Updated list of returning defensive starters for 2020

[Ghost of the HEB]

Mika Tafua
Devin Lloyd
That’s it. With Guidry entering the draft and Hubert not likely to be ready when the season starts, the defensive secondary looks to be an absolute mystery next year. Sewell did start the bowl game, but I’d hardly call him a returning starter.
While I trust this coaching staff to produce an overachieving defense, I’m expecting some mighty growing pains defensively next year.

[sweetgrass]

we’ll probably see a couple highly recruited freshman in the mix and I’m sure the transfer portal will be flooded again with guys looking for a new home. I think Stanford alone has 12 guys in the portal.

[highlandute7]

Looking at the portal, there are quite a few players on there from the DB/S side. I would be looking to see who we could get from there. There are a few from LSU, Stanford. One from South Carolina – maybe Bentley could get him to come? I think we should be fine on the DL. Clarkson will for sure be a starting CB.

Scalley better get on the phone.

Not sure how accurate this is but they seem to keep it updated often.

https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Football/TransferPortal/

[User Suspended]

Who are the backups to all these starters? Did no one get any playing time this year???

[BleedsRedUte]

Shouldn’t Shelley be in the mix at least in the two deep, if he was being looked at for DB help in the bowl game?  I don’t think he played, and wonder about his experience, but he  isn’t the first athlete from the offensive side to be switched to defense.  

[Utah5410]

You asked already.

My guess:
CB – Clark Phillips
CB – Broughton ( did play a little hot a pic)
NB – Malone matalele – has played but mostly on ST. Has been in the program for two years. Was a good recruit out of CALI.

[EagleMountainUte]

DL always has “starters” and when some transfer for lack of reps, they end up being a starter at schools like USC. 

Lund was a starter with the three LBer set. Obviously he has some personal issues to sort through. 

Defensive backfield is a huge question mark obviously. Replacing absolute playmakers. JJ was pretty damn good his freshman season. Made a few mistakes. I expect Clark Phillips to be similar. 

Honestly it is going to be on the offense to score a lot I think. 

[Trailgoat]

There’s around 10+ back up DBs on the roster (not including Shelley). What’s the report on guys like, Clemons, Cotton, King, Lowe, Rawls, Pleasant-Johnson, Santiago, Taylor that are on the roster? I agree putting Sewel in the pool of non-starters. 

[Utah5410]

I think Sewell will be our next line backer.

[Jay]

I would guess
edge- tafua and tupai or fillinger
tackle- pututau and tonga
backer- lloyd and maybe lund? big question mark there, could be mataafa or carlson
cb- broughton and phillips
nickle- mataele
Safety- Hubert (when healthy) and another big question mark, between sewell, lowe, ritchie, and shelley too

[crazyute]

Moala starts over Tonga at DT

[Jay]

I actually think they’ll split time.