A big reason for Hobart's return to the top of the LL in 2011 had a lot to do with one of Coach Cragg's best defensive units in several seasons. The Statesmen "D" allowed only 17.1 PPG and held opposing offenses to 283.1 YPG on average. They terrorized QBs racking up 27 sacks and helped Hobart to a +10 turnover differential which was a huge improvement from 2010's -7 TOM (last in the LL). Here is a positional overview of the Statesmen defense for this fall:
DB – With due respect to the number of outstanding seniors lost to gradation from last season's OL, the Statesmen’s biggest shoes to fill this fall in my opinion are those of four-time unanimous All-League and 2011 All-America award winner Drake Woodard ’12. Woodard started in almost every game of his four year Hobart career accumulating 145 tackles and 12 INTs over that time period. What the stats belie is the fact this unanimous first team All LL selection was probably one of the best cover corners the Statesmen have ever had (see post on 1/14/11) and neutralized most of the opposition’s best wide outs (insert a collective sigh of relief the Union's Justin Gallo graduated last spring as well). The good news for Hobart fans (and the returning and incoming DBs) is that Woodard is returning to Geneva as an assistant football coach while studying for his Masters.
Hobart only has a handful of experienced DBs returning this fall meaning Statesmen opponents are likely to test this group early and often. In the two losses in 2011, teams passed for approximately 300 yards per game showing that, even with Woodard, this unit can be vulnerable to a well run passing (and pass blocking) team.
The most experienced of the returning players is JR CB Connor Garrett. The San Diego, CA native started opposite of Woodard all of 2011 and contributed 18 total tackles, two pass break ups and one INT. Filling in for former FS Chad Dorrance (see post on 2/29/12) will likely be JR FS Jolyon Davis (started two games and had 17 tackles) or SO DB Fajiri Jackson. A potential starter at CB will be JR Kevin Hearon who scored on a 36 yard “pick six” to ice the 24-10 victory at Rochester in the regular season finale. Other potential contributors could be SR DB Rashaun Moore and highly touted FY CB Leif Colberg out of Cheshire Academy.
DE - What was a position of concern going into 2011 ended up being one of the Hobart’s biggest strengths thanks to the addition of 2011 LL Rookie of the Year Tyre Coleman. Coleman wreaked havoc on opposing quarter and running backs leading the league and finishing second in the nation in sacks (13) while also adding 19 tackles for a loss (also some of the best defensive performances in the nation in 2011) and five forced fumbles.
With JR DE Tim Murray transferring to Endicott College (MA), there will be a competition between a trio of Statesmen including JR DE Juan Breton, SR DE Kees Nordin and SO DE Jake Currie to play opposite Coleman. Personally I'd like to see Breton (who opted out of playing FCS level football at Sacred Heart University in CT to come to Hobart) emerge as a defensive force. He was highly regarded coming out of high school but so far has yet to see any meaningful time on the field. Another possibility could be a move similar to what occurred in 2011 when former DT Dane Wilcoxen '12 was asked by the coaching staff to play DE.
DL - Although Hobart will miss 2nd team All LL tackle Gianni Contro ‘12, the Statesmen return the bulk, literally and figuratively, of their defensive line. Leading the way is SR DL Nick Auriemma who’ll likely be joined by SO DL Troy Johnson, Raimonn Goddard and/or SO DL Ben Dunham-Kapaldo and JR DL Cory Einbeck and Jacob Powell.
LB – As usual a real strength of Hobart’s defense was at the inside and outside line backing positions. Although the Statesmen will miss the leadership and output (81 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 1 INT, and 2 FF) of Reggie Robinson ’12, the Statesmen return the majority of this critical unit. After winning the LL 2010 Rookie of Year award, JR OLB/SS Devin Worthington earned the LL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2011. Worthington was fourth on the team in tackles with 45 but did most of his damage behind the line of scrimmage adding 11.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 1 INT, two forced and three recovered fumbles. Lining up opposite Worthington on the outside in 2012 will either be classmate JR LB Austin DiMarco, JR LB Taylor Delperuto or JR LB Nolan Toran. Coaching the OLB unit will be former Statesmen Co-Captain and LB Kyle O'Laughlin '11.
Inside the Statesmen will be lead by SR LB and Co-Captain Andrew Klindera who finished second to Robinson with 51 tackles. Playing opposite Klindera will likely be SR LB and Co-captain Nick Zapp but expect to see JR LBs Thomas Elder and Cory Davis as well as a number of highly talented FY recruits look to see the field in 2012.
Next week I'll cover off on special teams and the 2012 (10 game!) schedule. Thanks and go 'Bart!
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