Conference
USA takes a lot of shit and a lot of jokes, but the top of the conference is
legit in terms of G5 conferences. Marshall and Louisiana Tech have been
consistent performers for most of the 2010s, and Kiffin has built FAU into a
team that should be able to punch up at least against all but the blue bloods
this season. The bottom is truly bad, but the footprint is in fertile
recruiting grounds.
The average power rating for the Conference
USA squads is -6.32.
The average power rating for the Conference
USA East squads is -4.55.
The average power rating for the Conference
USA West squads is -8.09.
Note: Glosssary and P.L.U.M.P. Page
Team
|
Adj.
2017
W/L
|
%
Yards
Ret.
|
%
Touches
Ret.
|
%
Line
Starts
Ret.
|
%
Tackles
Ret.
|
%
Passes
Def.
Ret.
|
247
Sports
Score
|
Total
Points
|
East Division
|
||||||||
FAU
|
5.93
|
52.75%
|
56.40%
|
23.46%
|
91.57%
|
88.37%
|
144.68
|
9.33
|
Marshall
|
-1.01
|
62.81%
|
62.48%
|
78.63%
|
79.89%
|
80.39%
|
152.81
|
2.49
|
Old Dominion
|
-8.88
|
80.47%
|
79.74%
|
93.77%
|
82.52%
|
82.22%
|
112.37
|
-4.21
|
Middle Tennessee
|
-3.81
|
71.84%
|
72.46%
|
80.77%
|
69.43%
|
44.00%
|
126.8
|
-4.73
|
FIU
|
0.23
|
48.42%
|
52.99%
|
72.46%
|
39.55%
|
32.35%
|
134.04
|
-7.12
|
WKU
|
-9.02
|
34.41%
|
42.41%
|
41.13%
|
65.67%
|
77.08%
|
131.39
|
-1248
|
Charlotte
|
-18.71
|
84.05%
|
81.41%
|
67.92%
|
84.71%
|
83.87%
|
106.5
|
-15.17
|
West Division
|
||||||||
North Texas
|
2.43
|
80.24%
|
80.51%
|
78.69%
|
66.13%
|
57.14%
|
113.86
|
4.62
|
Louisiana Tech
|
-1.43
|
71.82%
|
67.50%
|
84.03%
|
72.58%
|
81.58%
|
134.97
|
2.99
|
UAB
|
-6.00
|
98.07%
|
97.62%
|
72.60%
|
62.65%
|
40.82%
|
101.91
|
-3.39
|
Southern Miss
|
-0.31
|
59.84%
|
58.08%
|
44.04%
|
48.13%
|
17.65%
|
138.85
|
-8.03
|
UTSA
|
-5.74
|
24.73%
|
27.80%
|
15.75%
|
55.79%
|
61.76%
|
130.64
|
-13.98
|
Rice
|
-15.44
|
96.25%
|
95.83%
|
30.52%
|
50.73%
|
62.50%
|
105.13
|
-17.39
|
UTEP
|
-16.66
|
63.48%
|
66.84%
|
29.86%
|
59.90%
|
77.14%
|
90.72
|
-21.43
|
The
headliner in CUSA is FAU and in a bit of a surprise the defense will be the
rock on which Kiffin’s best team will be built. They bring back 90% of the
production on defense and, as long as, Kiffin can work what’s been pretty
consistent magic on offense over his career FAU will be just fine. Between
Marshall, ODU, NT, and La Tech you have a strong contingent returning no less
than 57% of their returning production on either side of the ball. All-in-all
this should be the deepest C-USA we’ve seen in quite some time. If FAU can
produce a strong showing in its opener against Oklahoma, the conference should
stave off the usual laughter. The bottom will still be weak, UTEP especially,
but FIU, UTSA, Southern Miss, and WKU have recruited well for G5 schools and if
a batch of relatively strong hires should mean the middle is better than at any
other time in recent memory, should help a conference that needs a significant
face lift and rehab of its image post-realignment.
