4. SMU Mustangs College Football Preview 2021: Defense
– The D wasn’t that bad, but it wasn’t consistent enough and it struggled over the second half of the year. In comes defensive coordinator extraordinaire Jim Leavitt to change all of that.
The pass rush was already fine, but the run D has to be stronger and there need to be more big plays. With nine starters returning and some strong transfers coming in, the new DC will have some fun.
– The linebacking corps is interesting and versatile. Richard McBryde is gone from the middle, but Delano Robinson is an all-around playmaker and lading tackler on the outside, and Trevor Denbow can bring a little pop no matter where he plays. It helps to have a good defensive front to work behind, and SMU’s is full of talent and experience.
The end combination of Turner Coxe and Gary Wiley will start to do even more under Leavitt, and there’s size and options in the rotation on the inside around rising star Elijah Chatman on the nose.
– The secondary was going to be good before, and now it gets a whole lot more interesting with former Florida star recruit Jahari Rogers coming in to help out corner. The other three starters are back in the secondary, and that doesn’t even include Brandon Crossley who led the team with four picks.
– What You Need To Know: Offense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– SMU Schedule Analysis