TLDR – starting D overall talent should be similar to 2022 but in different places. Depth is light years better than 2022 and should help us finish better in close games.
Playing with the PFF numbers and comparing last year’s starters to this year’s, this time with the defense.
First thing to note is that it’s a lot harder to focus on starters because you have to rotate so much on the front seven. So the real answer is broader than just your starters, unless you’re clueless like harsin and try to play one guy the whole game. Clearly the depth is much improved, even if the 1’s are about the same on average.
Two caveats: 1) this is my opinion on projected starters and 2) I’m using PFF for grades, so TIFWIW.
DL
2023 starters: Marcus Harris (63.6), Mosiah Nakili-Kite (62.6)/ Lawrence Johnson (61.3), Justin Rogers (70.9)/Jason Jones (66.4)
2022 starters: Derrick Hall (71.3), Colby Wooden (72.1), Jason Jones (66.4)
Change: Moderate downgrade in starters (roughly avg -4/position per PFF), but a significant upgrade in depth. And we might actually use our backups this season, which would be novel. I think it will be closer to a wash across a full game, but a little down overall.
Jack
2023 starter: Jalen Mcleod (86.6)/Elijah McAllister (66.9)
2022 starter: Eku Leota (82.1)/Marcus Bragg (61.1)
Change: PFF likes this as an upgrade, but Mcleod is 30 pounds lighter than Leota, and that will likely matter more in the SEC. There’s a ton of depth now. I’d say it’s a wash compared to when Leota was healthy, and a moderate upgrade from after Leota was lost for the season. Faulk will likely come on strong during the season and make it better.
LB
2023 starters: Larry Nixon III (66.6), Austin Keys (63.8)
2022 starters: Owen Pappoe (69.5), Cam Riley (57.2)/Wes Steiner (56.3)
Change: Mildly improved. Pappoe was a beast but seemed to get lost; I don’t think he was used optimally last year. Riley and Steiner are back, but I doubt they’ll start because Nixon and Keys (and Tolan IMO) are all better. Depth is clearly an upgrade, enough so that I think it more than offsets losing Pappoe.
DB
2023 starters: Jaylon Simpson (71), Donovan Kaufman (72.1), DJ James (82.3), Nehemiah Pritchett (70.6)
2022 starters: Jaylon Simpson (71), Zion Puckett (46.7), DJ James (82.3), Nehemiah Pritchett (70.6)
Change: Definitely an upgrade, as everyone is back, and Kaufman or Gilbert should take over Puckett’s spot and make it better immediately (+25.4(!) per PFF).
IYAM, Puckett has gotten too big at 6-0, 230 to play safety, and that’s part of why he’s getting beaten in coverage. Gotta move him down to LB or I don’t think he’s going to see the field much going forward. Fun stat - Puckett is the heaviest DB in FBS.
Not much change with the DBs year-over-year – they were good last year, and they’ll be even better this year. Will be interesting to see how much Kayin Lee can get on the field. They’ll be the strength of the team, assuming their film careers don’t interfere.
Playing with the PFF numbers and comparing last year’s starters to this year’s, this time with the defense.
First thing to note is that it’s a lot harder to focus on starters because you have to rotate so much on the front seven. So the real answer is broader than just your starters, unless you’re clueless like harsin and try to play one guy the whole game. Clearly the depth is much improved, even if the 1’s are about the same on average.
Two caveats: 1) this is my opinion on projected starters and 2) I’m using PFF for grades, so TIFWIW.
DL
2023 starters: Marcus Harris (63.6), Mosiah Nakili-Kite (62.6)/ Lawrence Johnson (61.3), Justin Rogers (70.9)/Jason Jones (66.4)
2022 starters: Derrick Hall (71.3), Colby Wooden (72.1), Jason Jones (66.4)
Change: Moderate downgrade in starters (roughly avg -4/position per PFF), but a significant upgrade in depth. And we might actually use our backups this season, which would be novel. I think it will be closer to a wash across a full game, but a little down overall.
Jack
2023 starter: Jalen Mcleod (86.6)/Elijah McAllister (66.9)
2022 starter: Eku Leota (82.1)/Marcus Bragg (61.1)
Change: PFF likes this as an upgrade, but Mcleod is 30 pounds lighter than Leota, and that will likely matter more in the SEC. There’s a ton of depth now. I’d say it’s a wash compared to when Leota was healthy, and a moderate upgrade from after Leota was lost for the season. Faulk will likely come on strong during the season and make it better.
LB
2023 starters: Larry Nixon III (66.6), Austin Keys (63.8)
2022 starters: Owen Pappoe (69.5), Cam Riley (57.2)/Wes Steiner (56.3)
Change: Mildly improved. Pappoe was a beast but seemed to get lost; I don’t think he was used optimally last year. Riley and Steiner are back, but I doubt they’ll start because Nixon and Keys (and Tolan IMO) are all better. Depth is clearly an upgrade, enough so that I think it more than offsets losing Pappoe.
DB
2023 starters: Jaylon Simpson (71), Donovan Kaufman (72.1), DJ James (82.3), Nehemiah Pritchett (70.6)
2022 starters: Jaylon Simpson (71), Zion Puckett (46.7), DJ James (82.3), Nehemiah Pritchett (70.6)
Change: Definitely an upgrade, as everyone is back, and Kaufman or Gilbert should take over Puckett’s spot and make it better immediately (+25.4(!) per PFF).
IYAM, Puckett has gotten too big at 6-0, 230 to play safety, and that’s part of why he’s getting beaten in coverage. Gotta move him down to LB or I don’t think he’s going to see the field much going forward. Fun stat - Puckett is the heaviest DB in FBS.
Not much change with the DBs year-over-year – they were good last year, and they’ll be even better this year. Will be interesting to see how much Kayin Lee can get on the field. They’ll be the strength of the team, assuming their film careers don’t interfere.
