The Shepherd defense is returning 9 starters from last year's team. Both DB Dejuan Neal and DL Tatah Ndeh depart from the defense. Neal was very solid and Ndeh was a motor on the line, but neither player is a game changing loss. Last year's defense was not a signature Shepherd defense we've gotten used to from Coach Kline. Quite frankly, sometimes you just don't have the horses. The key to Shepherd's speedy defense is the beef in the middle of the four man defensive line. In its dominant years, Shepherd had the likes of Mike Franklin and Isaiah Ross manning the middle. The middle of Shepherd's defense has to force teams to run east/ west so that the speed of the linebackers can persue the play. If teams find success running north south up the middle Shepherd's safeties tend to get caught cheating or looking into the backfield. It's when the opposing team is able to hit plays down field. There's been plenty od speculation that Maryland transfer Adam McLean may be an option to man the middle of that defensive line, but he hasn't officially been listed on the roster yet. That's fairly typical though. Returning on the line are Juwan Addison and Scott Dixon. Martinsburg product Jalen Hesen may also find some time in the rotation.
At linebacker, Chrys Lane is a budding star. He has a nose for the ball and always seems to be in the mix. Ponce DeLeon is an undersized OLB who has big play capabilities and plays with a lot of passion. Sometimes he plays with a little too much and receives the 15 yard penalty. In addition, David Eppard and Jared Austin should see considerable playing time. The secondary looks good this year as they return everyone but Neal. They also had some transfers come in this summer.
All on all, the defense will need to be disciplined this year. The defensive line will be the key to this. They will need to impose their will on the opponent's offensive line. McLean could be that game changer.
At linebacker, Chrys Lane is a budding star. He has a nose for the ball and always seems to be in the mix. Ponce DeLeon is an undersized OLB who has big play capabilities and plays with a lot of passion. Sometimes he plays with a little too much and receives the 15 yard penalty. In addition, David Eppard and Jared Austin should see considerable playing time. The secondary looks good this year as they return everyone but Neal. They also had some transfers come in this summer.
All on all, the defense will need to be disciplined this year. The defensive line will be the key to this. They will need to impose their will on the opponent's offensive line. McLean could be that game changer.
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