Fall 2021 Defensive Preview

 

                                                                              (Photo Credit Abiaza Kaneak)

The Jackrabbit defense has been trending up for a few years but the spring season saw them take it to an entirely new level.  The Jacks were sound at all three levels of defense and held opponents to just 15 points per game.  They were opportunistic and forced 12 interceptions and recovered 5 fumbles.  They held opponents to just 3.2 ypc and 115.7 ypg on the ground and 172.2 ypg through the air.  A great stat for the defense was holding opponents to a third down conversion rate of just 37% .  This was actually up from 34% in 2019 but is still very good.  They also forced 12 interceptions!  The defense returns all starters outside of Preston Tetzlaff.  It is unknown how the intangibles and the leadership he brought to the unit will be missed.  However, the Jacks have very capable players ready to step in.

Defensive Line

It all starts up front for the Jackrabbits where the #ChainGang has grown leaps and bounds over the past 4 years.  Coach Stig has shared that the coaching staff decided to make this an area of emphasis in recruiting 5 years ago and that is now paying off as the Jacks are talented and deep on both the interior and along the edges.  This group didn't accumulate as many sacks as they had in 2019  (23 to 37 sacks) but it felt like opposing offenses adjusted to more quick hitting plays and there just weren't as many opportunities.  

Defensive Tackles

• #91 Xavier Ward (6-2, 275) has been a mainstay for the Jackrabbits since getting to campus besides missing the first four games of the spring season.  He is a seasoned vet that does all the little things right.  He finished the spring season with 9 stops, 2 TFL, and 1 sack.  Again, X will never stuff the stat book but he does allow the guys at the next level to stay clean and make plays.
• #99 Caleb Sanders (6-1, 270) continued his ascent and became one of the best defensive tackles in the MVFC.  He finished with 26 tackles, 7 TFL, and led the team with 5 sacks.  Beyond the statistics he is just plain disruptive resetting the line of scrimmage which causes running backs to bounce from their intended hole frequently.
• #55 Thomas Stacker (6-4, 275) had a bit of breakout year. He finished with 10 tackles and one sack but it seemed like he was consistently disrupting the QB when he was in there.  Stacker plays with a lot of emotion and really goes all out when he is on the field.
• #69 Krockett Krolikowski (6-2, 285) appears fully recovered and was able to make an impact in the spring finishing with 10 tackles.  He did not have any sacks this spring and that deprived the fans of one of the best celebrations in football.  Here's hoping that changes this fall!
• #98 Ryan Van Marel (6-4, 280), #52 Jarod DePriest (6-5, 270) and #88 Brandon Lane (6-2, 290) are all chomping at the bit for increased playing time.  It is interesting that these three were arguably the most highly coveted recruits in each of their respective recruiting classes.  VanMarel and DePriest made an impact in the playoff run and showed what they can do.  Van Marel finished with 6 tackles, a QBH, and a blocked kick while DePriest had 2 sacks, including a sick spin move in the playoffs.  The future is bright for these two.  Lane on the other hand has not seen the field yet.  He spent his true freshman year getting stronger and improving technique.  The reports out of camp have been very promising and it sounds like he is poised to contribute this fall.       
  