Top Returning Offensive
Producers (Above
average production)
Quarterbacks (Minimum 120 Pass
Attempts)
|
||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
AY/A
|
AY/R
|
Comp%
|
Sack%
|
Jason Driskel
|
4
|
FAU
|
74
|
210
|
8.48
|
7.85
|
66.55%
|
2.50%
|
Kwadra Griggs
|
4
|
SoMi
|
75
|
225
|
7.92
|
5.43
|
55.85%
|
3.60%
|
A.J. Erdely
|
4
|
UAB
|
76
|
220
|
7.28
|
7.53
|
60.65%
|
6.40%
|
Mason Fine
|
3
|
NT
|
71
|
180
|
7.78
|
4.74
|
63.41%
|
7.10%
|
J'Mar Smith
|
3
|
LT
|
73
|
230
|
7.48
|
6.61
|
55.99%
|
5.80%
|
Brent Stockstill
|
4
|
MTSU
|
72
|
221
|
6.78
|
5.96
|
57.74%
|
5.20%
|
Keon Howard
|
3
|
SoMi
|
73
|
205
|
6.64
|
4.22
|
56.47%
|
2.30%
|
John Urzua
|
3
|
MTSU
|
75
|
189
|
5.69
|
5.58
|
61.82%
|
4.30%
|
Steven Williams
|
2
|
ODU
|
76
|
196
|
4.37
|
5.24
|
55.89%
|
5.70%
|
Hasaan Klugh
|
4
|
CHAR
|
73
|
192
|
4.06
|
6.95
|
47.67%
|
6.70%
|
Ryan Metz
|
4
|
UTEP
|
75
|
205
|
3.27
|
5.09
|
48.46%
|
6.50%
|
Running Backs (Minimum 120 Touches)
|
||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tou.
|
AY/R
|
AY/T
|
RBP>12
|
Devin Singletary
|
3
|
FAU
|
69
|
200
|
320
|
8.33
|
9.05
|
31.8
|
Spencer Brown
|
2
|
UAB
|
72
|
235
|
254
|
6.05
|
10.5
|
21.24
|
Keion Davis
|
4
|
MARS
|
73
|
210
|
198
|
5.15
|
5.83
|
12.3
|
Benny LeMay
|
3
|
CHAR
|
69
|
211
|
146
|
5.61
|
10.55
|
11.66
|
Tyler King
|
2
|
MARS
|
71
|
190
|
170
|
6.01
|
5.39
|
11.61
|
Nic Smith
|
2
|
NT
|
70
|
182
|
156
|
5.76
|
6.87
|
10.99
|
Jalen Rhodes
|
4
|
UTSA
|
69
|
200
|
149
|
5.6
|
7.4
|
10.52
|
Jeremy Cox
|
4
|
ODU
|
71
|
217
|
169
|
4.66
|
7.04
|
10.37
|
Brad Anderson
|
2
|
MTSU
|
68
|
170
|
122
|
5.52
|
10.15
|
9.5
|
Shawndarrius Phillips
|
3
|
FIU
|
71
|
225
|
114
|
5.22
|
7.36
|
7.65
|
Wide Receivers (Minimum 180
Targets)
|
||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tar.
