Can the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Find Consistency?

Defense

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While the offense struggled mightily, the defensive unit was actually pretty decent. Okay, so giving up 26 points per game and ranking 61st in scoring defense isn’t great, but it’s a start in a new system. Plus, there are plenty of returning starters for this defense to be even better, as long as new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz can answer one question: how to replace departing talent up front.

Losing IK Enemkpali  at defensive end is a huge deal after he recorded 5.5 sacks and 2 interceptions last year, and Justin Ellis’s and Shakeil Lucas’s departures at tackle will be missed as well. With Kendrick James, the other end, gone too, the line will look very different. But with the amount of rotation on the line last year, there are still returning significant contributors, including defensive tackles Vernon Butler, Malcolm Pichon, and DeAngelo Brooks, and defensive ends Vontarrius Dora and Kevin Kisseberth. Andre Taylor also played 10 games last year and is back, and despite only playing two games, Devon McKinney brings some experience as a senior tackle this year. This is enough for a solid rotation and depth, and of the four freshmen, three were Rivals 3-stars who could contribute early. Expect a drop-off on the line, but maybe not as significant as you might think.

While the front line may be a question, the linebackers shouldn’t be. Six of the seven linebackers who played last year are back, and the only loss is starting middle linebacker Daniel Cobb. Don’t get me wrong, his 59.5 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, interception, 2

Nov 9, 2013; Ruston, LA, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles running back George Payne (24) is tackled in the end zone by Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defensive tackle DeAngelo Brooks (90) for a safety in the first quarter at Joe Aillet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

forced fumbles, fumble recovery, and 2 passes broken up will be missed. But on the outside, Mitch Villemez was nearly as significant with 52.5 tackles, including 3 for a loss and 2 sacks, to go along with 2 passes broken up and 3 forced fumbles. As a senior, he should be the leader of the unit. There’s also Beau Fitte and Terrell Pinson, who 33 and 23 tackles respectively to go along with a combined 6.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions in Fitte’s case while Pinson broke up 6 passes. Tony Johnson also has plenty of experience and should be able to step in as a senior in the middle and make a difference, and Mike Schrang and Andre Wiggins each have experience as well. There’s plenty of depth and experience for this unit to be even better than it was last year.

The secondary is even more of a sure-fire bet than the linebackers. A pass defense that was the anchor for the entire defense, only giving up 213 yards a game and ranking 31st in the nation, returns everybody. Thomas McDonald will be a senior this year at safety after recording 3 interceptions, breaking up 5 passes, and forcing a fumble last year. On the other side, Xavier Woods returns as a sophomore with more experience under his belt after recording 3 tackles for a loss last year and breaking up 2 passes. At cornerback, Adairius Barnes led the team in interceptions last year with 4 and is back as a junior, and Le’Vander Liggins returns for his senior season after an interception and breaking up 10 passes last year. Bryson Abraham is another cornerback who will return for his junior year after 3 interceptions last year. Kentrell Brice and Lloyd Grogan both saw significant time as well. There is so much depth here that the unit should not see any drop-off and should be the strongest part of the team.

If the defense can withstand the losses up front and adjust to Diaz’s system in time, there is no reason it can’t be better than last year. There is a lot of returning talent to a unit that wasn’t bad last year, and the strongest unit returns everybody. This should be a top 50 defense in the country by year’s end.