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GoHuskies.com and Coach Tyrone Willingham take a look at the Husky defense in the third installment of a three-part season preview.

Defensive Line
The Huskies' most experienced unit is, without doubt, the defensive line. With four starters back from the 2006 season, the team will rely on this group to lead the way on defense.

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Back in their starting roles are ends Greyson Gunheim and Daniel Te'o-Nesheim and tackles Wilson Afoa and Jordan Reffett. Behind those four are a number of far-less experienced players, including junior Darrion Jones (an end who played linebacker previously), 6-foot- 7 senior end Caesar Rayford, sophomore end De'Shon Matthews, senior tackles Erick Lobos and Jovon O'Connor, and sophomore tackles Cameron Elisara and Derek Kosub.

"First and foremost, the defensive line has to be the focus of our defensive team," Willingham says. "We've got to get our defensive line to be more productive from the standpoint of making tackles, creating turnovers and things of that sort. Often, people think those are responsibilities that come to your linebackers, but it would be extremely beneficial if some of that role could fall on our defensive line.

"We have a front four with a lot of experience," Willingham continues. "Now, we need them to take over the lead in terms of our production on the defense. If they can get that accomplished, it will make things much easier for our linebackers."

Linebackers

Senior Dan Howell

"You get excited about our linebackers when you look at who we have there," Willingham explains. "They're guys who have gotten playing time and have been around the football team, been on special teams. They give us experience. They give us confidence and they give us a front seven that should be able to step up our defensive game."

The linebackers, especially on the outside, will rely on speed more than bulk to get the job done.

"I think that one thing every defense wants is speed, because speed and explosiveness are what create turnovers," Willingham says. "Just being bigger doesn't necessarily get you there. But if you have guys who have some speed and explosiveness, you can create turnovers. If we do that, we have a much better chance to win."

Defensive Backs
Heading into the spring, the entire defensive secondary was made up of only eight players, two at each position. Of that group, two were returning starters, two more had seen previous varsity action and the other four had yet to play in a game.

Senior Roy Lewis

Two-year starting cornerback Roy Lewis and junior free safety Jason Wells, who started in that spot last year after transferring from junior college, lead the group. Strong safeties Mesphin Forrester and Darin Harris both have experience in a variety of positions while corners Jordan Murchison, Matt Mosley and Desmond Davis, and safety Jay Angotti, will be looking for their first action.

The development of this unit, which will likely be bolstered by the incoming freshman class, will be important when fall camp gets underway.

"We have to get our secondary shored up so that we can match the productivity of our front seven, which would make us a darn good football team," the head coach explains. "If we can do that, we will find ourselves in a position where we can give the ball to our offense and be in a position to win.

"We have to rely on the veterans," he continues. "They've got to set the tone for our team. We expect those guys to really step up and give us they type of leadership we expect from guys like Dan Howell in the linebackers and Jordan Reffett up front."

Special Teams
The Huskies' starting punter and placekicker spots will both be taken over by new players in 2007. While the winners of those two jobs might be young, they have plenty of talent. Junior Ryan Perkins, who missed last season with a knee injury, could contend for both spots. Junior college transfer Jared Ballman is more likely to punt while incoming freshman Erik Folk is primarily a placekicker. All three, however, could contend for either position.

"I like our personnel. I like their skills," Willingham says. "What I don't like is our inconsistency. That's the biggest thing in our kicking game."

As for punt and kick returners, the Huskies head into the fall looking for someone to step to the front.

"We really haven't settled on a return man," Willingham confesses. "We're looking to find someone really explosive. Maybe it'll come from that group of freshmen. There are some players there who can really be exciting."