ESPN article on top 25 "future" defenses

[jensberg]

This article tries to project this year and the next two future years. Ohio State came in fifth, Wisconsin 9th, Iowa 13th and Northwestern 15th in the country.

 

[rogerkim]

Link to article?

 

[NJCat]

Link to article?

Might be a pay site, I have a subscription to ESPN+ for Bundesliga coverage......

Ranking college football's 25 best defenses over the next three seasons

While offense seems to be the focus of most winning teams as of late, defense isn't an afterthought. Which teams look in the best shape over the course of the next three seasons?

www.espn.com

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Might be a pay site, I have a subscription to ESPN+ for Bundesliga coverage......

Ranking college football's 25 best defenses over the next three seasons

While offense seems to be the focus of most winning teams as of late, defense isn't an afterthought. Which teams look in the best shape over the course of the next three seasons?

www.espn.com

It is indeed ESPN+/paid.

 

[NJCat]

It is indeed ESPN+/paid.

14. Northwestern Wildcats​

2020 future defense ranking: Not ranked

Scouting the Wildcats: Northwestern makes a big jump in the rankings after, in hindsight, being unfairly punished for a historically bad offense during the 2019 season. The Wildcats had been good to very good on defense since 2015. Last season, they became elite, finishing in the top five in several key categories. Northwestern is at a point where it can reload at most spots. The question is how the defense will fare without veteran coordinator Mike Hankwitz, who retired after 51 years in coaching. Longtime NFL assistant Jim O'Neil takes over a unit that projects well up front and in the secondary. Northwestern loses cornerback Greg Newsome II, a first-round NFL draft pick, but returns All-America safety Brandon Joseph, only a sophomore. The cornerback position projects well with returning starter A.J. Hampton, a junior, and redshirt sophomore Cam Mitchell, who could be the group's next star. Building depth alongside Joseph is key, for the short term (senior Bryce Jackson) or the long term (sophomore Coco Azema).

An experienced defensive line will feature seniors Joe Spivak and Trevor Kent at tackle, junior end Adetomiwa Adebawore and senior end Samdup Miller, who opted out in 2020. The Wildcats need more pass-rushing prowess for O'Neil's scheme, whether it's from junior Devin O'Rourke or from others, including decorated incoming freshman Najee Story. Sophomore tackle Jordan Butler, who started three games in 2020, helps the long-term outlook there. Fifth-year senior Chris Bergin is the only returning starter at linebacker, but senior Peter McIntyre has waited his turn at the middle spot behind Paddy Fisher. The group's future comes down to the development of non-seniors such as Khalid Jones, Bryce Gallagher and Jaylen Jones.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

14. Northwestern Wildcats​

2020 future defense ranking: Not ranked

Scouting the Wildcats: Northwestern makes a big jump in the rankings after, in hindsight, being unfairly punished for a historically bad offense during the 2019 season. The Wildcats had been good to very good on defense since 2015. Last season, they became elite, finishing in the top five in several key categories. Northwestern is at a point where it can reload at most spots. The question is how the defense will fare without veteran coordinator Mike Hankwitz, who retired after 51 years in coaching. Longtime NFL assistant Jim O'Neil takes over a unit that projects well up front and in the secondary. Northwestern loses cornerback Greg Newsome II, a first-round NFL draft pick, but returns All-America safety Brandon Joseph, only a sophomore. The cornerback position projects well with returning starter A.J. Hampton, a junior, and redshirt sophomore Cam Mitchell, who could be the group's next star. Building depth alongside Joseph is key, for the short term (senior Bryce Jackson) or the long term (sophomore Coco Azema).

An experienced defensive line will feature seniors Joe Spivak and Trevor Kent at tackle, junior end Adetomiwa Adebawore and senior end Samdup Miller, who opted out in 2020. The Wildcats need more pass-rushing prowess for O'Neil's scheme, whether it's from junior Devin O'Rourke or from others, including decorated incoming freshman Najee Story. Sophomore tackle Jordan Butler, who started three games in 2020, helps the long-term outlook there. Fifth-year senior Chris Bergin is the only returning starter at linebacker, but senior Peter McIntyre has waited his turn at the middle spot behind Paddy Fisher. The group's future comes down to the development of non-seniors such as Khalid Jones, Bryce Gallagher and Jaylen Jones.

Shady.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Might be a pay site, I have a subscription to ESPN+ for Bundesliga coverage......

Ranking college football's 25 best defenses over the next three seasons

While offense seems to be the focus of most winning teams as of late, defense isn't an afterthought. Which teams look in the best shape over the course of the next three seasons?

www.espn.com

You pay for Budesliga coverage but not for the Wildcat Report. How sad. 🤦‍♂️

 

[rmndcat]

This article tries to project this year and the next two future years. Ohio State came in fifth, Wisconsin 9th, Iowa 13th and Northwestern 15th in the country.

Interesting. OSU and 3 B1G West teams.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Interesting. OSU and 3 B1G West teams.

B1G West speed?

 

[darmok]

You pay for Budesliga coverage but not for the Wildcat Report. How sad. 🤦‍♂️

🙄

 

[EvanstonCat]

14. Northwestern Wildcats​

2020 future defense ranking: Not ranked

Scouting the Wildcats: Northwestern makes a big jump in the rankings after, in hindsight, being unfairly punished for a historically bad offense during the 2019 season. The Wildcats had been good to very good on defense since 2015. Last season, they became elite, finishing in the top five in several key categories. Northwestern is at a point where it can reload at most spots. The question is how the defense will fare without veteran coordinator Mike Hankwitz, who retired after 51 years in coaching. Longtime NFL assistant Jim O'Neil takes over a unit that projects well up front and in the secondary. Northwestern loses cornerback Greg Newsome II, a first-round NFL draft pick, but returns All-America safety Brandon Joseph, only a sophomore. The cornerback position projects well with returning starter A.J. Hampton, a junior, and redshirt sophomore Cam Mitchell, who could be the group's next star. Building depth alongside Joseph is key, for the short term (senior Bryce Jackson) or the long term (sophomore Coco Azema).

An experienced defensive line will feature seniors Joe Spivak and Trevor Kent at tackle, junior end Adetomiwa Adebawore and senior end Samdup Miller, who opted out in 2020. The Wildcats need more pass-rushing prowess for O'Neil's scheme, whether it's from junior Devin O'Rourke or from others, including decorated incoming freshman Najee Story. Sophomore tackle Jordan Butler, who started three games in 2020, helps the long-term outlook there. Fifth-year senior Chris Bergin is the only returning starter at linebacker, but senior Peter McIntyre has waited his turn at the middle spot behind Paddy Fisher. The group's future comes down to the development of non-seniors such as Khalid Jones, Bryce Gallagher and Jaylen Jones.

Funny, it's free to me.