|
AY/T
|
Cat%
|
WRP>18
|
Tyre Brady
|
4
|
MARS
|
75
|
208
|
101
|
10.86
|
61.39%
|
12.29
|
Ty Lee
|
3
|
MTSU
|
69
|
163
|
119
|
8.84
|
66.39%
|
12.22
|
Michael Lawrence
|
3
|
NT
|
70
|
180
|
87
|
10.3
|
71.26%
|
12.17
|
Teddy Veal
|
4
|
LT
|
72
|
189
|
120
|
9.04
|
61.67%
|
11.69
|
Jalen Guyton
|
3
|
NT
|
73
|
194
|
80
|
11.86
|
61.25%
|
11.36
|
Willie Wright
|
2
|
FAU
|
68
|
155
|
82
|
9.42
|
68.29%
|
10.24
|
Andre Wilson
|
4
|
UAB
|
69
|
179
|
84
|
9.44
|
64.29%
|
9.81
|
Lucky Jackson
|
3
|
WKU
|
73
|
185
|
62
|
10.61
|
62.90%
|
8.84
|
Rhashid Bonnette
|
3
|
LT
|
72
|
169
|
53
|
11.71
|
62.26%
|
8.79
|
Rico Bussey Jr
|
3
|
NT
|
74
|
191
|
84
|
9.67
|
55.95%
|
8.75
|
That
conference rehab will start with a strong crop of returning producers at QB.
Led by a quintet of QBs who averaged over 7 adjusted yards per pass. Of those
FAU’s Drisket and UAB’s Erdely both averaged over 7 yards adjusted on the
ground and posted completion percentages above 60%. If all five QBs can grow in
2018 you’re looking at a conference that could potentially have five QBs
averaging over 8 adjusted yards per attempt which would be some Big XII level
of QB efficiency. Driskel and Griggs are joined by back standout backfield
mates. Junior Devin Singletary (FAU) and sophomore Spencer Brown (UAB) posted
production scores that were comparable to much more established running backs
nationally. Singletary was exceptional in both fazes of the game. The diminutive
Singletary probably can’t reproduce his touchdown production from his sophomore
season (33) but the jump from year 2 to 3 could see him do something extremely
impressive from an efficiency standpoint in 2018. Brown gets a bump from his
his 4 receptions for 42 yards (surely to regress from 10.5 yards per
reception), but as a freshman he carried the rock 250 times for 1300+ yards and
should combine for a fearsome attack for the Blazers with Erdely. Marshall’s
two headed attack of junior Keion Davis and sophomore Tyler King should present
a safety net for whomever takes over for departed QB Chase Litton. The new
Marshall QB will also have the help of returning receiver 6’3” 208 pound
receiver who had an efficient 101 target season last year averaging over 10
yards adjusted yards per target. The biggest benefactor of returning receiver talent
will be North Texas QB Marcus Fine. Fine a slight 180 lbs is part of a trio of
Juniors who will lead the Mean Green passing attack along with Michael Lawrence
and Jalen Guyton. Both Guyton, a former Notre Dame recruit, and Lawrence were
extremely efficient on under 100 targets last season (80 and 87 respectively).
A step forward from all three, along with Rico Bussey (9.67 AY/T), could make
North Texas the most explosive passing game in the conference next season.
Overall, it’s going to be a good year for offenses in conference and if La Tech
can find a QB, their usually potent passing game has a chance to keep things
rolling with Teddy Veal (9.04 AY/T on 120 targets) and Rhashid Bonnette (11.71
AY/T). At least on offense then, C-USA is shaping up to be mini-Big XII.
