils. John Talley is a good young corner, while the
safeties are athletic and experienced.
Player to keep an eye on: John Talley ... Secondary Rating: 6.5
Special Teams
- Placekicker Matt Brooks, Sr. - Brooks can punt and kick, but he's far more effective on field goals hitting six of nine. He doesn't have a huge leg, but he's reliable enough to count on from short to medium range.
- Punter Trey McDonald, Sr. - McDonald turned his game up a few notches averaging 40.7 yards per kick putting 15 inside the 20. An experienced weapon, he'll be in the mix for All-ACC honors.
The Skinny: The kicking game will be fine with Trey McDonald returning
as one of the ACC's most experienced punters and Matt Brooks able to handle
all the kicking duties if needed. The punt return game is another story as
Lance Johnson only averaged five yards per return. Senterrio Landrum is an
elite kickoff returner averaging 28.4 yards. The coverage units are solid.
