4. UConn Huskies College Football Preview 2021: Defense
– The offense was bad two years ago, but the defense was even worse. If allowed 467 yards and 41 points per game, was a disaster against the run and did nothing to get behind the line. Like the offensive side, though, this was a young D that now had a year to hit the weights, workout, and get going for this year.
– Omar Fortt is still around. The veteran linebacker is built like a defensive back, but he was able to bulk over over the last year and should be able to do even more after finishing second on the team with 70 stops.
Jackson Mitchell is also back after making 65 tackles, and the D gets back DJ Morgan for a super-super-senior season – he was a senior in 2019. The 6-2, 226-pound former transfer from Notre Dame was the team’s best player at getting behind the line.
– Now there needs to be a pass rush from the defensive front. There’s not much, but the defensive interior at least has some bulk with 6-5, 333-pound junior Travis Jones to work around – he was second on the team in tackles for loss – and junior Kevon Jones is the best all-around prospect on the outside. There are options but the production has to come.
– The UConn secondary only came up with six of the seven picks in 2019, but former JUCO transfer Diamond Harrell returns to one safety spot after making 38 tackles and coming up with 49 tackles. However, two key parts of the secondary – Robert King and Keyshawn Paul – are transferring out. The corners are young, but have a wee bit of experience.
– What You Need To Know: Offense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– UConn Huskies Schedule Analysis