The UND defense is coming off a solid 2015 campaign that featured a very good run defense but suspect pass defense.
The defense won UND a couple games early in the year beating Wyoming (24-13) & Portland State (19-17), while the offense was still gelling.
But, they also had their issues in the middle of the schedule, most notably the ugly loss to Idaho State (37-31) at home where they couldn’t stop the pass, road loss to Weber State (25-24) where they couldn’t stop the pass late in the game, and a bad road loss to Montana (42-16) where they couldn’t stop the pass, once again.
There were some injuries in there that caused issues on the back end but the overall play of the defense was not good enough in any of those games.
However, the defense came alive again down the stretch and physically manhandled both Northern Colorado (45-14) and Cal Poly (45-21) to end the season on a high note.
How is the outlook for Spring 2016 when it comes to the defense? Very promising.
UND loses their leading tackler and defensive leader Will Ratelle. That will be a blow to the defense as he covered their arse more than once when things broke down. Ratelle will go down as one of the best ILB’s in UND history.
However, they return 16 of their top 20 tacklers from last season and 7 of the top 10. There is plenty of experience coming back on the defensive side of the ball. In fact, UND only lost four seniors on the defensive side of the ball and only two of them were starters (Ratelle & Idowu). (Returning starters in bold)
2015 UND Defense (Big Sky Ranking)
Scoring Defense = 25.7 (5th)
Total Defense =359.9 yds/game (2nd)
Rushing Defense = 100.1 (1st)
Passing Defense = 259.8 yds/game (9th)
Third Down Defense = 36.3% (4th)
Turnover Margin = -1 (5th)
Defensive Returning Starters = Ten (10)
Defensive Line (3)
At left defensive end, senior Noah Johnson looks to build off a solid junior campaign after transferring in from Junior College prior to the 2015 season. He was a regular in the rotation and did admirably against the pass and run. Also, Johnson has shown the flexibility to play inside on 3rd down in pass rushing nickel situations.
Junior Drew Greely is coming off a shoulder/collarbone injury that kept him out of the last half of the season. All indications are that he is fully healed and ready to go. As always, we expect big things from him again this spring.
Nick Schmitz is looking to crack the rotation this year and will be a valuable depth guy up front. Schmitz played consistently last fall and is a good depth guy.
The defensive line will get an injection of athleticism this spring with Mason Bennett. The freshman should bring a different type of pass rush from the 5-technique than we typically are used to seeing. However, he certainly will have to prove that he can stay healthy and hold up in the run game in order to get on the field and stay in the rotation next fall at a position that is the deepest on the UND roster. Bennett is a guy to watch this spring.
Fellow Canadian freshman Carter Wilson is a similar-sized defensive end that should be an asset in the pass rush, but will have to hone his skill for technique and prove he can engage and get off of the Big Sky offensive tackles in the run game. Wilson will need to add size to play consistently but will bring athleticism to the defensive line.
On the right side, junior Brandon Dranka (along with Greely) has played a lot of snaps already after not redshirting and playing a ton as true freshman. He will be counted on again to be a steady, solid performer up front. Dranka is the most explosive defensive lineman and needs to take that next step and become dominant.
Sophomore Austin Cieslak grabbed our attention as he got more comfortable and gained more confidence during his freshman season. Towards the end of the year, Cieslak was noticeably a consistent disruptive force in the run and pass game for opposing offenses. We fully expect him to do more of the same this spring and beyond. At 6’4″-280, Cieslak is an imposing force but needs to gain consistency in his play as he gets older.
New Mexico transfer Daquan Baker made the move from linebacker to defensive line around midseason last year. While undersized a bit vertically, the sophomore could provide a different element to the UND defensive line as he progresses and gets more reps.
Carl Engwall is a freshman who will be looking to impress the staff this spring after redshirting last fall. Yet another young defensive lineman with a ton of upside who needs to work his tail off to move his way up the depth chart this spring.
While everything is very fluid during the spring, it appears sophomore Tank Harris has earned the nod as the starting nose guard. We certainly saw enough to warrant it during his freshman season, but he will have to prove it as there is plenty of competition at this position. He brings the size but now will be asked to perform every play as he is no longer a freshman.
Senior Alec Carrothers moved down inside last year after starting his career at defensive end. He will be another valuable piece to the depth of the position with his experience and leadership. Carrothers is an every-game guy who will provide valuable reps all season.
Logan Alm is yet another freshman that will be looking to work his way into the rotation. The walk-on from Hawley, MN really surprised the coaching staff last fall and should get a shot this spring to work his way into the rotation. He is one to watch.
Outside Linebacker (2)
Junior Jake Disterhaupt and senior Brian Labat will both be counted on to be the leaders of this position on the field at their respective sides. They combined for 14.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season and are the experienced upperclassmen who will need to help bring along the younger guys at the position.
Dylan Harmston played sparingly at OLB last year during his freshman campaign. This spring will be vital for the sophomore’s development as he will need to start asserting himself as a playmaker off the edge.