Top Returning Defensive
Producers (Above
average production)
Interior Defensive Linemen (Minimum
12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Points
|
Anthony Johnson
|
4
|
FIU
|
75
|
291
|
33
|
8.5
|
7
|
2
|
156.5
|
Miles Fox
|
4
|
ODU
|
73
|
292
|
41.5
|
9
|
5.5
|
0
|
125
|
Roe Wilkins
|
3
|
Rice
|
75
|
265
|
26.5
|
8.5
|
6.5
|
0
|
125
|
Ryan Bee
|
4
|
MARS
|
79
|
280
|
32.5
|
7.5
|
5.5
|
1
|
123.75
|
Garrett Marino
|
3
|
UAB
|
74
|
285
|
27
|
8
|
1
|
3
|
117.5
|
Channing Hames
|
3
|
MARS
|
77
|
260
|
18
|
7.5
|
4.5
|
1
|
112.38
|
Anthony Rush
|
4
|
UAB
|
77
|
340
|
25.5
|
9
|
0
|
1
|
94.88
|
Kevin Strong Jr
|
4
|
UTSA
|
76
|
295
|
21
|
7.5
|
3
|
0
|
88.5
|
Zach Duncan
|
4
|
CHAR
|
76
|
259
|
28
|
7
|
3
|
0
|
86.25
|
Daniel Appouh
|
4
|
ODU
|
76
|
249
|
18.5
|
6.5
|
3.5
|
0
|
83.75
|
Preston Gordon
|
4
|
Rice
|
73
|
280
|
26
|
4.5
|
1
|
2
|
76.25
|
Roderick Young
|
4
|
NT
|
73
|
284
|
34
|
6.5
|
2
|
0
|
76
|
Jordan Ferguson
|
2
|
MTSU
|
74
|
280
|
28
|
5.5
|
1
|
1
|
75.25
|
Pat Toal Jr
|
4
|
ODU
|
76
|
316
|
25
|
5.5
|
3
|
0
|
73.5
|
Malik Manciel
|
3
|
MTSU
|
75
|
257
|
22.5
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
66.38
|
Keontaye Garner
|
4
|
LT
|
76
|
280
|
11
|
2.5
|
0.5
|
3
|
65.63
|
Ty Tyler
|
3
|
MARS
|
75
|
260
|
15.5
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
64.38
|
Steven Leggett
|
4
|
FAU
|
73
|
290
|
24
|
5.5
|
1.5
|
0
|
61.63
|
Jordan Bradford
|
4
|
LT
|
74
|
280
|
30.5
|
4.5
|
2
|
0
|
59.13
|
LaDarius Harris
|
4
|
SoMi
|
73
|
280
|
24.5
|
5.5
|
1
|
0
|
57.88
|
LaDarius Hamilton
|
3
|
NT
|
75
|
253
|
31
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
56.25
|
Edge Rushers (Minimum 12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Points
|
Oshane Ximines
|
4
|
ODU
|
75
|
247
|
35.5
|
14
|
8.5
|
3
|
272.09
|
Fermin Silva
|
4
|
FIU
|
74
|
235
|
41.5
|
14
|
7
|
0
|
186.41
|
Leighton McCarthy
|
3
|
FAU
|
75
|
205
|
40.5
|
9
|
4.5
|
2
|
153.72
|
Eric Banks
|
3
|
UTSA
|
77
|
240
|
19.5
|
7.5
|
1.5
|
1
|
145.31
|
Hunter Snyder
|
4
|
FAU
|
79
|
260
|
40
|
8
|
6
|
2
|
126.5
|
Jaylon Ferguson
|
4
|
LT
|
77
|
269
|
32
|
9.5
|
7
|
0
|
124.22
|
Tim Ward
|
4
|
ODU
|
78
|
243
|
28
|
10
|
3
|
1
|
118.13
|
Jacques Turner
|
2
|
SoMi
|
73
|
247
|
15.5
|
7.5
|
4
|
0
|
107
|
Off-Ball Linebackers (Minimum 12
Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Points
|
Khalil Brooks
|
3
|
MTSU
|
71
