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Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Eric Clark, Soph. - A rising star on the line, Clark is
a good all-around end making 12 tackles last year starting in four games.
He's the most athletic lineman on the team and should see his sack stats
quickly go up with teams worrying about Darrell Reid on the other side.
- Defensive tackle Mark Losli, Jr. - Losli is a big, quick player with 22
straight stars on the line. He was a great complement to Darrell Reid on
the end and will move inside this year to provide experience on the inside.
If Anthony Montgomery plays as expected, Losli should be able to beat most
single-team blocks to get into the backfield.
- Defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery, Jr. - The 315-pound player didn't
make the jump expected of him last year, but he was still a tremendous run
stopper on the nose making 31 tackles and seven tackles for loss. He disappeared
during too many stretches late in the year and needs to become an All-Big
Ten caliber player for the line to shine.
- Defensive end Darrell Reid, Sr. - A unsung star, the emotional leader
of the defense is one of the Big Ten's rising pass rushers after making
5.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten season.
At 280 pounds he can play inside if he has to.
Top Backups
- DT Keith Lipka, Jr. - A strong reserve, the 265-pound junior isn't big
enough to be a full-time starter inside in the Big Ten, but he's good enough
to come in for a few plays to give Mark Losli a breather.
- DE Maurice Buchanon, Soph. - A decent sized end, Buchanon is ready to
make an impact playing behind Darrell Reid.
The Skinny: This won't be a dominant line, but it'll be far from
a weakness. The run defense got better last year thanks to the emergence
of Anthony Montgomery on the inside. If he goes down there's big trouble
without too much beef on the inside. Darrell Reid has All-Big Ten potential
on the end.
Player to keep an eye on: Eric Clark ... Defensive Line Rating: 6.5
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Terrance Campbell, Jr. - Campbell is only 200 pounds, but he's effective
making 87 tackles and four sacks from his weakside position. Built like
a safety, he's also great in pass coverage making an interception and breaking
up three passes. He's an all-around disruptor.
- Mario Reese, Soph. - Reese has to take over for Ben West and his 84 tackles
on the inside. He was a valuable reserve last year making 16 tackles showing
flashes of the speed and athleticism that'll make him one of the team's
top tacklers.
- Kyle McKenzie, Jr. - A quick player on the strongside, McKenzie has sideline-to-sideline
ability making 61 tackles despite being a bit banged up. He's a versatile
veteran able to play at any of the linebacking spots, but found a home in
the spring game looking like he was everywhere on every play.
Top Backups
- Brian Smith, Sr. - More than just a good backup, the 235-pound Smith made
28 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss last year playing behind Ben West in
the middle.
- Dominique Sims, Sr. - Sims is a longtime veteran usually the first player
in the mix on the outside and good enough to start if needed. He had one
start last year along with his backup duties making 23 tackles.
The Skinny: This isn't the biggest groups of linebackers in the
Big Ten, but it's among the most athletic. It's not the most physical of
corps needing to be stronger at the point of attack rather than make plays
a few yards past the line. However, there are enough veterans and enough
experienced depth that there shouldn't be too many mistakes.
Player to keep an eye on: Mario Reese ... Linebacker Rating: 6
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Ukee Dozier, Sr. - A good-sized physical corner, Dozier was
fourth on the team with 72 tackles and led the way with eight broken up
passes. He'll lock up on every opposing team's number one receiver with
decent speed and excellent man-on-man coverage skills.
- Free safety John Pawielski, Jr. - Pawielski has to replace the 96 stops
of leading tackler Eli Ward. He's not starting from scratch making 31 tackles
last year, but he isn't the all-around player Ward was.
- Strong safety Justin Fraley, Sr. - A good all-around player, Fraley made
45 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions working behind Justin Isom
last year. He's a big hitter, but he doesn't have Isom's all-around athleticism.
- Cornerback Trumaine Banks, Soph. - Banks is quickly becoming a top cover-corner
only missing experience to match Ukee Dozier as the team's best pass defender.
He's a good tackler making 56 stops and broke up seven passes.
Top Backups
- Free safety Brandon Owens, Soph. - An up-and-coming playmaker, Owens has
the size and athleticism the starting safeties are lacking a bit of. He'll
push for time behind John Pawielski and could quickly take over the starting
job.
- Cornerback Mike Wojciechowski, Sr - He's not going to start, but he's
an experienced veteran always effective in nickel and dime packages.
The Skinny: While the pass defense didn't allow too many touchdown
passes (14), it gave up too many yards and never seemed to be able to stop
the bleeding once a quarterback got hot. Usually that doesn't happen with
a veteran secondary, and now Eli Ward and Justin Isom have to be replaced
in middle. The corners will be strong, but safeties Justin Fraley and John
Pawielski must prove they can handle the responsibility.
Player to keep an eye on: Trumaine Banks ... Secondary Rating: 6
Special Teams
- Placekicker/Punter Rhys Lloyd, Jr. - One of the Big Ten's biggest surprises,
Lloyd started hitting his kicks and didn't make mistakes also coming through
in the clutch time and again. He hit 14 of 18 field goals and showed a good
leg hitting a 54-yard bomb going 5 of 8 from beyond 40 yards. He was a dependable
punter, but not a great one considering he gets to kick in the Dome. He
only averaged 39.2 yards per kick and only put ten inside the 20.
The Skinny: Rhys Lloyd is a solid all-around kicker. The return
game is dangerous with star RB Marion Barber III averaging a whopping 14.5
yards per punt return and Laurence Maroney averaging 25.8 yards per kickoff
return. The issue is with the coverage units allowing 21.9 yards per kickoff
return and 12.1 yards on every punt. A priority this spring, things should
be much better.
Special Teams Rating: 8
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