this could be their year as the team
enters its final season of play in Conference USA. What the defense lacks in a
true game changing superstar (not counting Thorpe watch list recipient D.J. Hayden), they more than make up
for in numbers across the board, even with the losses of key seniors on all
three levels of the defense. Four year starters David Hunter (defensive end),
Marcus McGraw (strong side Mike linebacker) and safety Nick Saenz along with two
year starter and defensive force along the edge – Sammy Brown are all
currently trying to make NFL rosters. Hunter is playing for the Texans, McGraw
for the Arizona Cardinals, Saenz for the Buffalo Bills and Brown for the St.
Louis Rams. That last statement in itself should tell how much talent and
leadership the defense has lost.
Coach
Levine said during his introductory press conference (back in December),
“Defensively, we are going to be aggressive. You are going to see all 11
guys sprint to the ball carrier, see us stop the run, especially the
quarterback run. We've had a tremendous season with sacking the quarterback. I
believe in not only sacking the quarterback but also hitting the quarterback. I
want him to be looking at the rush and not his receivers.” Jamie Bryant was promoted from
linebackers coach to the defensive coordinators position after Brian Stewart
left for the same role with Maryland. On his transition from position coach to
coordinator, “I’ve done it before (at Vanderbilt for the 2009 and
10 seasons) so it’s no big deal to me.”
Coach
Levine preaches physical toughness and accountability so Bryant will be the
perfect coordinator in that aspect, as defensive end Zeke Riser said, “Coach Bryant is all business. He’s
about production and accountability. He has plenty of experience with a
no-nonsense attitude. We plan on bringing more pressure, especially on the QB,
than we ever have before. We needed a guy like Coach Bryant. We have plenty of
experience on the defensive side of the ball now and he is going to put us in
the position to make plenty of plays.” The defense improved nearly ten
points per game last season from the previous three seasons as they were 35th
nationally (in surrendering a tad over 22 points per game as compared to the
2010 season in which they allowed 32 points which ranked them 96th).
They allowed 380 total yards (which was also an improvement of over 50 yards
per game from the previous three years on average). While Stewart’s
aggressive game calling from his base 3-4 alignment will be sorely missed along
Cullen Boulevard, the aggressive approach will remain the same,
“I’ve always been a guy that we’re going to bring somebody
from somewhere most of the time (in terms of pressuring the QB), so we’re
going to put our foot on the gas and we’re not going to change that a
whole lot. How we do that may change a little bit,” said the old-school
style coach Bryant.
Scheme Change
Coach Levine on his philosophy behind the switch from a 3-4 to a
4-3 base defense, “I think that it’s critical that you win football
games not only with turnovers, but by controlling the line of scrimmage (both
offensively and defensively). I think you can do that better
with four down linemen.” Changing fronts is semantics to Coach Bryant,
“Coach Levine and I talked about it when he got the job and then hired me
as defensive coordinator. We really didn’t talk a lot about whether or
not we were going to play a 3-4 or a 4-3. I’ve always been a four man
front guy with three man principles mixed in as well.” Not a lot changes
are needed technique wise or as far as fundamentals are concerned as Bryant
mentions, “We were a gap control defense last year in a 3-4 and
that’s what we’re going to be this year.” With that,
let’s take a look at each position:
Defensive Line
A good coordinator adapts his defense to his personnel, and
that’s exactly what Coach Bryant has done with his defense. With the
depth along the defensive line (not to mention two of the best linebackers UH
fans have ever had the honor of watching graduating in the aforementioned McGraw
and Brown), the scheme change made sense. Returning at end from last season
include Kelvin King (Sr), Zeke Riser (Jr) and Lloyd Allen (Sr), and judging by their
weight loss, Bryant plans on using his ends as speed rushers (much in the same
way Brown was used from his outside linebacker spot). King and Riser are both
down to a listed weight of 255 pounds (Riser played at 280 last season versus Penn State) and Allen is down to 235 from his
listed 2011 weight of 245. King has ten starts (over the past two seasons) in
38 career games and along with Riser is the veteran of the crew. He also has
six career sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. King might be behind both Riser and
Allen as Coach Bryant stated that he came into camp “dinged up, but the
last week or so he’s starting to get his fundamentals down and he’s
getting better and better each day.” Riser started in only four games
last season as he was still recuperating from a knee injury that had him miss
the entire 2010 season. He started all 14 games as a true freshman in 09
however, amassing 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss among his season total of
36. He could be that strongside end who is stout against the run. Bryant is
high on Riser as he said he’s had a “really good camp.” Allen’s
3.5 sacks last season was second only to Brown’s 13.5 and could be the
speed rusher much like Brown was as he matures into a more well rounded end
just as Brown did last year. Both have similar body types and also went to the
same junior college (Mississippi Gulf Community College). Bryant on
Allen’s progress through camp thus far, “Lloyd’s gotten a
little bit better every day.”