Another position change for a defensive player last season saw senior Jawon Johnson move from safety down to OLB. Considering the all variables, Johnson did a pretty good job toward the end of the year without any experience at the position previously. The obvious concern here is being able to be physical in the run game and hold his gap responsibilities. We suspect he has been putting on a little weight to help aide him with that. Also, learning the OLB position and calls will be a tall task after starting his career at safety.
Freshman Keelan Poole, Jade Lawrence, Brock Shaide and Andre Steiger will all be getting their feet wet this spring after playing on scout team all last year. This group has potential to be difference makers early on the outside. Poole and Lawrence are two that had outstanding fall camps as scouts and are going to be looked at for playing time this fall.
Inside Linebacker (1)
Returning starter senior Taj Rich (out) was injured (knee) in the Portland State game and didn’t return for the rest of the season. He will be sitting out spring ball but should be good to go for fall camp.
Junior Connor O’Brien filled in admirably for Rich at the Will linebacker spot last fall, accumulating 61 tackles and 5 TFL’s. O’Brien will probably get limited reps this spring and will be a strong candidate to start at one of the ILB spots come fall camp.
Dylan Bakker returns for his senior season and will be counted on to push for one of the starting ILB spots in fall camp. Bakker played in 7 games last fall but never gained any consistent reps. This spring will be big for him to show he is ready to make next step.
Juco transfer Dijon Murray (junior) was brought in at Xmas break to provide immediate depth and push Bakker/Rich/O’Brien for a starting job. Murray is very well built and showed good speed for an ILB so we are excited to see what he can bring to the field this spring. His biggest obstacle will be learning the defense and the checks that ILB’s make, which is why it’s huge that he joined team in time for spring ball.
Freshman Donnell Rodgers is a guy to watch. The coaches have said that Rodgers impressed during scouts last fall and they are counting on him to make a splash this spring. Guys like Rodgers are the body types that play most of the special team, also. This makes it so crucial that they step up, learn the defense and show they can be counted on as a freshman.
Senior Jake Hanson will once again provide depth at ILB. The former QB out of Grafton, ND has done whatever he could to be a part of the team and hopefully will earn some playing time this spring, whether it be on special teams or at ILB.
Cornerback (2)
Deion Harris is a returning starter at cornerback. The junior started all 11 games for UND last fall, notching 2 INT’s and 12 PBU’s. Harris was inconsistent in his play, showing flashes of brilliance at times but then getting beat badly at others. He played as a true freshman so this is only his second full spring session. Harris has the size (6’3″) to be an outstanding cornerback but needs to mature and learn the game. This spring will help him in that process.
Jahmere Irvin-Sills (junior) will be the other starting cornerback this spring due to sophomore Tyus Carter (out) being out with a shoulder injury. Irvin-Sills was also somewhat inconsistent in his play last fall after transferring in from Mississippi State. Hopefully, now that he is acclimated to Grand Forks and UND he will settle in. UND needs guys like Sills to step up and improve for 2016.
Junior Chris Carter has been a backup his first two years and will continue to battle for playing time behind T. Carter and Harris. He is a very technically sound corner who plays very aggressively. We will be watching his development this spring.
Freshman Torrey Hunt joined the team at Xmas break after attending the Naval Prep Academy last fall. Hunt is a bit of an X-factor at corner as he was a pretty heralded recruit out of high school. Corner is a position that needs depth and he should provide it. Definitely be watching to see what UND has here.
Garrett Bollant is a backup at cornerback. He saw some playing time last fall but will more than likely be a depth guy for now.
Safety (2)
Junior starter Cole Reyes will be sitting out this spring with a hand injury. Reyes was an all-conference performer last fall and will be the leader of the defense come fall camp. We are expecting huge things from Reyes next fall. If he stays healthy he will be an All-American candidate.
Fellow junior starter Zach Arnell (out) was injured last fall and will sit out spring ball, as well. Arnell and Reyes formed a strong safety combo with good size in their three games together before Arnell was taken out in the NDSU game. Arnell should be good to go come August.
Tanner Palmborg came out of nowhere last fall and played as a true freshman, due to injuries. The walk-on actually played pretty well considering he barely knew the defense and was 4 months out of high school. Palmborg brings good size (6’1″-200) to the UND secondary and will be counted on for quality depth come fall camp. This spring will be big for him.
Junior Charles Flowers will once again be a backup at safety after his move from cornerback. Like Palmborg, he needs to get better and provide quality depth at a position that hasn’t had it for awhile. Flowers played sparingly last fall.
A freshman that UND is counting on to push for playing time at safety is Vashon Tucker. The redshirt freshman joined the team during fall camp last year and comes in with pretty good accolades. Tucker is one to watch this spring.
Trent Galkoski is a walk-on from UMC that joined the team last winter. He will be fighting for a spot on the roster this spring. This spring will provide more about what Galkoski brings to the team.
