2021 Season Preview III: Returning Defense
In the final season preview On Cannon Green is going to examine what UWF has returning on defense from the 2019 National Championship team.
Defensive Line
Key Returning Players: DE Senior Matthew Gotel (14 starts of 14 appearances, 31 tackles 6.5 TFL 2.5 sacks, NT Senior Myles Meyer (1 of 14, 29 2.5 0), DT Senior Brandon Penerton (0 of 14, 22 2.0 0.5), DE RS Soph Aidan Swett (0 of 14, 10 2.0 2.0)
Key Players Lost: Daryl Wilson, Ian Bush, Ty Cox, TJ Kelly
New Additions: Ja’Quize Cross (RS Junior, Akron), Pooda Walker (Fresh., Pensacola, FL), Vincent McIntosh (Senior, Jackson State)
The front line of the UWF defense is looking to replace 2/3 starters from last year (DE Ian Bush 13 starts 15.5 TFL, NT Daryl Wilson 12 starts 4.0 TFL). Because of UWF’s defensive 3 down line defensive scheme, the line doesn’t tend to be super productive in terms of stats. Excluding John Williamson in 2016 and 2017 no UWF DL has had more than 4.5 sacks in a season in school history, which Ian Bush had in 2019. To U Dubb’s advantage, they do return strong side DE/DT Gotel who started every game but one, as well as four backups who appeared in at least 12 games. Myles Meyer started once last year at nose tackle, and likely battles to pick up the starting mantle at that position. Aiden Swett seems like the likely choice to man the second DE spot across from Gotel. I’d also expect Akron Transfer Ja’Quize Cross (11 starts in 15 appearances, 4.5 TFL 1 sack), to compete for a starting spot, as well as Jackson State Transfer Vincent McIntosh (14 appearances, 3.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks). Cross originally signed with Kentucky out of high school and McIntosh was being touted as a potential draft prospect at JSU ahead of the canceled 2020 season.
Returning Production: 15 of 45 starts (33.3%), 74 of 167 appearances (44.3%), 98 of 255 tackles (38.4%), 14 of 42 TFL (33.3%), 4 of 13.5 sacks (29.6%)
Projected Depth Chart: DE1 Senior Matthew Gotel, Senior Brandon Penerton, DE2 RS Soph. Aidan Swett, Junior Jaeden Ridgeway NT Senior Myles Meyer, Senior Brendan Cotilla-Delgado
Linebackers and Nickel
Key Returning Players: Nickel RS Senior Trent Archie (15 starts of 15 appearances, 91 tackles 10.0 TFL 5.5 Sacks 4 FF), WLB RS Soph. Gael Laurent (4 of 14, 52 13.5 8.0 4), LB RS Junior Derontae Jordan (0 of 13, 23 1.5 0.0 0)
Key Players Lost: Andre Duncombe, Kedrick Bradley, Chanler Ferguson
New Additions: Kee Whetzel (Senior, Oregon State), Shea Campbell (Senior, WVU), Will Breland (Fresh., Mobile, AL)
Lumping the Nickel back (hybrid LB/Slot DB) into the LB group, this is a position where UWF lost a lot (leading tackler Ferguson, program godfather Duncombe, and starting MLB Bradley) but returns arguably the two biggest pieces in starting Nickel Archie and backup WLB and leading sack artist Laurent, the most productive front 7 defenders remaining from 2019. In terms of chaos plays, UWF’s second level defenders bring back a lot, 59% of TFLs and almost 70% of sacks, but they’ll have to replace about 15 tackles per game from the three exiting starters. FBS transfers Whetzel (24 games, 2 starts) and Campbell (22 games, 7 starts) should provide two steady presences in the room, and likely push De’Marco Artis (9 appearances, 11 tackles 2.5 TFL) for the MLB spot. While the SLB spot looks like a totally open battle, with perhaps Jordan having the leg up.
Returning Production: 19 of 60 starts (31.7%), 54 of 133 appearances (40.6%), 180 of 455 tackles (39.6%), 27.5 of 46.5 TFL (59.1%), 15 of 21.5 sacks (69.8%)
Projected Depth Chart: Nickel RS Senior Trent Archie, MLB RS Senior Shea Campbell, RS Senior Kee Whetzel, WLB RS Soph. Gael Laurent, RS Fresh. Khabib Gilmore SLB RS Junior Derontae Jordan, RS Soph Peyton Xayasone
Cornerback and Safety
Key Returning Players: SS RS Senior D’Anthony Bell (15 starts, 77 tackles 2 INT 9 PBU), CB Junior Sharod Oliver (12 starts, 59 2 6), CB RS Senior Marcus Clayton (11 starts, 28 0 9)
Key Players Lost: Henry Montgomery, David Richardson
New Additions: Shannon Showers (RS Junior, Southern Miss), Braylon Anderson (Fresh., Saraland, AL), Anthony Johnson Jr. (Fresh., Miami, FL)
Aside from QB and RB, this is the most experienced unit returning in 2021. Primary starters at CB Oliver and Clayton combine for 23 starts and 15 PBU last season, while versatile safety starter Bell comes back after starting all 15 last season and leading the secondary with 77 tackles. The Argos do have to replace part time starters in Montgomery and Richardson who combined for 3 INTs in 2019. Kion Holder likely steps in as the full time starter at FS next year, after starting a few games there last season, and key backups CB De’Mareyae Givens and CB/SS TJ Limehouse also return. Experienced transfer Shannon Showers could also provide some quality reps at safety this season.
Returning production: 47 of 60 starts (78.3%), 78 of 124 appearances (62.9%), 260 of 387 tackles (67.2%), 4 of 8 INTs (50%), 29 of 35 PBUs (82.8%)
Projected Depth Chart: CB1 Junior Sharod Oliver, RS Junior De’Maryae Givens, CB2 RS Senior Marcus Clayton, RS Junior TJ Limehouse, SS RS Senior D’Anthony Bell, RS Junior TJ Limehouse , FS Senior Kion Holder, RS Junior Shannon Showers
