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TUESDAY,AUGUST 27,2013
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
READY FOR KICKOFF
DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Impressive depth for 2013 Jayhawk football
MAX GOODWIN
mgoodwin@kansan.com
The most noticeable difference this season on the defensive depth chart is the depth at nearly every position. The defensive coaches are all fired up about the improvements made in personnel all over the field.
There is competition at nearly every position and some newcomers are already expected to start.
The Jayhawks moved to a nickel base defense, adding a fifth defensive back on the field to give them a better matchup against the passing attacks of the Big 12. Coach Charlie Weis said that he plans on having the scout team offense rotate with each play to simulate the quick snaps some Big 12 teams use.
Defensive line:
This appears to be a defensive line that will get after the quarterback on the pass rush. Between the three starters, Marquel Combs, Keon Stowers and Keba Agostinho, there is size, speed and strength.
size, speed and strength. Combs is the most important piece to the unit. Teammates say he has the skills to rush the quarterback, but is even better at filling the gaps against the run. Combs said he's looking forward to coming off the edge and being a pass rusher in a different role than he had at junior college.
Hawes will play in the middle at nose tackle and be more of an outspoken leader in his second year at Kansas. And Agostinho is said to be the fastest player the Jayhawks have on the defensive line.
Jordan Taval and Andrew Bolton are both likely to see regular playing time and could compete for a starting position at some point during the season as well. Bolton is a junior college transfer with size and athleticism but comes in after sitting most of last season due to a knee injury.
Secondary:
The Jayhawks enter the 2013 season with an entirely new starting secondary. Bradley McDougald, the defensive leader of last year's team is graduated, and Cassius Sendish has stepped into the role.
Sendish will play nickelback for the Jayhawks, and he has the versatility and intelligence to step into any spot he is most needed in the Kansas secondary.
JaCorey Shepherd received three starts last season, when he moved from the offensive side of the ball to cornerback. For now, Shepherd is the starter on the left side, with Dexter McDonald starting on the right side after transferring back to Kansas after a year at Butler Community College. There is plenty of depth at corner with junior college transfers Brandon Hollomon and Kevin Short.
Linebackers:
The linebacker position features the most experience on the field for Kansas. Between the three starters listed on the depth chart to open fall camp, Ben Goodman is the only linebacker to miss a game.
Goodman is listed as the first string buck for the Jayhawks. He will be in position to make a lot of plays as a hybrid of the linebacker and defensive line positions. Michael Reynolds is listed as the back up at buck, but could compete for the starting job and will contribute to the defense regardless.
the defense. Regular.
At middle linebacker Ben Heeney led the team in tackles a year ago and had the third most in the Big 12. Heeney is one of the few defensive players that Kansas coaches know exactly what to expect from.
inere is an intense battle for the starting weakside linebacker position between Jake Love and junior college transfer Samson Faifili. Love brings experience to the team after playing 12 games last season, while Faifili brings energy that can fire up the entire defense.
Edited by Ashleigh Tidwell
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