Senior safeties Dallas Lloyd and Zach Hoffpauir are both graduated after playing key roles in the secondary in 2016.
For a team that ranked 25th nationally in passing efficiency defense, filling those holes is going to be critical. That creates an opportunity for junior safety Ben Edwards to finally step into a starting role. He has the most experience of any safety on the roster besides strong safety Justin Reid, his likely partner atop the depth chart.
As a sophomore, Edwards returned an interception 35 yards at Arizona to shift the momentum in a 34-10 victory. He also finished the year with three pass breakups and 29 tackles in limited duty.
With an expanded role, Edwards could quickly emerge as a force against the passing attacks of the Pac-12. Look to see how he patrols the field and how he operates in tandem with Reid and the cornerbacks during this year’s spring game.