Stanford Cardinal Most Disrespected Team in Football?

Defense

While there are questions about the offense, the defense, which was a major strength for last year’s unit, is loaded. Seven starters are back on a unit that only gave up 19 points per game last year, and new guys who could be plugged in were highly recruited. New defensive coordinator Lance Anderson should simply be continue what took place under Derek Mason, and with experience in the system, that’s likely what he’ll do.

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Starting with the line, two of the three starters are back for a defense that ranked No. 3 in the country in rushing yards allowed at only 89.4 per game. Unfortunately, the biggest producer from the group, Josh Mauro, is gone after 42 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, and an interception. Racking up stats playing as a lineman in a 3-4 defense is rare, but Mauro did that. However, the guys coming back are still pretty good and should be more experienced. Junior Azziz Shittu is loaded with raw talent and should fill one end spot nicely, possibly just as well as Mauro. His potential is that strong. Seniors Blake Lueders and Henry Anderson also have play on the end and have more experience than Shittu, so all of them will see action there and should make the outside of the line even better this year. The middle is set with tackle David Parry, who recorded an impressive 17 tackles and 5 tackles for a loss as a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. After those guys in the rotation, Shaw has five juniors he can turn to for depth, two of whom were 4-stars, and he has 4-star Solomon Thomas, who could be great. Despite Mauro’s departure, the group as a unit should be better than last year, and the Cardinal rushing defense isn’t going anywhere.

The linebacker corps. takes a huge hit with the loss of the two most productive players, one on the inside and one on the outside. Shayne Skov had 85.5 tackles to go along with 13 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles, while Trent Murphy is a huge loss after an amazing 23.5 tackles for a loss and 15 sacks along with an interception ad 2 forced fumbles. The 3-4 scheme at Stanford allows for a couple of linebackers to rack up stats, though, and this year that could be Seniors A.J. Tarpley and James Vaughters. Tarpley had 72.5 tackles last year and 5 tackles for a loss, so as the main player inside his production could match Skov’s, and Vaughters had 28 tackles on the outside to go with 6 tackles for a loss and 4 sacks. He should also be good enough to match Murphy’s numbers. Senior Joe Hemschoot and  junior Blake Martinez are in competition for the other inside linebacker spot, but both will be very valuable in the rotation, regardless of who starts. Senior Kevin Anderson rounds out the starters after that, and in very limited action last year he still had 17.5 tackles and 6 tackles for a loss, so look for him to be fine on the outside. Noor Davis is in the rotation mix too, and Shaw has got four freshmen, three of whom were 4-star recruits, to provide more depth. There is too much talent here for any drop-off, and thanks to Shaw’s great recruiting once again, expect some improvement on the line.

Jan 1, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal safety Jordan Richards (8) and linebacker A.J. Tarpley (17) tackle Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Tony Lippett (14) during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The pass defense was the weakest link of the group by far this year after being ranked 96th in the country with 253.8 passing yards per game given up. But with three starters back and new secondary coach Duane Akina, it should be a lot more experienced and developed this year. Free safety Ed Reynolds is gone, but for a position built on having great playmakers, all he can do is tackle. Senior free safety Kyle Olugbode, despite playing very little last year, should be able to fill that void, and juniors Dallas Lloyd and Kodi Whitfield have enough talent to provide depth or even compete for the starting spot. With 28 consecutive starts, senior Jordan Richards’s experience at strong safety is invaluable, and he’s probably the best player of the unit after 3 interceptions and 4 tackles for a loss last year. Look for him to be very good this year and make some noise. The cornerbacks are set with senior Wayne Lyons and junior Alex Carter, both of whom have reportedly improved dramatically this offseason. Together, this first line of the secondary should be much more experienced, developed, and simply better than last year. Juniors Ronnie Harris and Zach Hoffpauir both provide really solid depth in the rotation and will see action as well this year, and senior Ra’Chard Pippens and  junior Dallas Lloyd will both be serviceable for depth as well. Add to this freshmen Taijuan Thomas and 4-star true freshman Brandon Simmons, and you have a very deep and skilled secondary that should drastically improve over last year.

With a strong front seven expected to match last year’s production and a secondary that should make significant strides, expect the defense to be even better than it was last year. That’s tough to see right now, but this group is loaded and will make Stanford the one team to make great Pac 12 quarterbacks look mortal. Continue to Next Slide for Special Teams