Two wildcards could be converted linebackers in Jon Witten and Desmond Pulliam. Witten, a redshirt sophomore, didn’t play
much last season due to injuries along with the loaded depth at line backer but
really impressed the staff during spring ball before, again, injuring his knee.
Witten (who stands at 6-feet-2 has gained ten pounds and is up to 236 pounds)
said he’s 100% and ready to make his mark. Bryant on
his progress thus far, “Jon’s gotten a ton of reps so far and
we’re going to see where we’re at by the end of the week.”
Like Witten, Pulliam (a redshirt sophomore who was listed at tight end last
season) has a ton of potential as he has been compared to Denver Bronco Elvis
Dumervil on more than one occasion by Coach Levine, “I've been at places like
Louisville, and not that I'm comparing them at this point to Elvis Dumervil,
but Elvis was 5-11, 250 pounds and great quickness, so I think there's a place
for that and I'm excited about those two young men getting that opportunity.”
Levine also mentioned how both have long arms, great balance, a low center of
gravity and a great ‘quick twitch,’ meaning they are both able to
get off the line and into their opposing linemen very quickly. According to
Bryant, Pulliam “got banged up a little last week but he should be full
go by practice today (Monday) and he’s had a good camp besides being out
for those few days.”
I asked Coach Bryant about the weight loss of several of the
front four and if the staff was emphasizing speed over size along the line. Without
getting into specifics, he simply said, “yes.” Luckily for me (and
you), new defensive tackles Coach Ricky
Logo expounded further, “I think people get a misconception when
talking about speed over size. We want our kids to be bigger (physically), but
we certainly don’t want them to lose their mobility athletically up
front. We want the best of both worlds. There’s a fine line when talking
about speed over size.”
At tackle, look for Dominic Miller to continue to pick up from where he left off last season from his
nosetackle spot. The senior started 13 games last season and finished with 25
total tackles, including 2.5 for loss. While that may not sound like much,
stats are misleading for the inside interior linemen in a 3-4. Their main
responsibility was to tie up opposing offensive linemen, which allowed the
linebackers penetration which led to either major pressure on the QB would lead
to a running back tackle for loss. In this season’s 4-3 front, the two
inside tackles should produce better stats as their job (according to Coach Logo)
is to “use their mobility to create their own chaos up front while also
protecting their linebackers.” Basically, instead of tying up offensive
linemen, the inside tackles will also be asked to penetrate their gaps in order
to collapse the pocket, making the QB uncomfortable and causing him to rush his
throws. With this change, the staff decided to move Eric Braswell from end to a tackle spot next to Miller. As Logo
states, “we felt as a staff he could help us better inside. He also feels
more comfortable in a confined space as a tackle, rather than as an end with
open space.” Coach Bryant said that Braswell will be used at both end and
tackle, “depending on the situation and what we need out of our front
four at that particular time.” As a redshirt freshman last season,
Braswell led all Cougars linemen in tackles with 47 and earned a spot on the
Conference USA All-Freshman team. He’s listed at 268 pounds, up from 250
last season as an end. Backing up Miller and Braswell
will be Joey Mbu and Radermon Scypion. Mbu has lost over 30
pounds from last season and is now a tad under 310
pounds according to Logo, “his mobility has gotten better because of the
weight loss. He’s seeing the benefits from it (weight loss) as even
though he’s lighter, he’s still able to hold his gap.” As far
as Scypion is concerned, “I’ve put a lot of pressure on him and
he’s stepped up to the challenge as far as maturing and understanding
technique. I’m expecting good things from him this season,” said
the first year defensive tackles coach. Scypion has had an injury plagued
career but in moving him to tackle the staff hopes to take advantage of his
natural strength inside. Ameen Behbahani
also provides depth at the tackle spot and has played in 34 games over his
first three seasons with many being on special teams. One true freshman to keep
an eye on is Tomme Mark as he was
mentioned as one of the few freshmen who have really made an impression,
“Tomme’s had a pretty good camp,” according to Bryant. With
all of the depth along the line (unless injuries occur), I would look for the
Lufkin native to redshirt in order to mature mentally and physically (as
he’s “only” listed at 6-3, 265 pounds).
Linebackers
The linebackers were the heart of
last season’s defense as Brown had season totals of 13.5 sacks and 30
tackles for loss (which led the nation). McGraw once again led the defense in total
tackles with 141 (and a career total of 510, which is tops in Coogs history). Phillip Steward (whom was voted as a
team captain for the 2012 squad by fellow team mates) intercepted six passes
last season from his Strong side (or Sam) line backer spot, leading all backers
in NCAA play. Derrick Mathews was a freshman sensation as he amassed 106
total tackles on the season from the Weak side spot (which was second on the
team to McGraw), including 10 tackles for loss while
also forcing two fumbles. Manning the middle at the Mike spot will be Everett Daniels. The senior from
Trinity Valley CC totaled 38 tackles last season in a limited role and
according to Bryant is “having a great camp.” Backing them up will
be Austin Wilson, George Bamfo and Damian Payne (who is switching from wide receiver after playing
defensive back last season). Of the three, Bamfo could make a push for playing
time as he was third on the team with three sacks last season. When asked about
transfer Trevon Randle and whether
or not he would be ruled eligible to play this season, Bryant laughed and said,
“You guys will probably know before we do.”
