Head coach: Tim James (64-48 in 10 years here; 88-94 overall)
Returning starters: 5 offensive; 5 defensive
Key players: RB-CB Marquan Acklin (5-10, 165); WR-S Keanu Johnson (6-2, 175); QB-CB Cameron Sanders (5-9, 170); OL-DL Dennis Fortson (5-10, 220); WR-RB-LB Jalen Boykin (6-0, 220); Chris Diaz OL-LB (5-8, 220); K Caleb Serrato (5-11, 160).
Team strengths: Boykin has earned his teammates’ trust and is a leader on both sides of the ball. Johnson and Fortson also bring a toughness to the defensive side, which could be infectious in a new 4-3 front seven under first-year coordinator Reggie Upshaw Sr.
“We have really emphasized teamwork lately,” said Boykin, who has led the team in tackles the past three seasons and had 115 in 2018. “None of us are selfish. We work together well and want to prove the doubters wrong and teach our underclassmen how to be successful.”