Predicting the Colorado State starters: Defense

Defense wins championships. That’s the old adage, anyway.

The Colorado State Rams football team wants nothing more than to be champions of the Mountain West, which would likely set them up with a top-notch bowl game and national recognition.

All throughout fall camp, head coach Mike Bobo has said he expects his team to prepare and practice like champions every day. And senior safety Kevin Pierre-Louis told BSN Denver in an interview, “We had to [bring energy back to practice.] We had to because we want to be champions too.”

Of course, anyone around the team last year knows how closely they came to competing for a Mountain West championship, with that early loss to Boise State ruining everything. So, it seems the leaders on both sides of the football are ready to focus, take charge and not let the must-win games slip away this time around.

Luckily for the defensive side of the ball, the Rams are stacked with seniors. One of the unit’s undoubted leaders is safety Trent Matthews, an intimidating and yet intelligent safety who has earned the respect of his teammates through years of hard work.

“We’ve got to do a better job in the back seven communicating,” Bobo said after Wednesday’s practice. He mentioned Matthews and Pierre-Louis as key to the team’s communication and with both of them resting currently due to minor injuries, he’s had to stress it even more.

So, who will the other defensive starters be? (Read our prediction of the CSU offensive starters here.)

Let’s take a look at our prediction of the starting CSU defense, which will include nine seniors:

DE – Joe Kawulok: Started all 12 games he played in last season and was able to stay healthy. Racked up 4.5 tackles for a loss with 3.5 sacks and blocked a PAT last season. Was one of the team’s most talented pass-rushers last year and will need to get pressure again this time around.

“It’s a very aggressive style of play compared to last year,” Kawulok said post-practice Wednesday. “Defensive line has a lot more responsibilities compared to last year, which, I like that. We get to go play fast. There’s just a lot more calls we have to know and a lot more responsibility they give to us to make our own checks instead of linebackers.”

DT – Terry Jackson: At 6-foot-1 and 295 pounds, Jackson has the size to anchor the defensive line. He led the Rams D-linemen with 44 tackles last season, starting in 11 games. His drive is great; Jackson possesses a high motor and has a nose for getting into the opponent’s backfield. Had five tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks in 2014. His consistent performance is important for CSU’s D.

DT – Justin Hansen: Hansen’s 305-pound frame will help him stuff the run up the middle with Jackson, though at 6-foot-five, he has to remember to stay low to get leverage against O-linemen. As a redshirt senior, he should know just how to do that. He and Jackson should look to bring some nastiness to the line, too. Sometimes it’s enough to intimidate opposing linemen.

DE – Martavius Foster: Foster played in 12 games last year as a junior, but had no starts. His effort was inconsistent, which has seemed to change and be a more consistent force this fall camp. As long as the effort is there, Foster can be a formidable foe on the outside and could help the Rams put much-needed pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

WLB – SteveO Michael: SteveO is one of the most popular Rams, possibly for his unique name or maybe it’s for his extraordinary effort. Remember the play he made in the 2013 New Mexico Bowl as a sophomore? After the Rams tied the game late, SteveO flew down the field and hit the Washington State return man, forcing a fumble which set CSU up with the winning field goal and a sensational comeback win. He’s shown fire; can he play with it from play to play and start? We think so.

“It’s kind of 50-50,” SteveO said of how the coaches are using him on both the defensive line and as a linebacker. “The past defense, I was on the tight end a lot and I was standing up a majority of the time. I never was in a three-point stance last year, but this defense I’m in a three-point stance, some plays I’m standing up.

“At first it was a big change, but as you continue to do something it starts to grow on you and you find ways to love it,” Michael said. “And I figured out I’m more explosive in the three-point stance than standing up.”

MLB – Cory James: James has made the move from outside to the middle linebacker spot Bobo explained earlier in fall camp, which comes with some more responsibilities. It also may mean he gets to rush the quarterback more, something he’s excited for. He led the Rams in tackles for a loss last year with 8.5 and James racked up 6.5 sacks, too. He’s one of the most important players on the defense.

SLB – Kevin Davis: Our first junior starter for the defense. Davis has appeared in 23 games and finally earned his first start last season. He had 22 tackles with 2.5 of those for a loss and one sack on the season. Continually working to prove to coaches he deserves playing time. Possesses great size (6-foot-3 and 230 pounds) to play outside linebacker.

CB – DeAndre Elliot: Elliot started 23 games over the last three years at corner, starting half the 2014 season opposite Bernard Blake. Solid tackler for a CB and flies to the ball in the air, too. Should be CSU’s top corner this year, though Simmons will push him.

S – Trent Matthews: Matthews is an intimidating man, one who loves to learn about the game of football. When his team was torched by the long ball over and over for years, he took it all in stride. They’ve improved as a unit and he has as in individual too; in 2014 he tied for the team lead in interceptions with three and even blocked two field goals. Was a captain last year and likely will be again in 2015.

S – Kevin Pierre-Louis: Free safety who has the ability to play like a cornerback in his cover skills but also loves to hit opponents. SteveO Michael called him the hardest hitter on the team Wednesday. He’s started every game but three over the last two seasons as one of the unit’s most consistent players. KPL’s 85 tackles were third-most on the team while he also enjoyed a sack and a forced fumble.

CB – Tyree Simmons: The second junior of the bunch, but he’s got plenty of experience to start. Plus, his athleticism has shown up the last two years all over the field, both on defense and special teams. Simmons tied Matthews for the team lead with three picks last season and also defended five passes. He’s extremely active in defending the ball and helps round out the Rams deep defensive backfield.

Backups:

DT – Colton Foster: It’s hard to ignore his 6-foot-3, 285-pound frame. One of five Rams weighing in at 285-plus. Size is key at tackle.

DE – Brett Jordan: One of three players on the roster listed specifically as a defensive end. 6-foot-5, 275-pound redshirt sophomore. Again, his size is stellar for the position.

DL – Josh Lovingood: Sophomore who recorded 26 tackles in 2014, while recovering a fumble, too. High motor guy who gives the line needed depth.

LB – Deonte Clyburn: Junior who really came on during the end of last year. Recorded a career-high five tackles in season finale versus Air Force. Will he continue that success into this season?

LB – Brian Ohene-Gyeni: Special teams stud who will contribute there and possibly on defense as well.

LB – Kiel Robinson: Another special teams guy working his way into a starting spot possibly next year or in 2017.

CB – Preston Hodges: Hodges started 12 games last year and will see plenty of game action as the team’s nickelback. He put together 69 tackles, seven pass breakups and one interception as a sophomore last year.

DB – Nick Januska: Senior who has a chance to be a special teams leader this year.

S – Jake Schlager: Schlager’s a player, and he’s patiently biding his time behind those starting safeties. He only played in four games last year but something says he’ll work his way onto the field – mostly on special teams – for many more games in 2015.

Remember, these are simply educated guesses. We’ll bring you the official two-deep when it’s out.