Projecting SMU’s defensive depth chart
SMU Football is just two weeks away from its opening game against Louisiana Tech, a perfect time to project the defensive depth chart for the Mustangs.
SMU defensive line
The Mustangs have a shot to have a difference making defensive line this season. Headlined up front by three big, athletic defensive linemen starting, SMU should be improved controlling the line of scrimmage. Elijah Roberts has worked his tail off since arriving and is holding down the strong-side defensive end spot with a vice grip. With that added size at end, Jordan Miller at nose tackle and DeVere Levelston at defensive tackle have brought the size to hold down the line of scrimmage. Behind them, SMU has options. At strong-side defensive end, Je’lin Samuels has seen ample time on the edge opposite Isaiah Smith in some packages. Smith figures to back up Nelson Paul and Cam Robertson at the Bandit position. Samuels length has him able to hold down the strong-side defensive end spot, but he is drastically different than Roberts. SMU could get creative and go bigger by moving in players like Mike Yoan Sandjo-Nijiki in the middle to kick out another defensive linemen to strong-side end. Stephon Wright figures to be heavily in the rotation with Kori Roberson.
DE1 Elijah Roberts, DE2 Je’lin Samuels
DT1 DeVere Levelston, DT2 Elijah Chatman
NT1 Jordan Miller, NT2 Kori Roberson
BANDIT1 Nelson Paul, BANDIT2 Cam Robertson
SMU linebackers
Liberty transfer Ahmad Walker is expected to take over the middle linebacker spot and has the full trust of Scott Symons in the middle. Behind him is probably going to be Temple transfer Kobe Wilson, but true freshman Alex Kilgore deserves some burn as well with the way he’s played. At Will linebacker, it’s a battle that could extend into the regular season. Chris Adimora has made plenty of plays in fall camp and right now, I’m giving him the slight edge. It wouldn’t shock me though if it was JaQwondis Burns starting next to Walker. Either way, both players bring different skillsets to the table that should allow them to see plenty of snaps. The linebacker position is one where we’ll have a close eye on how they perform this fall as they could be the key between a good and great defense.
MIKE LB1 Ahmad Walker, MIKE LB2 Kobe Wilson
WILL LB1 Chris Adimora, WILL LB2 JaQwondis Burns
SMU secondary
The starting cornerbacks appear locked in, even with Charles Woods overcoming his heat issue earlier in camp. Woods is expected to be a true lockdown cornerback for the Mustangs opposite Chris Megginson. Behind them, SMU has a trio of players who could see some time. AJ Davis and Jahari Rogers look like the backups on one side while Kevaris Hall has had a positive fall camp.
At safety, Jonathan McGill has stepped in and been a difference maker right away. Bryan Massey has had a terrific fall camp and the good news for SMU is Ahmaad Moses is more than capable to play plenty of snaps. Brandon Crossley held down the nickel role in a battle with CJ Sanders. Crossley finished the 2022 season strong and is even more comfortable in his role at the nickel spot entering 2023.
CB1 Charles Woods, CB2 AJ Davis, Jahari Rogers
CB1 Chris Megginson, CB2 Kevaris Hall
FS1 Jonathan McGill, FS2 Isaiah Nwokobia
SS1 Bryan Massey, SS2 Ahmaad Moses
NICKEL1 Brandon Crossley, NICKEL2 CJ Sanders
Specialists
SMU returns all of its starting specialists. Whoever ends up returning kicks and punts, SMU has some dynamic options in this piece of the game. Bryan Massey was one of the best kick returners in the country when healthy and I think he gets back into his groove at that position. At punt returner, it’s less clear. SMU’s had Jordan Kerley, Jake Bailey, Roderick Daniels and Jaxson Lavender really in position to catch punts. SMU could rotate this spot a bit, but all the options are dynamic.
K1 Colin Rogers
P1 Ryan Bujcevski, P2 Josh Leff
LS1 Will Benton IV, LS2 Jovoni Borbon
KR1 Bryan Massey, KR2 Roderick Daniels
PR1 Jordan Kerley, PR2 Jake Bailey
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