Central Michigan University Athletics
Holes to Fill on Defense, But Plenty of Building Blocks
8/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Just as the rooster instinctively crows at dawn, a coach prods, pulls, yells and does his own version of crowing. It's in the coaching DNA.
First-year Central Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Colby has been in the coaching biz for four decades, and he knows when, and how, to crow with the best of 'em.
When he looks at the Chippewas' defensive personnel on the whole, he likes what he sees.
"I'm excited, I really am," said Colby, whose resumé includes stints as the defensive coordinator at both Northwestern and Kent State, and as the defensive line coach at Illinois. "This might be the first time I've gone into a season in the position I'm at with this quality and I'm excited about what they can do."
The Chippewa defense has a legacy to live up to. CMU was the top defensive unit in the Mid-American Conference last season, surrendering 355.5 yards per game. That number put the Chippewas 29th among the 125 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
There are big shoes to fill - as there almost always are in college football - specifically with the graduation losses of tackle Leterrius Walton, linebacker Justin Cherocci, and cornerback Jason Wilson.
Still, plenty of experienced talent returns, and the Chippewas are particularly strong up the middle, a factor that feeds Colby's optimism.
"They know how to play," Colby said. "They know how to play at the highest level and they've done it well. That needs to carry over and it has for the most part. That's part of the maturation and a lot of those guys were in there (in the past) and hopefully they teach the younger guys how to play that way.
"Overall I think we've got a real solid defense."
The Chippewas return three starters in Jabari Dean, Joe Ostman and Blake Serpa along the defensive front. Several others saw significant playing time last season.
"I think our defense is on its way to being very stout this year," coach John Bonamego said. "I think our front will probably be as good as anybody in our conference. We've got really good depth in the defensive line which is critical when you play a lot of the no-huddle teams. Being able to rotate guys in there and be fresh.
"I just see that (the defense) as being tenacious and salty."
The Chippewas will play a base 4-3 defense, which means four up front, three linebackers and four defensive backs. It's a departure from past years when CMU played a 4-2-5 base defense.
But they can easily adjust, Colby said, against teams that are more apt to throw the ball.
"If (opponents are) going to come out and try to pound it, put a tight end in the game and two backs, you're going to see us in 4-3," Colby said. "When they're putting four wideouts in the game, you're going to see us in 4-2. All depends on what they give us. We're going to match it. That's really what we are."
Tim Hamilton will start at middle linebacker. The senior, who saw significant playing time a year ago, has served his apprenticeship under the likes of Cherocci and former standout Shamari Benton. The difference now in the base 4-3 is that Hamilton will be alone in the middle. Junior Nathan Ricketts and redshirt freshman Malik Fountain are slated to start at the outside linebacker spots.
Veterans Tony Aneese and Kavon Frazier return at safety. Frazier, a senior, played in every game a year ago, drawing three starts.
Annese was a Third Team All-MAC selection in 2014 and is considered among the league's best at his position.
"Our safeties, I think are just what we thought in the spring: They're big, they're aggressive, they're physical and they're smart, so they give us what we want there," Colby said.
It's on the corners where the Chippewas will be inexperienced with both starters from 2014 gone. Sophomores Amari Coleman and Josh Cox along with senior Stefon Armstead are the frontrunners in a heated battle for those starting spots.
"You always have concerns any time you're playing young players," Bonamego said. "Old players just don't show up. They all start off as young players. You never really know what someone's going to do until you get them in the heat of a ballgame and they're under the pressure of the ballgame.
"I think the guys that we're rotating in there all have talent. We'll be smart about what we do with them and how we use them."