One thing is certain about this season’s linebacking
core; although they lost their two most productive players and team leaders, the
unit will still be the nerve center of the defense again, as the middle backer relays
the calls to the rest of the defense. According to Coach Logo - how they (the
linebackers) read their pre-snap keys will determine how the defense plays
certain offensive formations. Daniels as the mike line backer will be
responsible for relaying all of the defensive calls from the sideline to his
team mates.
Secondary
This could possibly be the most talented secondary the
Cougars have had in recent years, and are led by ‘shut down’ corner
(and preseason Thorpe Award watch list nominee) D.J. Hayden. After transferring to UH from Navarro Junior College,
he managed to make play after play earning him the Conference USA Defensive
Newcomer of the Year in 2011. On the season Hayden had 66 total tackles
(including 8 tackles for loss), forced five fumbles (while recovering two of
them), one sack, defended 11 passes and intercepted two of them. His football
IQ is off the charts as he’s quickly able to read a play, defeat his
blocker and make the tackle all within seconds. His play reading and run
stopping ability will allow Bryant to use him very aggressively this season. At
6 feet, 190 pounds Hayden has all the intangibles to become an NFL draft pick
with another quality season. The scary part is that the best is yet to come,
according to Bryant, “I think D.J. can improve a lot. He knows that and I
know that. He’s had to change a lot of things since he got here but
he’s worked extremely hard and he’s a lot better player today than
he was even two weeks ago.”
At the other corner spot will be Zach McMillian. Backing him up will be Thomas Bates. How McMillian and Bates improve from last year could
determine how successful the defense is, as they will be picked on often as no
offensive coordinator will take a chance on throwing to Hayden’s side of
the field too often. McMillian started 13 games last season and was second on
the team with seven passes broken up. Bates played in all 14 games and started
three, and was tied for second on the team with three interceptions. Look for
teams to continue picking on both despite any technique improvement, as
it’s simply physics. A lack of height can often hurt a corner (especially
concerning jump balls or fades) and both are listed at only 5-10. If neither
McMillian nor Bates can get the job done one freshman to watch will be Trevon Stewart. While only being listed
at 5-foot-8 himself, the true freshman has been making plays all over the field
during summer camp as it has been reported that he has intercepted at least one
pass in 11 of the first 12 practices. Even Bryant, who usually keeps his
praising of players close to the vest (especially freshman) said, “For a
young guy he’s had a tremendous camp so far. I would venture to say that
people will see him on the field this year.” Stewart has what the young
folks call “swag” but it seems to be helping him on the field as he
told me before summer camp began, “I think if I come with the right
mindset and work hard on the field and in the film room then I should get
playing time. I plan on coming in and playing big. I know it's not going to be
handed to me, I have to work for it.”
In
Bryant’s scheme, both the strong and free safety positions are
interchangeable. Chris Cermin will
begin the season as strong safety while Kent
Brooks will play at free safety.
Cermin, a former walk-on, really impressed the staff over spring ball and
hasn’t let go of the job yet, which was surprising considering he only
played in 13 games over his first three seasons. Cermin is a hard hitter who
has a knack for being around the ball. Brooks finished last season with 75
tackles (good for fifth behind the four mentioned starting linebackers).
He’s known as a ferocious hitter and should be hitting his stride as he
enters his junior year after playing in 24 games (with 10 starts) over the
previous two seasons. Backing them up will be Earl Foster (at strong) and Chevy Bennett (at free) with Jeffrey Lewis
and Colton Valencia also
contributing. All (except for Foster) saw plenty of game action last season.
Look for the secondary to be as aggressive (if not more so) than last season
under corner backs coach Zac Spavital,
who is beginning his fifth season. Last season the Cougars
ranked third nationally with 21 interceptions. Second year graduate assistant
and former defensive captain, Matt Nicholson will usually coach the safeties when the team breaks into
individual position drills during practice.
The depth on all three levels of the defense is there and
the potential for this defense to be great is present. As Coach Logo told me in
summing up this defense, “As far as defensive goals, we want to create a
minimum of three turnovers (they were fourth last season in turnover margin)
and sack the QB at least three times per game. We want to be aggressive and
make our presence felt by getting to the QB. It’s a complicated defense
to play in but once the kids start understanding the scheme, they’ll see
how successful we can be.”