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Basically... Is it possible the Aztecs can switch to a 3-4? With one of the best defensive back sevens in America and four tremendous linebackers, it'll be a total shock if this isn't one of the nation's top ten statistical teams in total defense. The problem is on the line where there's no one on the end that'll scare anyone (at least not yet), and there's a drop-off in talent at tackle after the starters.
Star of the defense: Senior LB Kirk Morrison
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior DE Blake Lobel
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore DT Jonathan Bailes
Best pro prospect: Morrison
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Morrison, 2) LB Matt McCoy, 3) CB Jacob Elimimian
Strength of the defense: The whole back seven
Weakness of the defense: Defensive end
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Blake Lobel, Sr. - Lobel moves from tackle to a more natural position on the end. He has excellent quickness and is very physical with a non-stop motor.
- Defensive tackle Jonathan Bailes, Soph. - Bailes provides a huge run-stuffing body on the inside. The 325 pounder became a force as a true freshman becoming the anchor for the rest of the
line occupying two blockers at a time. His stats will never be amazing, but he's not needed just for tackles.
- Defensive tackle Freddie McCutcheon, Soph. - McCutcheon fought through a banged up knee in his freshman season and then missed all of last year, but he's back and ready to be a rock in the
middle. He's going to have to be the one cleaning up the mess with Bailes taking on the heavy lifting, but it'll take a little while missing the first four games of the year thanks to academic
problems.
- Defensive end Robert Miller, Jr. - Miller is a good-sized athlete who's been waiting for his turn to shine. He made 18 tackles and three tackles in a reserve role, but he wasn't able to come
up with any sacks.
Top Backups
- DE Nicholas Osborn, RFr. - He was just this close to playing as a true freshman, and now he and fellow redshirt freshman Antwan Applewhite will have to provide the depth at
end.
- DT Derrick Durbin. Sr. - With good size and five games of experience, the coaching staff is expecting big things out of Durbin.
- DT Va'ati Maka, Jr. - Make was a big recruit for the Aztecs last year, but he's not all that big in size at 260 pounds and hasn't come up with much on the field yet. He's an experienced
backup who made five tackles last year.
The Skinny: This could turn out to be a good line, but it's going to take a little while. There aren't any sure-thing pass rushers and there's no experienced depth on the ends. Bailes
could quickly become the best lineman in the Mountain West.
Player to keep an eye on: Jonathan Bailes ... Defensive Line Rating: 4
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Matt McCoy, Jr. - McCoy bulked up from 210 to 225 pounds and it should help him be even more of a force this season. He led the Aztecs with 125 tackles to go along with four sacks. He's a top
playmaker who gets a bit overshadowed by Kirk Morrison, but he's a great player in his own right with speed and a nose for the ball.
- Kirk Morrison, Sr. - Player Profile ... Morrison is one of the best linebackers in America and an All-America talent. The leader of the stingy defense has sideline-to-sideline range and an
uncanny knack for always making every play needed. He was the best player on the best defense in the Mountain West last season.
- Stephen Larsen, Sr. - Larsen will combine with Heath Farwell to man the third linebacker spot giving the Aztecs experience and production. He's a smart player with a 3.2 GPA and is the team's
best linebacker in pass coverage.
Top Backups
- Heath Farwell, Sr. - With 52 tackles last year, he has done more than enough to earn a starting spot, but Farwell will once again combine with Larsen on the strong side. He's a better run
stuffer than Larsen, but not by much.
- Freddie Keiaho, Jr. -A sprained knee prevented Keiaho from doing much of anything last year, but he's expected to be a top backup behind Morrison in the middle with his tremendous set of
wheels.
The Skinny: The Aztecs are loaded with one of the most productive linebacking corps in America thanks to four players that can flat out stick. All of them run like defensive backs. Kirk
Morrison is the superstar of the show, but Matt McCoy isn't all that far behind.
Linebacker Rating: 10
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Jacob Elimimian, Jr. - One of the best covercorners in the Mountain West, Elimimian is a terror when the ball is in the air breaking up 18 passes and picking off four. He's no
wimpy corner able to provide excellent run support.
- Strong safety Josh Dean, Sr. - Dean has had issues with various injuries over the course of his career before getting hit by a bout of mono last year, but he's a big hitter and a force when
he can stay on the field. If he plays a full season, the 210-pounder will be in line for all-star honors with his tackling ability and speed.
- Free safety Marviel Underwood, Sr. - This is a contract year for Underwood as he has good size, excellent tackling ability and speed, speed and more speed. If he has a big season, the NFL
scouts are going to gobble him up. He made 68 tackles, good for third on the team, and picked off two passes last year.
- Cornerback Hubert Caliste, Sr. - Caliste will get the first shot at replacing Jeff Shoate, but he's going to have to fight to keep the starting gig. After mostly playing safety and on special
teams, he'll bring his good size and range to corner.
Top Backups
- Defensive back Marcus Demps, Jr. - The coaching staff is trying to find a spot to put him able to play either safety of corner. The team's best all-around athlete, Demps has tremendous skills
and always makes plays when he's on the field. He missed a little bit of time with an ankle injury, but he's fine now.
- Cornerback Terrell Maze, Soph. - The odd man out in the cornerback mix, Maze will have to fight hard to get playing time. Even so, he has the raw skills to become a solid pass defender, and
he'll get the practice time to be groomed for the future.
- Safety Reggie Grigsby, Jr. - He's not huge, but he can hit like a linebacker. He'll get plenty of playing time behind Underwood and as the third safety in the mix
The Skinny: Talk about your improvements, the Aztecs shaved roughly 90 yards per game and gave up 19 fewer touchdowns than they did in 2002 finishing fourth in the nation without the
benefit of much of a pass rush. They're going to be even better in 2004 with Marcus Demps providing the depth needed in case one of the stars goes down (if he doesn't take over one of the
staring spots.) The safeties will be tremendous if Josh Dean can stay healthy.
Player to keep and eye on: Marcus Demps ... Secondary Rating: 10
Special Teams
- Placekicker/Punter Michael Hughes, RFr. - The unknown commodity, Hughes will get the first shot to take over for J.C. Mejia who hit 18 of 29 field goals last year. The harder job will be to replace Seth Santoro's punting after he averaged 41.6 yards per kick putting 20 inside the 20, but Hughes should be a strong punter if he's anywhere near as strong as he was in high school.
The Skinny: The kick return game could use a serious shot in the arm, but this isn't a bad team at returning punts. The real test will be to find kicking consistency. The Aztecs will
sink or swim with Hughes.
Secondary Rating: 3
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