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Basically ... San Jose State will never have a killer defense, but things should be a little bit better if there's more of a pass rush and better play from the corners. Derrick Jones was a big-time pass rusher in the JUCO ranks and needs to shine right away to take the pressure off the secondary. The safeties are good helped by the return of Josh Powell.
Star of the defense: Junior LB/S Eric Wilson
Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior CB Trestin George
Unsung star on the rise: Junior DE Derrick Jones
Best pro prospect: Senior DT Eddie Brown
Top three all-star candidates: 1) S Josh Powell, 2) Wilson, 3) Jones
Strength of the defense: Safety
Weakness of the defense: Linebacker
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Larnell Ransom, Jr. - Ransom was an undersized tackle and now moves to a more natural end position. The 253-pound junior made 18 tackles last year, but had a hard time getting into the backfield.
- Defensive tackle Eddie Brown, Sr. - The 319-pound Brown adds some much needed size to the line. He didn't do much last year only able to play in seven games, but he made 12 tackles and two tackle for loss.
- Defensive tackle Kinji Green, Jr. - Green has started the last two years as an undersized tackle. Now he's up to 275 pounds and should be more of a run stuffer with his experience coming off a 19 tackle season.
- Defensive end Sean McNamara, Sr. - McNamara is a tall 214 pound speed rusher who became a major factor by the end of last year. He has problems against the run, but he's quick at getting into the backfield with five sacks last year to go along with 30 tackles.
Top Backups
- DT Tony Ficklin, Jr. - The former linebacker started for most of last year making 36 tackles and four sacks as one of the team's quickest linemen. He'll be a quick backup behind Eddie Brown.
- DE Derrick Jones, Jr. - The star JUCO transfer is a 6-5, 240-pound pass rushing machine with 14.5 sacks and six forced fumbles last year. He's expected to take over one of the starting end spots when he arrives this fall.
- DT Anthony Flores, Jr. - Flores is an experienced 300-pound tackle coming over from the JUCO ranks. He's good at getting into the backfield and should be a top backup behind Kinji Green.
The Skinny: The line has to be far stronger against the run after allowing 187 yards per game and 25 touchdowns. The emergence of Eddie Brown is a key in the middle of the line, while JUCO transfer Derrick Jones has to be the same pass rusher at the D-I level that he was last year.
Player to keep an eye on: Derrick Jones ... Defensive Line Rating: 4.5
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Jamonte Cox, Jr. - The 216-pound Cox has mostly been a special teams performer, but he stepped up his overall play and took over one of the starting linebacker spots this spring. He'll have to battle to keep it with several good prospects on the outside.
- Ezekial Staples, Jr. - The former fullback is the team's leading returning receiver. He looks like a natural at linebacker where he'll use his toughness to get the first look on the inside.
Top Backups
- Rafael Pineda, RFr. - Pineda is a good, young, tough linebacker able to play either inside or outside. He'll backup Jamonte Cox going into the fall.
- Demetrius Jones, Soph. - Jones became a factor as last season went on finishing with 19 tackles. He has the range to become a good overall defender pushing Ezekial Staples for a starting job.
The Skinny: Linebackers don't have the same impact on the Spartan defense that they do in other defenses, and that's a good thing with little overall experience in this group. Essentially the SJSU linebackers are slower safeties. Ezekial Staples should be an interesting prospect coming over from the offensive side, while Rafael Pineda looks like a rising young star.
Player to keep an eye on: Rafael Pineda ... Linebacker Rating: 3
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Trestin George, Jr. - George has seen time as a corner and as a receiver over the course of his career, and now he'll get the start at one of the corner spots. He's a good tackler and not a bad coverman with two interceptions and 40 tackles last year.
- Safety Josh Powell, Jr. - The defense took a bit hit when it lost Powell for most of last year with an injury. The 6-3, 202-pound junior is a big hitter who took over the new third safety/linebacker position to utilize his speed and athleticism. He made 86 tackles in 2002 and 13 in only three games last year.
- Safety Brian Nunez, Jr. - It'll be up to Nunez to try and replace All-WAC star Gerald Jones and his 101 tackles and six interceptions. Nunez has a bit of experience making 25 tackles as one of the team's quicker reserves.
- Safety Eric Wilson, Sr. - The 5-9, 202-pound Wilson has become a good safety using his cornerback-like speed to always be around the ball. He was second on the team with 97 tackles last year and should again be among the team leaders.
- Cornerback Marshall Hendricks, Sr. - Hendricks has good quickness and decent skills, but he has to be far tighter this season. He made 23 tackles, an interception and broke up three passes, but he spent a lot of time chasing receivers.
Top Backups
- Cornerback Larry Collins, Jr. - The JUCO All-American adds more speed to the secondary. He'll challenge for a starting spot and be in on kickoff returns.
- Cornerback Jerrell Hardy, Sr. - The 6-2 Hardy provides some much needed size at corner. He was a decent back up last season making 20 tackles with four broken up passes.
- Cornerback Travonne Jackson, Jr. - Jackson can flat out fly clocking in with a 10.83 100 meter dash. He started his career out at BYU and should become a top backup in the cornerback rotation.
The Skinny: The secondary improved a little bit but still allowed 271 yards per game and 21 touchdowns. There are several good cornerback prospects with the addition of some JUCO transfers, and the safeties should be fine even after the loss of Gerald Jones. The return of Josh Powell is a huge boost.
Player to keep an eye on: Brian Nunez ... Secondary Rating: 4
Special Teams
- Placekicker Jeff Carr, Sr. - Carr turned into one of the bigger surprises of the 2003 Spartan season hitting 11 of 17 field goals while showing decent deep range. He'll have a battle on his hands from Jeff Ferrier to keep the starting job, but at the very least he'll be used often inside the 40.
- Punter Waylon Prather, Fr. - The freshman walk-on has a slight hold on the job coming out of spring ball, but he's going to have to keep on producing to hold off quarterback/punter Dale Rogers.
The Skinny: The kicking game should be fine as Jeff Carr is a reliable placekicker. Departed punter Bryce Partridge won't be all that hard to replace. The return game will be strong if Casey Miranda can adequately replace Jamall Broussard's 10.9 punt return average. The coverage units have to be far better after allowing 10.6 yards per punt return and 24.8 yards on kickoffs.
Special Teams Rating: 6
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