Defensive Analysis
The front seven will be a high-flying, pass rushing, run stopping brick wall with future NFL stars Chris Canty, Ahmad Brooks and Kai Parham leading the way. The concern is a secondary that will rely on talented, but still raw, sophomore corners, a running back at one safety (Marquis Weeks) and another safety trying to quickly come back from a torn up knee (Jermaine Hardy).
Star of the defense: Sophomore LB Ahmad Brooks
Player that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore CBs Marcus
Hamilton and Tony Franklin
Unsung star on the rise: Hamilton
Best pro prospect: Brooks
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Brooks, 2) DE Chris Canty, 3) LB
Darryl Blackstock
Strength of the defense: Linebackers
Weakness of the defense: Secondary
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Brennan Schmidt, Jr. - While slightly undersized, the 269-pound junior has been a consistent playmaker making 87 tackles in each of his first two seasons. He became a stronger pass rusher with four sacks and 12 quarterback hurries.
- Nose tackle Andrew Hoffman, Sr. - The 285-pound Hoffman is a good sized stuffer in the middle making 56 tackles in each of the last two seasons. He was playing hurt at the end of last year but still produced.
- Defensive end Chris Canty, Sr. - Canty showed next level talent last year finally staying healthy and making a whopping 104 tackles, four sacks and 12 tackles for loss. The 6-7, 280-pound senior is one of the most productive tackling linemen in the nation with 190 stops over the last two years.
Top Backups
- DE Kwakou Robinson, Jr. - A backup defensive end over the last two years, the 327-pound Robinson is more of another tackle. He took a minor step back in 2003 making 24 tackles after a 34 tackle freshman season, but he has enough experience to be rotated in.
- DT Keenan Carter, RFr. - At 325 pounds, Carter provides a bigger body than Andrew Hoffman on the nose. He is expected to grow into the team's top run stopper.
The Skinny: This is a tremendously strong line with three very, very
good players. Chris Canty has NFL tools and is a premier tackler, while Brennan
Schmidt and Andrew Hoffman have quietly been producers over the last two years.
The depth is a little young and need developing.
Player to keep an eye on: Keenan Carter ... Defensive Line Rating: 8.5
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Dennis Haley, Sr. - A solid veteran backup who made 36 tackles last year, Haley will get the first crack at the open starting role on the outside. He'll be overlooked with all the star talents in the linebacking corps, but he should make plenty of plays with everyone staying away from the other three.
- Kai Parham, Soph. - Over the back problems of a few years ago, Parham turned into a big-hitting force in the middle making 89 tackles and seven tackles for loss. The "hammer" has excellent speed and is on the verge of All-ACC honors as he gets more experienced.
- Ahmad Brooks, Soph. - If you want to look for underclassmen ready for the NFL right now, Brooks is one who is more than ready. The 6-4, 249-pound sophomore led the Cavaliers with 117 tackles with four sacks and 15 quarterback hurries. He's also fantastic in pass coverage breaking up six passes using his speed to stay with any running back.
- Darryl Blackstock, Jr. - One of college football's unsung star linebackers, Blackstock has become a great all-around playmaker on the outside with 192 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and 44 quarterback hurries in his first two seasons. He isn't the talent that Ahmad Brooks is, but he's just as vital to the defense.
Top Backups
- Rich Bedesem, Sr. - Bedesem is a tough playmaker and a strong fill-in starter with 126 career tackles. He was banged up a little last year and ended up being replaced by Kai Parham, and now he'll be the first player off the bench in the inside rotation.
- Bryan White, Sr. - White can play any linebacker position and will play behind Ahmad Brooks on the inside, but at 227 pounds, he's more suited to the outside. He spend most of last year as a special teamer.
The Skinny: This could be the best linebacking corps in the country.
Ahmad Brooks is NFL ready and should be one of the ACC's leading tacklers.
Darryl Blackstock is one of the ACC's most complete linebackers, and Kai Parham
is one of the league's rising stars. The only question is at the other outside
slot with Dennis Haley and Jermaine Dias battling for the job.
Player to keep an eye on: Kai Parham ... Linebacker Rating: 10
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Marcus Hamilton, Soph. - Hamilton spent his freshman season making 29 tackles as a nickel back, and now he'll be one of the team's top corners with his size and overall playmaking talents. He's a smart, ACC All-Academic performer who is expected to grow into a star after a little bit of time.
- Safety Jermaine Hardy, Sr. - The former corner moved over to safety and had a big season making 97 tackles. He's trying to get healthy again after tearing up his knee and he needs to be 100% to hope for any improvement in the secondary.
- Safety Marquis Weeks, Sr. - Weeks moves from running back to safety providing excellent speed and athleticism. He has been a solid backup runner and kick returner and a big hitter on special teams.
- Cornerback Tony Franklin, Soph. - Franklin took over the starting job halfway through his freshman season and turned in a strong season highlighted by a decent performance against Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald. He finished with 38 tackles and two interceptions returning one for a touchdown against Western Michigan. He is also a top kick returner.
Top Backups
- S Robbie Catterton, Soph. - Catterton saw plenty of action this spring with Jermaine Hardy out. He's a good sized safety who made four tackles and an interception as a true freshman.
- S Lance Evans, Soph. - If Jermaine Hardy can't go, Evans will step into his spot. He's a 6-4, 200-pound athlete with seven tackles last year on special teams.
- CB Shannon Lane, RFr. - The 6-1, 185-pound Lane is the biggest corner in the mix. He'll start out on the left side backing up Marcus Hamilton.
The Skinny: The secondary gave up 223 yards per game but only allowed
14 touchdowns. There are too many young players to expect a major improvement
with the top veteran, senior safety Jermaine Hardy, trying to get over a knee
problem. The pass defense will rely on two sophomore corners and a former
running back, Marquis Weeks, at safety. While all have athleticism, it is
going to take a while to hope for a ton of production.
Player to keep an eye on: Marcus Hamilton ... Secondary Rating: 6
Special Teams
- Placekicker Connor Hughes, Jr. - One of the nation's best kickers, Hughes nailed 23 of 25 field goals last year and 28 of 31 over the last two. Automatic inside the 40, Hughes' two misses last season came from 40 and 53 yards. He has an NFL-accurate deep leg connecting on seven of nine from beyond 40.
- Punter Noah Greenbaum, Soph. - Greenbaum takes over for Tom Hagan, who left to play baseball, and should provide more of a boom to the punting game after Hagan only averaged 34.8 yards per kick. There will be open competition for the job this summer.
The Skinny: PK Connor Hughes is one of the nation's best weapons. The
same can't be said for the punting as it's still unsettled with Noah Greenbaum
getting the first look. Marques Hagans was the top punt returner last year,
but quarterback duties will change that. Alvin Pearman and Tony Franklin will
be the main kick returners. The coverage units are decent.
Special Teams Rating: 8
