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Basically ... The defense didn't give up all that many yards but allowed 32.2 points per game. The lack of any support from the offense, and playing several very young players, hurt the overall production, but things will be better this year with 12 players with starting experience. There's size, speed and athleticism as this should be one of the WAC's best defenses.
Star of the defense: Senior DT Allan Adami
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior DE Melvin Williams
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore LB Reggie Carrington
Best pro prospect: Williams
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Adami, 2) LB D.D. Lee, 3) CB Rolando Humphrey
Strength of the defense: Secondary
Weakness of the defense: Pass rush
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Melvin Williams, Sr. - Williams has been asked to be a top pass rusher, but it hasn't happened yet over the course of his career. He has the experience and the ability to get into the backfield, and now he must get to the quarterback after making 39 tackles and 1.5 sacks last year.
- Defensive tackle Allan Adami, Sr. - One of the best players in the WAC, Adami bulked up to 276 pounds making him even stronger against the run while not losing any quickness. He has been the leader of the defense over the last few years and will be the anchor against this season coming off a 75 tackle, 1.5 sack season with 14 quarterback pressures.
- Nose guard Desmond Jones, Soph. - The 294-pound Jones provides some much needed bulk to the middle of the line. He got a little bit of experience as a true freshman making 24 tackles, and now he should grow into a top tackle.
- Defensive end Justin Rogers, Soph. - Rogers has all the tools to become a top end. His emergence allowed the coaching staff to move Don Ieremia-Stansbury to linebacker coming off a 32 tackle season.
Top Backups
- NG Randy Denman, Soph. - The 260-pound Denman is a bit undersized at nose guard, but he's quick and has experience making six tackles in five games last year. He'll combine with the 313-pound Brandon Bonds for the backup job behind Desmond Jones.
- DE Charlie Berry, Soph. - Berry saw a little bit of time as a true freshman making 13 tackles in eight games. He'll backup Melvin Williams.
The Skinny: This was a painfully young line last year with several true freshmen seeing playing time. Now this is a bigger, stronger, more talented front wall led by the great Allan Adami. The only concern is with the pass rush as there hasn't been any from the ends. There is some good young talent providing some depth.
Player to keep an eye on: Desmond Jones ... Defensive Line Rating: 5
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- D.D. Lee, Sr. - Lee can play in the middle or on the outside getting the start this year on the strongside. He tied in the team lead in tackles making 100 tackles to go along with two sacks, six broken up passes and an interception. He has good size who is strong against the run.
- Reggie Carrington, Soph. - The 242-pound Carrington is built to be a stopper in the middle taking over the starting spot. He made a splash as a true freshman making 32 tackles, and now he'll be among the team's leading tacklers.
- Rico Harris, Sr. - Harris is a safety playing linebacker, but he's more suited for his job on the weakside. At 210-pounds, he uses his range to make plays, but he has to get back to 100% after missing most of last year with a knee injury.
Top Backups
- Don Ieremia-Stansbury, Jr. - Ieremia-Stansbury started out his career as an outside linebacker, was moved to defensive end, and is back to linebacker where he'll be a key player in the middle. He made 75 tackles and three sacks last year and will be great at getting in the backfield.
- Avery Cleveland, RFr. - The 6-3, 210-pound Cleveland will backup Rico Harris on the weakside. He has tremendous athleticism and was a top recruit for the Mustangs.
- Cole Horton, Soph. - Horton is a tall, rangy player at 6-5 and 220 pounds who has mostly been a special teamer so far. He'll push for time behind D.D. Lee on the strongside.
The Skinny: Brian Bischoff and D.D. Johnson's combined 165 tackles are gone, but this should still be a good linebacking corps with the emergence of Reggie Carrington, the return of Rico Harris from injury and the moving of Don Ieremia-Stansbury from end to linebacker. There's a nice mix of size and speed as this should be a strong WAC corps.
Player to keep an eye on: Reggie Carrington ... Linebacker Rating: 6
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Charles Akinyemi, Jr. - Akinyemi comes from Air Force to take over Jonas Rutledge's old spot bringing great speed and quickness. He was a spot starter for the Falcons making 24 tackles and an interception in 2002.
- Free safety Alvin Nnabuife, Jr. - Nnabuife overcame a pectoral injury to make 71 tackles and break up six passes. He's 6-1, 209 pounds with decent range.
- Strong safety Jamey Harper, Jr. - With 83 tackles, the 6-1, 195-pound Harper is a solid tackler and one of the best all-around athletes on the team. He has run on the SMU track team on the relay team along with his triple jump duties. He needs to make more plays when the ball is in the air, and he should after a few years of experience.
- Cornerback Rolando Humphrey, Jr. - Humphrey is a veteran in the system and one of the team's top cover-corners breaking up seven passes and making 49 tackles. He's a big-time athlete with great quickness.
Top Backups
- Strong safety Joe Sturdivant, Soph. - The 6-2, 190-pound Sturdivant is a reliable backup making 19 tackles last year. He is a solid all-around prospect who'll quickly get into the mix.
- Cornerback Ervin McGee, Soph. - McGee isn't big, but he's another very fast SMU corner in the rotation. He didn't see much time last year making four tackles and will now back up Rolando Humphrey.
The Secondary: SMU's secondary wasn't all that bad last year by WAC standards allowing 225 yards per game and 28 touchdowns. Just about everyone returns with Charles Akinyemi making up for the loss of Jonas Rutledge. This is a lightning fast group that should grow into one of the best in the WAC after all the experience the starters have.
Player to keep an eye on: Charles Akinyemi ... Secondary Rating: 6
Special Teams
- Placekicker Chris McMurtray, Jr. - McMurtray had a horrible freshman year hitting one of four field goals, but he was far stronger last year connecting on 10 of 14. He has a good leg, even though he didn't show it off much last year, and will battle with Ryan Wolcott for the job.
- Punter Ryan Mentzel, Jr. - Mentzel is good at placement putting 22 kicks inside the 20, but he doesn't have a booming leg only averaging 38.3 yards per kick.
The Skinny: The kicking game is merely average needing to be better from longer distances with more consistency. Jonas Rutledge will be a sorely missed kickoff returner, but Blake Warren is back after averaging 10.2 yards per punt return. The coverage units need help.
Special Teams Rating: 7
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