I think its underrated the depth White and Stoops are building on defense in particular. What I find the most exciting is different levels of experience all over the defense. This isn't like the 2018 team where its 9 seniors and 2 juniors starting. Theres a bunch of young stars out there making plays and most of these guys, besides the obvious 4, will be returning. Its not a 1-year wonder defense, its a defense built for the long-haul. The fact that we are out our 2 best returning DBs makes it even more impressive and proves the depth.
Just to get an idea of the depth being built:
2023 Potential Defensive Depth Chart:
NT:
Justin Rogers SR or
Josiah Hayes SR
DT:
Deone Walker SO
Kahlil Saunders RSSO
Jamarius Dinkins RSSO
DE:
Octavious Oxendine SR (don't get caught up in where I have him, just putting the best starting 3)
TreVonn Rybka RSJR
Darrion Henry-Young RSJR
Tomiwa Durojaiye RSFR
Jack/OLB:
JJ Weaver SR (Very well might leave)
Keaton Wade SO
Tyreese Fearbry RSFR
LB:
Trevin Wallace JR
Martez Thrower JR
LB:
D'Eryk Jackson SR
Luke Fulton SR
Grant Godfrey FR
S:
Jalen Geiger SR
Zion Childress RSJR
S:
Jordan Lovett RSSO
Taj Dodson SR
Kobi Albert RSFR
NB/OLB: (you'll see both of these guys plenty)
Vito Tisdale RSSO
Alex Afari SO
CB:
Carrington Valentine SR
Andre Stewart RSFR
CB:
Andru Phillips RSJR
Maxwell Hairston RSSO
Elijah Reed RSFR
Note: Basically every senior listed here has a COVID year left as well, so some of these seniors listed will likely return again in 2024.
Not too often do you have a good defense and then get to do it all over again the next year almost the same group.
By my count you'll have 7 DBs alone who have started at least 1 game the last 2 seasons.
One could definitely argue next year's defense could be better than this one, particularly the d-line and secondary. Just speaks to what they have/are building. I'm not saying this is currently a top 10 defense or anything, but being able to continuously have defenses that are this consistently solid is very rare in the SEC for any teams not named Georgia or Alabama.
Just to get an idea of the depth being built:
2023 Potential Defensive Depth Chart:
NT:
Justin Rogers SR or
Josiah Hayes SR
DT:
Deone Walker SO
Kahlil Saunders RSSO
Jamarius Dinkins RSSO
DE:
Octavious Oxendine SR (don't get caught up in where I have him, just putting the best starting 3)
TreVonn Rybka RSJR
Darrion Henry-Young RSJR
Tomiwa Durojaiye RSFR
Jack/OLB:
JJ Weaver SR (Very well might leave)
Keaton Wade SO
Tyreese Fearbry RSFR
LB:
Trevin Wallace JR
Martez Thrower JR
LB:
D'Eryk Jackson SR
Luke Fulton SR
Grant Godfrey FR
S:
Jalen Geiger SR
Zion Childress RSJR
S:
Jordan Lovett RSSO
Taj Dodson SR
Kobi Albert RSFR
NB/OLB: (you'll see both of these guys plenty)
Vito Tisdale RSSO
Alex Afari SO
CB:
Carrington Valentine SR
Andre Stewart RSFR
CB:
Andru Phillips RSJR
Maxwell Hairston RSSO
Elijah Reed RSFR
Note: Basically every senior listed here has a COVID year left as well, so some of these seniors listed will likely return again in 2024.
Not too often do you have a good defense and then get to do it all over again the next year almost the same group.
By my count you'll have 7 DBs alone who have started at least 1 game the last 2 seasons.
One could definitely argue next year's defense could be better than this one, particularly the d-line and secondary. Just speaks to what they have/are building. I'm not saying this is currently a top 10 defense or anything, but being able to continuously have defenses that are this consistently solid is very rare in the SEC for any teams not named Georgia or Alabama.
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