I'm excited for this season. The new defensive coaches walked into a really good situation. They have a lot of history of miserable numbers under Stanard to fix, but the team has weapons. There are three all-American talents on the defense.
If Granderson wouldn't have got hurt last year he would have been an all-American. He's the best edge rusher in the MWC and one of the best in the country. His upper body is going to be ripped this year as well. I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't close to 270 now.
Dewey just keeps getting better. He has the ability to close quick and is a tackle machine. It's nice to have a great safety. Successful Wyoming football teams have had dominant safeties.
I told CarbonPoke that I thought Wilson would move to the middle a couple of months ago. It makes the most sense. Wilson is great in coverage and fast, in addition to his ability to tackle, and the brain to be the defenses qb in the huddle. He'll have three years to learn the position.
What's different defensively this year?
We have depth and size on the defensive line. These guys have been developed and we finally have a large, physical, four man rotation at both defensive tackle and defensive end. We have a lot of capable guys in the defensive trenches this year. They've all had an extra year of Russell Dennison.
One of the keys to being a dominant Tampa 2, is defensive tackles that can generate an interior rush. I think Gaifan and Malauulu have the ability to get in the backfield. There's potential that one of those guys IS going to turn into a good pass rusher. They've both showed flashes of it at young ages.
I think the defensive line will be the most improved position for next years Cowboys, the missing piece since Fletcher, Unrein, Givens, and Biezuns graduated.
Things are looking up for the Pokes. I can't wait for the scrimmage in Casper.