UMass defense in search of new playmakers
1
AMHERST - Outside of linebacker, where the University of Massachusetts football team appears to still be loaded, the defense starts the year needing to replace a lot of its playmakers from the 2009 season.
The UMass coaches are excited about the young players who'll be asked to shoulder considerable responsibility this season, but those players will need to develop fast if the Minutemen are going to find success in the Colonial Athletic Association.
The following is a look at the UMass defense and special teams position by position.
Defensive Line
STARTERS: Brandon Potvin, Courtney Jackson, Kevin Byrne, Brandon Flanagan
EXPECTED TO PLAY: Bob McLaughlin, Theo Agnew
The defensive line is the most unpredictable part of the entire roster as it features four new starters up front. Flanagan, who'll start at tackle, was an offensive lineman last season, but played defensive line as a freshman at Buffalo. He'll give UMass size at 6-foot-2, 300 pounds and a veteran presence, albeit one learning a new position.
He'll be joined inside by Byrne, a 6-foot-4, 265 pound redshirt freshman.
Potvin, another redshirt freshman and Jackson, a junior, will start at defensive end.
STARTERS: Tyler Holmes, Mike Mele, Perry McIntryre
EXPECTED TO PLAY: D.J. Adeoba, Chad Hunte
UMass' strong linebacker tradition appears to be alive and well. Holmes is a preseason All-American and McIntyre was impressive as a true freshman last year. Mele battled through injuries and a suspension last year but looked good when he played.
He'll start at middle linebacker allowing Holmes to use his speed to make tackles on the edge.
Adeoba and Hunte will likely see their share of action. True freshman Stanley Andre is coming off a strong preseason, but could redshirt to save his eligibility.
STARTERS: Ke'Mon Bailey, Mike Lee
EXPECTED TO PLAY: David Cozzo
The UMass coaches have been excited about Lee's potential since he arrive on campus last year as a freshman, and he played well in camp this year to earn a spot alongside Bailey, who made a successful transition from wide receiver last year.
Cozzo, a senior, is certain to see action in passing downs. True freshmen Antoine Tharpe and Edward St. Vil have both shown promise during camp and could see action if they don't redshirt.
STARTERS: Shane Viveiros, Darren Thellen
EXPECTED TO PLAY: Kumar Davis, James Carven
Thellen's on-the-job training last year when Jeromy Miles was injured has the coaching staff excited about his ability to step in at free safety, while Viveiros was steady in regular action as well. Davis made an impact as a freshman and will likely see regular time in packages.
Special Teams Placekicker
STARTER: Brendon Levengood
Levengood, a redshirt freshman, won the preseason competition over Caleb Violette and Igor Garcia, but it will be interesting to see how much leeway coach Kevin Morris gives him with other options available. Wide receiver Dan Sheeran will hold.
STARTER: Violette
Violette is back after a solid freshman season when he averaged 39.0 yards per punt, a stat that ranked him third in the Colonial Athletic Association.
KICKOFF: Anthony Nelson, Torrey Esalomi
PUNT: Julian Talley
Nelson returned both kicks and punts last year for Hofstra and will join Esalomi on kick returns. Talley, who returned kicks last year, will field punts this season.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Follow UMass coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/GazetteUMass. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at http://www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage.