|
200
|
61.5
|
17
|
7.5
|
1
|
139.08
|
Rashad Smith
|
3
|
FAU
|
74
|
210
|
74
|
12
|
6
|
5
|
138.15
|
Azeez Al-Shaair
|
4
|
FAU
|
74
|
228
|
109
|
10.5
|
2.5
|
4
|
136.57
|
Chase Hancock
|
4
|
MARS
|
74
|
218
|
82.5
|
9.5
|
2
|
7
|
122.35
|
Paxton Schrimsher
|
3
|
SoMi
|
75
|
225
|
37
|
11
|
5.5
|
3
|
119.34
|
E.J. Ejiya
|
4
|
NT
|
75
|
223
|
80
|
12
|
7
|
0
|
115.59
|
Darius Harris
|
4
|
MTSU
|
74
|
227
|
56.5
|
7.5
|
4.5
|
6
|
111.36
|
Juwan Foggie
|
4
|
CHAR
|
73
|
237
|
58.5
|
5.5
|
0
|
6
|
97.4
|
Racheem Boothe
|
2
|
SoMi
|
72
|
210
|
53.5
|
9
|
3.5
|
1
|
90.63
|
Jordan Young
|
2
|
ODU
|
75
|
222
|
61
|
6
|
1.5
|
3
|
86.87
|
Jeff Gemmell
|
3
|
CHAR
|
75
|
233
|
78.5
|
7.5
|
1
|
0
|
85.81
|
Dae'Von Washington
|
4
|
LT
|
70
|
215
|
57
|
5
|
0.5
|
3
|
79.03
|
Omari Cobb
|
3
|
MARS
|
76
|
230
|
28
|
8.5
|
3
|
1
|
76.73
|
Marvin Branch Jr
|
4
|
ODU
|
74
|
222
|
69
|
3.5
|
0
|
5
|
73.39
|
Brandon Garner
|
4
|
NT
|
71
|
221
|
52
|
6.5
|
2
|
3
|
73.11
|
Anthony Butler
|
3
|
CHAR
|
72
|
214
|
52.5
|
6.5
|
2
|
2
|
68.1
|
Artis Johnson
|
4
|
MARS
|
73
|
220
|
37
|
6
|
1.5
|
1
|
66.22
|
Juwon Young
|
4
|
MARS
|
74
|
248
|
28.5
|
3
|
0.5
|
3
|
56.67
|
Jeremy Sangster
|
4
|
SoMi
|
72
|
233
|
41.5
|
7
|
2
|
0
|
55.54
|
Masai Whyte
|
4
|
WKU
|
72
|
225
|
49
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
54.63
|
Tyriq Harris
|
3
|
CHAR
|
74
|
245
|
35.5
|
4.5
|
1.5
|
0
|
52.67
|
Frankie Hernandez
|
4
|
MARS
|
74
|
220
|
38.5
|
5.5
|
1.5
|
1
|
51.29
|
Sage Lewis
|
3
|
FIU
|
73
|
240
|
48
|
5
|
0
|
1
|
51.25
|
Cornerbacks (Minimum 12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Points
|
Amik Robertson
|
2
|
LT
|
69
|
172
|
57
|
7.5
|
2
|
11
|
113
|
Chris Jackson
|
3
|
MARS
|
72
|
177
|
47
|
2.5
|
0.5
|
13
|
82.63
|
Shleton Lewis
|
4
|
FAU
|
72
|
185
|
39
|
0
|
0
|
12
|
80
|
Chris Tooley
|
3
|
FAU
|
71
|
178
|
28
|
1
|
0
|
9
|
72.5
|
DeAndre Farris
|
4
|
WKU
|
70
|
190
|
47
|
1.5
|
0
|
14
|
63
|
Nik Needham
|
4
|
UTEP
|
72
|
190
|
44
|
4.5
|
1
|
9
|
56.75
|
Joe Joe Headen
|
2
|
ODU
|
70
|
173
|
32
|
1
|
0
|
8
|
50
|
Brandon Douglas-Dotson
|
2
|
Rice
|
69
|
180
|
29
|
3
|
0
|
8
|
46.5
|
Kemon Hall
|
4
|
NT
|
71
|
185
|
61
|
1
|
0
|
9
|
44
|
Trey Spencer
|
4
|
LT
|
71
|
180
|
12
|
1
|
1
|
5
|
41.75
|
L'Jarius Sneed
|
3
|
LT
|
73
|
191
|
30
|
1
|
1
|
7
|
39.25
|
Broderick Thomas
|
4
|
UAB
|
73
|
195
|
81
|
3
|
0
|
3
|
38.5
|
Kahani Smith
