4. College Football News Preview 2020: Boise State Broncos Defense 3 Things To Know
– The defense that finished third in the Mountain West and was among the best in the nation at getting into the backfield and hitting the quarterback is all but starting over up front.
Losing star pass rush Curtis Weaver to the NFL hurts, and all three other starters are gone from the line. More than that, the depth is missing.
It’s right up there with the offensive line as a massive concern with a whole lot of guesses, thoughts, and prayers early on up front around a line that loses all 25 sacks of production from last year.
– The line might be a concern, but the linebacking corps will be terrific. Leading tackler Riley Whimpey is back after making 83 stops, and 6-2, 230-pound Benton Wickersham returns in the middle after finishing third on the team with 63 tackles. Also coming back is junior Ezekiel Noa after missing almost all of last year hurt. If and when he’s right, the Broncos will be loaded.
– The pass defense has to hope to get the same sort of help from the pass rush as last year. Depending on the alignment and the moment, four starters are back with hybrid nickel defender Kekaula Kaniho one of the Mountain West’s best veteran playmakers coming off a 61-tackle season.
The safety spots should be solid with junior Tyreque Jones and sophomore JL Skinner around Kaniho, and the corner situation is strong starting with all-star senior Jalen Walker on one side.