Defensive Ends

• It felt like #97 Reece Winkelman (6-4, 245) had a quiet season until the playoffs; that might be true and it might just be my perception.  In the playoffs though, he was a force!  On the year he finished with 25 tackles, 4.5 TFL, and 3 sacks.  He had 2 additional QBH and 2 blocked kicks.  Reece is equally strong against the run and pass and assumed the leadership role following Ryan Earith's graduation.  I'm looking for another big year out of Reece! 
• #48 Quinton Hicks (6-3, 245) stepped into a more prominent role in the spring and remained disruptive.  He finished with 18 tackles, 4 TFL, and 2 sacks.  This was down from the 5 sacks he had in 2019 when he was a featured pass rusher.  Q was just a half second late on having a number of other sacks in the spring.  I think he'll finish a few more of those plays this fall and up his total sacks.
• #22 Tolu Ogunrinde (6-1, 265) was a menace this spring finishing with 18 tackles, 7.5 for lost, and 3 sacks.  Tolu is one of the most powerful players on this team.  He also has ridiculous closing speed that allows him to track down ball carriers downfield and quarterbacks who are trying to buy extra time.  I love the sub-package on passing downs when Tolu shifts to the interior and creates mayhem on an overmatched guard.  
• #94 Cade Terveer (6-3, 250) and #53 Caden Johnson (6-3, 235) are two talented players that really bring the effort.  Terveer and Johnson make the most of their limited snaps finishing with 8 tackles and 5 tackles a piece with Terveer adding an INT and Johnson a sack.  At this point they are excellent depth pieces that will contribute again this fall.   
• #90 Randy Keumogne (6-3, 230) saw more reps as the spring season went along and ended up playing in six games.  He served primarily in pass rush situations where his quick first step created headaches for opposing tackles.  He is still raw and must develop some counter moves but I look for him to provide some increased pressure this year. 

Linebackers

The Jackrabbits had lots of questions at linebacker entering the spring.  They had Logan Backhaus who has been a starter for multiple season but the other players were role players.  Gone were Christian Rozeboom, Seven Wilson, and Levi Brown.  However, the group responded as they always do to have a very good and productive spring season.

• #12 Logan Backhaus (6-4, 210) is one of the best linebackers in the FCS.  He was recognized on four different All-American teams following the spring and has shown up on most credible Pre-Season All-American teams this summer.   He again stuffed the stat sheet with 72 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 2 sacks,  1 INT, 2 PD, and 1 FF.  Just an outstanding season!
• #32 Adam Bock (6-1, 215) embraced the challenge of replacing Christian Rozeboom and did a really good job of it.  Bock's speed was noticeable in game one against UNI.  He ended the year as the leading tackler with 74 tackles, 5.5 TFL, and 2 sacks.  Coach Rogers has said that Bock is being pushed by some of the other second year players for his spot.  If he maintains his starting role I look for Bock to have another huge season.
• #2 Isaiah Stalbird (6-1, 200) was in the rotation at safety last spring after transferring in from Nebraska.  He had a really strong season and it felt like he was always around the ball finishing 6th on the team with 30 tackles, 3 TFL, 4 PBU, and 4 PD along with a blocked kick. He's really fast and just has a nose for the ball.  
• #29 Graham Spalding (6-1, 205) had a nice freshman campaign.  Maybe "nice" is the wrong word because Graham really took opposing skill players to the wood shed at times and made some ferocious hits. He finished with 24 tackles, a TFL, and a FF as a part time starter and rotational player.   
• #30 Payton Shafer (6-0, 210) became one of my favorite special teams player this spring.  He showed a knack for making tackles on kick coverage that often pinned opponents deep in their own territory.  He also had his own share of big hits and finished with 12 tackles, a TFL, PD, and PBU.   We'll see if he can follow in the footsteps of Dalton Cox and Preston Tetzlaff and turn excellent special teams play into excellent defense.
•  #43 Adam Kusler (6-3, 215) and #16 Caleb Francl (6-0, 185) are second year players who will contribute this fall. Both had strong first seasons on campus and will use the time they spent learning the defense to play fast and physical once they see the field.  This year they will likely make their biggest mark on special teams.  
• #11 Matt Barnett (6-3, 200), #33 Thomas Motzko (6-0, 230), and #57 Kinser Madison (6-2, 210) will likely be counted on to provide excellent special teams play this fall.  All three have done it before and I hope that they excel in this role this fall.  

Secondary

Cornerbacks

This group grew a lot throughout the spring season.  Who would play opposite Don Gardner was a big time question after the departures of Marshon Harris, Diamond Evans, and Jordan Gandy.  However, Malik Lofton and DyShawn Gales improved throughout the season and will be counted on for continued growth this fall as Coach Rob Erickson is now in his second season with this group.

