Defense
Like the offense, the defense returns some serious talent. Eight starters are back from a defense that was elite at times last season. The talent starts up front. The line wasn’t great last year, but showed a bunch of potential.
On the outside, Victor Dimukeje and Tre Hornebuckle should be better and will get more pressure on the quarterback than last year. The tackles should also be solid. Edgar Cerenord and Trevon McSwain both have experience and will staple the run defense up front.
Luckily, the line doesn’t need to be elite. The linebackers will be. Joe Giles-Harris is a stud, and his surrounding teammates, Ben Humphreys and Koby Quansah, are both solid.
It’s hard to overstate just how good this group will be. These three combined for 246 total tackles last year. Giles-Harris could be a first-round pick, and neither of the other two are very far behind.
The secondary should also be solid. While Alonzo Saxton II and Deondre Singleton are gone, Mark Gilbert should fill in well. Jeremy McDuffie and Jordan Hayes are both proven commodities and will be great across from each other at safety. If Marquis Waters and Michael Carter II both improve, this group will be fine.
Can this defense get even better?
This was a top 20 defense last season. Despite some losses in the backfield, they’ll likely be around that level again this year. It’ll hinge on some development from guys like Dimukeje, Quansah and Gilbert, turning from good to elite, but there’s so much potential here.
It’s hard to see this group getting much better, but it’s possible. With good pressure up front, elite linebacker play, a continuation of dominance against the run, and all-conference level play from Gilbert, this defense will be elite. Like, top ten in the country. The potential is limitless.