4. WKU Hilltoppers College Football Preview 2021: Defense
– The offense might have had issues, but the defense wasn’t all that bad. There wasn’t enough of a pass rush, but the secondary was solid – it allowed just 177 yards per game – and the scoring D gave up just 25 points per outing. Like the offense, though, there are a whole slew of changes under defensive coordinator Maurice Crum. The transfer portal has been busy.
– Six defensive backs are transferring out, but landing corners Davion Williams from Michigan State and Tre Shaw from North Carolina is a massive boost. The corners are deeper now around Dominque Bradshaw, and second-leading tackler Antwon Kincade is back.
– The star of the defense is back. Top sack man and backfield playmaker DeAngelo Malone returns for a super-senior season, but losing interior pass rusher Ricky Barber to UCF is a problem. There’s size up front, though, and enough options to play around with to be okay.
The linebacking corps, though, is relying on the transfer portal after losing Kyle Bailey and Eli Brown. Enough options are coming in from Power Five programs to be okay.
– What You Need To Know: Defense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– WKU Schedule Analysis