Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LOGAN — How important to you is returning talent?
Well, there, Utah State is struggling. They return just three starters from 2015's defense, losing eight, including some really talented, NFL-level players.
Take a look at the linebacker core, for example: Kyler Fackrell was drafted by Green Bay in the third round of the NFL Draft after recording 82 tackles in 2015, leading the nation with five fumble recoveries. Nick Vigil, also drafted in the third round, but by Cincinnati. Vigil had 144 tackles in his junior season, which ranked sixth nationally among all players. Torrey Green and LT Fillaga both signed NFL free agent contracts, with the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively. That's all four starting LBs in a 3-4 system gone. Behind them, the linebackers don't have much experience at all: the five letterwinners (Anthony Williams, Brock Carmen, Alex Huerta, Chasen Andersen and Derek Larsen) have combined for just one start.
The defensive lines and pass protection stories are a little bit better. Ricky Ali'fua, a senior, is a key returner on the end of the line. Travis Seefeldt, who redshirted in 2015 due to injuries, is making a return at the nose guard position. Together, the two make up half of the Mountain West Conference's preseason All-Conference Defensive line. Even here, though, the Aggies will have to replace the contributions of David Moala and Jordan Nielsen, both all-Mountain West performers from last year.
Devin Centers, a senior safety, made honorable mention all-Mountain West in 2014 after his sophomore season. Corner Jalen Davis made the same squad, but in 2015, after his sophomore season. Last year's starting strong safety Marwin Evans, and corners Tyler Floyd and Deshane Hanes are gone, though.
Overall, there are some real questions about the defense after ranking 17th in total defense last season. There are some strong spots, sure, but USU will need to hope players step up to fill some pretty big shoes.
How important to you is a returning coaching staff?
Just as with the players on the field, USU's defensive coaching staff is nearly-all-new, after losing defensive coordinator Kevin Clune to Oregon State and nearly every other defensive position coach to roles all across the country.
In 2016, the defensive coordinator duties will be handled by Frank Maile and Kendrick Shaver, both who are new to such big shoes. Maile will coach the defensive line as well, after coaching the line at Vanderbilt for the past two seasons. Shaver will also handle the safeties.
Julius Brown will handle the cornerbacks for the first time after two years at Boise State, and the experienced David Kotulski will face his first season as USU's linebacker coach in 2016. Still, it'll be a relatively new unit learning on the job.
How important to you are spring football scrimmages?
If you think they're critical, well, Utah State's defense is going to be fine. After all, in their Annual Blue-White game in April, the defense unit allowed the Aggie offense to score just one touchdown in their first 18 possessions. In those same possessions, the defense picked up 11 three-and-outs, 15 deflections, eight sacks, two interceptions, and one fumble.
Linebacker Alex Huerta told The Salt Lake Tribune that the spring scrimmage performance was inspired by a weaker performance in practice. "We all got together and said, 'Hey, this isn't Aggie defense. We didn't play like the guys that came before us."
Hey, maybe the NFL-departed core can still produce dividends for the Aggies.
