[BJWilliams]

After looking at all the players on offense who will be going into spring football next year on offense, let's take a look at the side of the ball with probably the most question marks, the defense

Defensive Line

Dylan Bowman 12 Tackles (3 solo) 2.5 TFL
Roger Bryan 3 Tackles (1 solo) 1.0 TFL 1.0 Sacks
Dominique Davis 6 Tackles (4 solo) 1.0 TFL
Erwin Dessources 11 Tackles (6 solo) 6.0 TFL 2.0 Sacks
JaRon Greene 12 tackles (4 solo) 2.5 TFL
Gerald Holt 10 Tackles (5 solo) 1.0 TFL 1.0 Sacks
Nolan Spicer 2 Tackles (1 solo) 1.0 TFL 1.0 Sacks
Chima Uzowihe 43 Tackles (20 Solo) 9.0 TFL 7.0 Sacks 2013 Big South All-Conference First Team
Spencer Cook No stats (2013 redshirt)
Leo Hunt No stats (2013 redshirt)
Marc Wilson No stats (2013 redshirt)

This year was a breakout year for Uzowihe, true sophomore from Sly's neck of the woods, tripling his stats in every category and earning first team all conference honors. He will be the leader on what will otherwise be a very young unit along with Bowman, former walk-on Davis and Spicer on what will otherwise be a very young unit.

Linebackers

Dallas Griffiths 2 Tackles (2 solo)
Andrew Jauch 19 Tackles (7 solo) 1.5 TFL
Dylan Lewellyn 20 Tackles (10 solo) 3.0 TFL 1.0 Sacks
Jimmy O'Grady 30 Tackles (15 solo) 1.0 TFL 1.0 Sacks 1 INT
Bobby Partilla 17 Tackles (8 solo) 3.0 TFL
Zach Schreiber 1 Tackle (0 solo) 0.5 TFL
Nick Sigmon 62 Tackles (30 solo) 10.5 TFL 1 INT 2013 Big South All-Conference First Team
Dexter Robbins 8 tackles (4 solo)

"Big Stack" continued to build on his legend, leading the team in tackles and TFL by a wide margin among linebackers, and added his third all-conference honor (second consecutive year on the first team), O'Grady and Lewellyn both saw great improvement as well, and every returning linebacker for 2014 saw action in 2013.

Defensive Backs

Ray Ferguson 2 Tackles (2 solo)
Jacob Hagen 61 Tackles (34 solo) 2.5 TFL 6 INT 2013 Big South All-Conference First Team
Miles Hunter 10 Tackles (9 solo)
Nick Newman 15 Tackles (10 solo)
Chris Robinson 9 Tackles (5 solo) 1.0 TFL
Gary Sampson 17 Tackles (8 solo) 1 INT
Kenny Scott 45 Tackles (26 solo) 0.5 TFL 3 INT
Wesley Scott 33 Tackles (20 solo) 0.5 TFL
Charles Williams 3 Tackles (0 solo)
Joshua Yoda No stats
Justin Guillory No stats (2013 redshirt)
Lorenzo Hoff No stats
Tyrin Holloway No stats (2013 redshirt)

A ton is lost with the graduation of Aikens, Fogg, Sorie Bayoh and Aaron Dial, but there are players who are more than ready to fill the void. Jacob Hagen had a massive breakout campaign, posting career highs in tackles, solo tackles, and interceptions (finishing #7 in the nation in that category) on the way to first team honors. Kenny Scott came on as a third corner behind Fogg and AIkens, and freshman Wesley Scott showed he was ready to step under the white hot Saturday night lights as well.

[jcmanson]

Here's our preview of the defense & special teams - http://www.libertyflamesnation.com/2014 ... ial-teams/

[BJWilliams]

2014 saw a lot of breakout performers on this side of the ball, especially the front 7. The question is gonna come with who is gonna be the other safety alongside wesley Scott

[jcmanson]

2014 saw a lot of breakout performers on this side of the ball, especially the front 7. The question is gonna come with who is gonna be the other safety alongside wesley Scott

You mean other corner? That will be Kenny Scott. Safeties will be Hagen and Gary Sampson.

[BJWilliams]

Thanks for that manson...Scott and Scott sounds like a name for a law firm...we have quite a mix of youth and experience in the defensive backfield so they'll certainly be tested right from the word go next season

[jcmanson]

4 months ago I would have been very worried about our secondary, but not now. Sure, Scott & Scott might not be the caliber of Fogg & Aikens, but they are very capable Big South corners, probably all-conference level. Throw in Hagen with Newman and Sampson and we'll be fine.

[Chippy]

4 months ago I would have been very worried about our secondary, but not now. Sure, Scott & Scott might not be the caliber of Fogg & Aikens, but they are very capable Big South corners, probably all-conference level. Throw in Hagen with Newman and Sampson and we'll be fine.

I agree. Barring injuries the projected staring lineup on the defense side looks strong.

[Chris Lang]

The big question will be on the defensive line. I think Cory Freeman was a little underrated by the end of his tenure at LU. He and Jibrille Fewell will be missed. Dylan Bowman is a nice player who struggles to stay healthy. JaRon Greene's emergence was a positive this year. The starting four should be strong, but the depth is a question mark.

[olldflame]

Gill has made a point of saying that at LEAST 2 of the freshman D linemen we redshirted were good enough to have helped us this year but they decided it was better in the long run to keep that year of eligibility for the future.

[Chris Lang]

Marc Wilson and Leo Hunt would probably be the two you're talking about.

[Purple Haize]

I like who we have coming in on the line. It's why I feel he's done the best job of any LUFB coach in laying a solid foundation

[flameshaw]

PH, the old adage about games being won in the trenches has always been sound. Looking forward to seeing what we can do next year. I believe we will have a good offense. Woodrum will have another year of experience under his belt, the RB's and WR's are proven and believe that the OL will be solid again.

[BJWilliams]

We have just south of 2 months til signing day. I would think that a couple tackles and another end would be integral to this class to fill some depth, especially at the tackle spot