• #21 Don Gardner (6-1, 180) became a star in the spring. He appeared on four different All-American teams and was first team All-MVFC.  He was up for any challenged and covered big/physical and small/quick receivers throughout the season.  Maybe the thing that garnered him the most attention was his physicality defending the run.  Don finished with 44 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 7 PBU, and 8 passes defended.  I'm excited to see what he does this fall!  
• #1 Malik Lofton (5-10, 190) battled through some nagging injuries during the spring season to finish with 16 tackles, an INT, 1 PBU, and 2 PD. Malik was a little to handsy at times but Coach Erickson shared in the preview video that he is cleaning up his technique to avoid having to grab as much.
• #5 Dyshawn Gales (5-11, 190) continued to improve throughout the spring season even as he battled injuries.  Early in the year he struggled with penalties but that problem seemed to go away as he became more confident in his technique.  He finished with 17 stops, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBU,  and 3 PD.  
• #7 Dalys Beanum (6-1, 185) and #26 Steven Arrell (6-2, 190) were two true freshmen who saw the field during the spring.  Both are lanky and ultra athletic and will be counted on to provide quality depth this season.  The Jacks were able to survive utilizing just their top 3 corners for much of the season but they can't count on staying that healthy again.

Safeties

The wolfpack is back after a very successful spring.  Coach Bergstrom has a really deep and talented group at his disposal.  They rotate a lot and that leaves plenty of opportunities for people to make plays.  At times during the spring season the Jacks utilized 3 and even 4 safeties at once.  We'll see if that continues this fall or if they will utilize Stallbird in that highbred role.        

•  #3 Josh Manchigiah (6-0, 205), aka The Barracuda, has become a fan favorite.  Rightfully so, as he led the team with 4 interceptions in the spring and had an additional PBU, and 5 passes defended to go along with 27 tackles.  Manchigiah is so dang smart and has grown into a complete safety over the past few years.  
• #6 Michael Griffin II (6-0, 215) was named to the Bruce Feldman "Freaks List" at the begining of August.  This isn't surprising as Griff has a tremendous combination of strength and athleticism.  In the spring he had 47 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 2 INT, 2 PBU, and 4 PD.  Griff also was in perfect position to make a few more interceptions but was unable to corral the ball.  If he can make just a few more plays he could be looking at an All-American type season.
• #35 Chase Norblade (6-1, 185) knows how to bring the wood to opposing wide receivers.  He finished with 21 tackles, 15 of the solo variety.  Chase played as a true freshman so he is actually looking at his 3rd year of playing significant snaps and he is still just listed as a Sophomore.  The sky is the limit for Chase.
• #25 Cale Reeder (6-0, 180) is a player that I have my eye on.  He began to see the field more and more as the season went along and finished with 7 tackles, a PBU, and PD.  He just seems to have a really good feel for the game and is in the right place more often than not.  With Stalbird's move to linebacker this should free up a few more snaps for Reeder. 
• #8 Daeton Mcgaughy (6-0, 210) contributed on special teams as a true freshman.  It was weird to see a thicker built #15 run out to cover kickoffs but now that Daeton has switched numbers that shouldn't be a problem.  Daeton will be counted on to be a leader on the special teams units and will need to be ready to rotate in at safety.
• The freshman group of #14 Colby Huerter (6-1, 195), #19 Jaden Crockett (6-0, 170), #23 Matthew Durrance (6-2, 195), #34 Ryan Swoger (6-2, 175), and #37 Tucker Large (5-11, 170) are a special group who are hungry and learning.  I imagine some of these guys will see the field at times this fall.  

Can the Jacks replicate their defensive dominance from the spring?  Let's hope so!  All the pieces are there and there is depth across the board.  I would like to see an increase in the total number of sacks but as long as the pressure stays consistent and it keeps opposing QBs antsy than that is good enough for me.

Go Jacks!

Matt