Stanford Football: Will David Shaw bring edge back to Cardinal in 2019?

Losses may ultimately be gains on defense

There is a good amount of turnover on the defensive side of the ball, but that may be a good thing. In 2018, the Cardinal defense ranked finished 115th nationally in pass defense, and 78th in total defense.

Five starters return, but the infusion of new talent will be the key to this unit’s improvement. That starts at the linebacker position.

Inside linebackers Bobby Okereke and Sean Barton anchored the defense, but they depart. Replacing them will be a pair of freshmen in Ricky Miezan and Jacob Magnum-Farrar. There’s turnover at outside backer as well, with Jordan Fox and Casey Toohill taking over those roles.

The most experience lies on the defensive line. Jovan Swann and Michael Williams return to anchor the front in Stanford’s 3-4 scheme. They’ll likely be joined by sophomore Thomas Booker.

It is, however, the secondary that needs the most improvement. This is the unit that had so much trouble against the pass a year ago. Paulson Adebo is a great cornerback, but he is merely one of four defensive backs. There’s no doubt that teams will attack Obi Eboh or Salim Turner-Muhammad on the other side of the field.