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Yesterday, we looked at recruiting on the offensive side of the ball. Today, we're taking a look at the defensive side. We picked up about 11 recruits for offense, leaving about the same for defense.
Defensive End
2014 Roster: Biesemier, Carter, Corney, English, Harold, Jackson, Jones, *Lawe, Moore, Moore
The Hoos have tons of DE depth right now, but almost all of those players are upper-classmen. They did bring in a number of players in the last recruiting class who could play DE, but most of those are DE/OLB hybrids. The Hoos are going to need to restock the DE position over the next two years.
Needs: 3
Top Targets: Clelin Ferrell, Richmond, VA - 4 stars; Darrell Taylor, Hopewell, VA - 4 stars; Jalen Dalton, Clemmons, NC - 4 stars; Channing Hames, Arlington, VA - 3 stars; Houshun Gaines, Rocky Mount, NC - 3 stars; Marcus Ford, Gibsonton, FL - 3 stars
Defensive Tackle
2014 Roster: *Brathwaite, Brown, Chavis, Dean, Miles-Redmond, Wilkins
With Andrew Brown in the fold, the Hoos are pretty well stocked at DT for the forseeable future. That, of course, doesn't mean they won't take another DT if it's somebody they like.
Needs: 1
Top Targets: Tim Settle, Manassas, VA - 5 stars; Darvin Taylor II, Chester, VA - 4 stars; Darian Roseboro, Lincolnton, NC- 4 stars
Outside Linebacker
2014 Roster: Bradshaw, Brim, Brown, Hall, *Hill, Jones, Lee, Peace, *Romero, Valles
A number of the players from the 2014 class could end up here, and yet the Hoos would gladly take a few more players here. This is an important position in Coach Tenuta's defense and the Hoos want to be as deep and as talented as possible. Also, some of these guys will grow into DEs.
Needs: 1
Top Targets: Ricky DeBerry Jr, Richmond, VA - 4 stars; Jordan Fox, Jersey City, NJ - 3 stars
Inside Linebacker
2014 Roster: *Coley, Kiser
This is truly a position of need for the Hoos. Henry Coley moves on after this year and there is only one MLB on the roster behind him. That is Micah Kiser, who has yet to see action in a game. The Hoos need depth and talent here.
Needs: 2
Top Targets: Jahvoni Simmons, Virginia Beach, VA - 4 stars; CJ Stalker, West Chester, OH, 4 stars; Wyatt Cook, Owings Mills, MD - 2 stars
Cornerback
2014 Roster: Canady, Garner, Farrar, Harris, *Hoskey, Latimore, Moore, *Nicholson, Walker
Corner is a position where you want to land at least one prospect in each class. These days, teams need to have 4 or 5 DBs ready to go because of spread offenses and injuries and such. The Hoos are actually very deep and fairly talented with both upperclassmen and underclassmen right now. I think the Hoos would likely take 1 or 2 CBs this year.
Needs: 1
Top Targets: Myles Robinson, Olney, MD - 3 stars; T.J. Griffin, Virginia Beach, Virginia; 3 stars; Sammy Morrison, Washington, DC - 2 stars
Safety
2014 Roster: Blanding, Cook, Cooper, *Harris, *Phelps, Rainey, Thomas, Wahee
The Hoos are pretty stacked at S. Quin Blanding and Malcolm Cook will be freshmen this year and Juan Thornhill is already committed to play FS for the Hoos. Still, the Hoos could look to fill in another SS this year, just in case.
Needs: 1
Top Targets: Jonathan Crawford, Largo, FL - 3 stars; Jahque Alleyne, Virginia Beach, VA - 3 stars
That totals 10 defensive recruits (counting Thornhill), giving us 21 total in the class. That could be it, or it could mean the staff has an extra scholarship or two in their pockets to offer to a late recruit.