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The season is coming fast and while many are expecting improvement from the Jacks based on a full season with Sumner behind center, a key will be the development of the defense. The Jacks D was relatively young last year and with many returning starters this year, we should see improvement.
What we lost:
Mike Lien, LB - Nearly 200 tackles as a starter the last two years, leading team last year and 2nd on team junior year.
Kirk Kool, LB - Two year starter who registered 141 tackles and 13 tackles for loss during those years.
Jake Steffan, DL - Started 29 games as undersized lineman. Had 3 sacks as RS Freshman and added 3 more in final 3 seasons. Could be huge force in some games and absent in other games.
DBs - Anthony Wise, Darryl Jackson, and Rodkem Matthews. Group will not go down as one of the elite DB classes. Had talent, but limited production.
Others - Zach Bowers, Eric Wood, and Erich Fellers combined for 5.6 tackles for game from the DL/LB positions.
What's back:
Andy Mink, DL - Led team in sacks, tackles for loss, and tied for lead with forced fumbles. Was 2nd on team with 75 tackles. STUD!!!
Ross Shafrath, LB - Complete player who was 4th on team in tackles, and added 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions.
Winston Wright, DB - Top DB from last year as sophomore. Led team with 3 interceptions, 7 passes broken up, and 10 more defended while leading the secondary and 5th on team in tackles.
Other DL - UNO transfer David Hettiger and Doug Peete were 9th and 12th respectively on team in tackles. Chase Douglas had a sophomore slump after showing serious promise as RS freshman. Need his size on interior.
Other LB - RC Kilgore and Chris Tracy should step in to starting roles after averaging 5.6 tackles/game last year. Kyle VanVoorst has been solid on special teams the last 2 years, adding 13 tackles last year.
Other DB - Bo Helm and Skylar Luxa were top 10 contributors last year in tackles averaging 9.3 tackles/game between them. David Godley also returns for his senior campaign.
Newcomers:
DB - JeRyan Butler, Jimmie Forsythe, and Jake Gentile are potentially the best ever recruiting class of DBs from 2011. Godley was part of that class as a JC transfer. This group should help make the DB group deep and talented.
LB - TJ Lally may be the most promising of the young linebackers after redshirting last year. He was all-state and one of the elite Chicago area players. Last year's class was deep and some may need to contribute.
DL - Deep group of 8 sophomores and juniors will provide depth that was tested last year. Freshman class is talented but will likely redshirt.
Noteworthy:
Jack Sherlock, a highly touted LB recruit from Chicago has moved to DL this year. Interesting since there is depth on the DL and somewhat thin at LB with the recent transfer of Brandon Mohr.
So what are your thoughts?
What we lost:
Mike Lien, LB - Nearly 200 tackles as a starter the last two years, leading team last year and 2nd on team junior year.
Kirk Kool, LB - Two year starter who registered 141 tackles and 13 tackles for loss during those years.
Jake Steffan, DL - Started 29 games as undersized lineman. Had 3 sacks as RS Freshman and added 3 more in final 3 seasons. Could be huge force in some games and absent in other games.
DBs - Anthony Wise, Darryl Jackson, and Rodkem Matthews. Group will not go down as one of the elite DB classes. Had talent, but limited production.
Others - Zach Bowers, Eric Wood, and Erich Fellers combined for 5.6 tackles for game from the DL/LB positions.
What's back:
Andy Mink, DL - Led team in sacks, tackles for loss, and tied for lead with forced fumbles. Was 2nd on team with 75 tackles. STUD!!!
Ross Shafrath, LB - Complete player who was 4th on team in tackles, and added 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions.
Winston Wright, DB - Top DB from last year as sophomore. Led team with 3 interceptions, 7 passes broken up, and 10 more defended while leading the secondary and 5th on team in tackles.
Other DL - UNO transfer David Hettiger and Doug Peete were 9th and 12th respectively on team in tackles. Chase Douglas had a sophomore slump after showing serious promise as RS freshman. Need his size on interior.
Other LB - RC Kilgore and Chris Tracy should step in to starting roles after averaging 5.6 tackles/game last year. Kyle VanVoorst has been solid on special teams the last 2 years, adding 13 tackles last year.
Other DB - Bo Helm and Skylar Luxa were top 10 contributors last year in tackles averaging 9.3 tackles/game between them. David Godley also returns for his senior campaign.
Newcomers:
DB - JeRyan Butler, Jimmie Forsythe, and Jake Gentile are potentially the best ever recruiting class of DBs from 2011. Godley was part of that class as a JC transfer. This group should help make the DB group deep and talented.
LB - TJ Lally may be the most promising of the young linebackers after redshirting last year. He was all-state and one of the elite Chicago area players. Last year's class was deep and some may need to contribute.
DL - Deep group of 8 sophomores and juniors will provide depth that was tested last year. Freshman class is talented but will likely redshirt.
Noteworthy:
Jack Sherlock, a highly touted LB recruit from Chicago has moved to DL this year. Interesting since there is depth on the DL and somewhat thin at LB with the recent transfer of Brandon Mohr.
So what are your thoughts?
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