DEFENSIVE LINE
UTC’s defensive success in recent seasons has been predicated on the strength of the guys up front. That’s not expected to change despite the loss of two first-team All-Southern Conference linemen, Keionta Davis and Vantrel McMillan. Isaiah Mack, Derek Mahaffey and Taylor Reynolds were dominant for portions of the spring and that carried over into portions of the preseason camp. D.J. Prather also has come on strong heading into his senior season, particularly in the leadership department. The unit spoke of “domination” at different times during the preseason, and that’ll be necessary for the defense to reach its full potential.
LINEBACKERS
As the coaches work the players in both the 3-4 and 4-3 formations, they have been trying to determine the best guys for the linebacker positions – the greenest of the defense. Senior preseason third-team All-American Dale Warren was facing a NCAA-mandated suspension as of press time, and Tae Davis and Tavon Lawson are converted safeties. Khayyan Edwards, Hawk Schrider and Joshua Phillips were defensive ends last year, although Schrider played the position at Richmond. T.J. Jenkins and Michael Bean will play, as will transfers Matthew Draper and Marshall Cooper, but there’s a stark difference in the defenses of the previous coaching staff and this one, so there’s been a learning curve.
SECONDARY