Roster Notes-Defense

D-Line
Jon Simon leads this unit with his freakish strength and speed. Nathan Williams had a great season last year, and will continue to disrupt opposing teams passing games. Jonathan "Big Hank" Hankins has lost weight (still 330 lbs.) and appears ready to stop the opposition's running game. Garrett Goebel hasn't played a lot of minutes, but he is expected to take the place vacated by Dexter Larimore. Solomon Thomas will miss the first five games. You can expect to see the D-Line shuffle in many more players.

Linebackers
Andrew Sweat is the only returning starter. Sabino comes back after using a red-shirt last season, and he will have a cast on a hand he broke less than two weeks ago. Storm Klein will be at the middle linebacker position.

Defensive Backs
Returning starter Orhian Johnson will be safety, with CJ Barnett joining him at the other safety position. Barnett had started the first two games last year, but had a season ending knee injury. At nickle back, "Star" position, will be Tyler Moeller. Moeller is in his sixth year after suffering a torn pectoral in the fifth game last year and missing a previous season. Christian Bryant, the backup for safety Johnson, came in for Moeller last season, but he missed most of the season and the bowl game with a foot infection. Travis Howard will be at cornerback, after playing in a few spots last season, including Chimdi Chekwa's spot at corner in the Sugar Bowl after Chekwa's injury. At the other corner is red-shirt freshman Bradley Roby, a name we will soon become familiar with as the season starts. UPDATE: Travis Howard and backup safety Corey "Pittsburgh" Brown have been suspended for the first game. Dominic Clarke will likely take Howard's spot for the first game.