After The University of Memphis football team ranked last in all Conference USA defensive categories last season, the Tigers are seeking a defensive makeover, with key upperclassmen and special teams expected to lead the way.
"The defense I think would serve as the strength of our program," head coach Larry Porter said. "Within our defense, I think our front line is as strong as any in this league. We don't have all the positions settled, but creating competition is what this time of the year is all about."
Second year defensive coordinator Jay Hopson will have plenty of weapons on the defensive side of the ball, especially with the the return of 6-2, 275-pound senior defensive tackle Frank Trotter, 6-3, 230-pound junior linebacker DeRon Furr and 6-5, 350-pound junior defensive tackle Dontari Poe. Underclassmen including 6-3, 260-pound defensive lineman Corey Jones, cornerbacks Taurean Nixon and Lonnie Ballentine and 6-0, 230-pound linebacker Fred Harvey will be expected make an immediate impact as well.
Porter said he expects all-conference accolades for Trotter this year.
"I am telling you, he will be an all-conference performer this season," he said. "He's in that new weight room every day and he's benching over 400 pounds and squatting over 600 pounds, so I think this is his year."
Trotter gained early recognition last season with 80 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss and five quarterback hurries that earned him honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition.
"The defensive line is the most experienced group on this team," Trotter said. "People are already expecting nothing from us this year so it will be easy to prove the doubters wrong. It is easier to figure things out on defense, so we already know what to do scheme wise and we have players ready to play."
Lining up alongside Trotter will be Poe, a starter since his freshman year who was named one of the top ten strongest players in college football by ESPN.com's Bruce Feldman. A force to be reckoned with on the interior, Poe logged 41 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks last season.
On special teams, sophomore punter Tom Hornsey will look to build on his All-American and C-USA all-freshmen season where he led the nation with 43 yards per punt. Junior kicker Paulo Henriques hopes to start this season where last season left off, making his last nine field goal attempts, three of which were over 43 yards.
"For us it's about being improved," Porter said. "I think this team is ready to roar back and they've accepted the challenge of being a better football team and accepted the challenge of putting a better product on the field."
