With a lot of new faces, can Liberty still yield a good defense?
Liberty had a lot of veterans on defense last season, but a lot of the younger players got some experience, so the defense should still be solid this year.
Tre’Shaun Clark was a true freshman last season and had 4.5 sacks. Expect Clark to only get better this season and his counterpart, junior Austin Lewis, to join him, as this is his first year as a starter. Ralfs Rusins will be the leader on the interior of the defensive line, after having 60 total tackles and two sacks a year ago. This defensive line has all kinds of potential, even with last year’s leading pass rusher Jessie Lemonier gone.
All three linebackers will be new starters, but Tyren Dupree and Amarii Jenkins both have playing experience and should fit in seamlessly. Juawan Treadwell will be sliding in to be the new rover on the defense after transferring in from Independence C.C. and he has a lot of talent as well.
Keep an eye on Charlotte transfer Anthony Butler to also see his fair share of playing time. This a talented, but inexperienced group of linebackers.
The secondary is experienced and will be looking to improve after ranking as the 52nd-best pass defense in the country. Cornerbacks Kel’Trel Clark and Jimmy Faulks are both back and the latter is the definition of a shutdown corner. Safety Javon Scruggs had 58 tackles and two interceptions and will look to step up and lead this defense with so many new starters.
The defense has talent, like the offense, but has a lot of new faces in a lot of new places and how quickly those players get adjusted will be the key to how good this defense can be.