Coastal Carolina Football: Can Chanticleers replicate last seasons run?

Coastal has the Sun Belt’s best defense in 2021

10 starters are going to be returning for the Chanticleers on defense, but the one guy that they are going to be missing is Sun Belt defensive player of the year Tarron Jackson, who was drafted by the Eagles. Jackson was a great defensive end, but the rest of this Coastal defense is loaded for 2021.

The defensive front might be missing Jackson on the edge, but this is still a loaded group on the D-line. Jeffrey Gunter is the top guy returning at defensive end with 6.5 sacks and he will be joined by C.J Brewer on the interior and Brewer also had 6.5 sacks.

Jerrod Clark will start opposite of Brewer at tackle and look for Georgia Tech defensive end transfer Emmanuel Johnson to grab another starting spot.

At linebacker, this group is going to be headlined by three senior linebackers, two of whom were all-conference performers. Silas Kelly was the leading tackler for the team last season with 80 and Teddy Gallagher was not far behind with 76. Kelly was a second-team All-Sun Belt player and he should be even better this season. Enock Makonzo is going to be the other starter and I expect a big season from him in 2021.

The secondary has two all-conference performers in cornerback D’Jordan Strong, who had five interceptions last season, and safety Alex Spillum, who had four interceptions last season. This group of DB’s was very good at forcing turnovers last season and hope to do so again this season. The other starters will be Derick Bush at corner and Brayden Matts and they are talented as well.