|
4
|
UTEP
|
73
|
190
|
38
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
36.5
|
Kalon Beverly
|
4
|
UTEP
|
73
|
195
|
34
|
2.5
|
0
|
8
|
35.5
|
Herb Miller
|
4
|
FAU
|
74
|
190
|
30
|
2.5
|
0
|
5
|
34.5
|
Justin Bickham
|
3
|
Rice
|
73
|
195
|
25
|
2
|
1
|
7
|
32.75
|
Aaron Roberson
|
4
|
LT
|
69
|
197
|
27
|
1
|
0
|
5
|
30
|
Free Safeties (Minimum 12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Points
|
Ben DeLuca
|
3
|
CHAR
|
73
|
194
|
79.5
|
1
|
0.5
|
6
|
179.16
|
Malik Grant
|
3
|
MARS
|
74
|
190
|
73.5
|
6.5
|
0
|
5
|
134.88
|
Jovante Moffatt
|
4
|
MTSU
|
72
|
200
|
82.5
|
4.5
|
0
|
4
|
133.25
|
Ta'Corian Darden
|
3
|
WKU
|
69
|
180
|
56.5
|
6.5
|
0
|
6
|
130.13
|
Reed Blankenship
|
2
|
MTSU
|
73
|
175
|
56
|
7
|
1
|
2
|
110.69
|
Brandon Drayton
|
2
|
MARS
|
74
|
185
|
44
|
3
|
0
|
5
|
100.38
|
Khairi Muhammad
|
3
|
NT
|
71
|
182
|
74.5
|
3
|
0.5
|
1
|
95.66
|
Justin Rogers
|
3
|
UTEP
|
71
|
190
|
34
|
3
|
0
|
4
|
89.94
|
Garrison Mitchell
|
3
|
UAB
|
72
|
200
|
25
|
3.5
|
0
|
7
|
85.16
|
Quran Hafiz
|
2
|
FAU
|
72
|
185
|
29.5
|
4
|
0.5
|
1
|
81.03
|
Ashton Preston
|
4
|
NT
|
70
|
187
|
32.5
|
4.5
|
0
|
3
|
80.81
|
Quinton Jordan
|
4
|
CHAR
|
73
|
170
|
41.5
|
3
|
0
|
5
|
79.47
|
Carl Austin III
|
4
|
UTSA
|
73
|
200
|
39
|
4.5
|
1
|
2
|
74.41
|
Will Dawkins
|
3
|
UAB
|
70
|
200
|
29.5
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
66.03
|
J.T. Ibe
|
4
|
Rice
|
72
|
200
|
37
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
65.44
|
C.J. Levine
|
4
|
UTSA
|
70
|
190
|
34.5
|
2.5
|
0
|
3
|
60.56
|
Jordan Baldwin
|
4
|
LT
|
73
|
186
|
34
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
56
|
Antwon Kincade
|
2
|
WKU
|
71
|
190
|
20
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
55.88
|
Zyon Gilbert
|
2
|
FAU
|
73
|
180
|
41
|
2.5
|
0
|
1
|
54.59
|
Christian Bertrand
|
4
|
Rice
|
71
|
200
|
15.5
|
2.5
|
1
|
1
|
54.5
|
Strong Safeties (Minimum 12 Points)
|
|||||||||
Player
|
Year
|
Team
|
Height
|
Weight
|
Tkls
|
TFLs
|
Sacks
|
PDs
|
Points
|
Jalen Young
|
4
|
FAU
|
71
|
185
|
59
|
2.5
|
0
|
8
|
174.06
|
Sean Carter
|
4
|
ODU
|
73
|
205
|
42
|
3.5
|
0
|
8
|
111.61
|
Darryl Lewis
|
3
|
LT
|
71
|
207
|
37.5
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
96.44
|
Drell Greene
|
4
|
WKU
|
71
|
200
|
52
|
3.5
|
0
|
4
|
82.74
|
Devon Key
|
2
|
WKU
|
73
|
205
|
71.5
|
5
|
0
|
3
|
77.19
|
Andrew Soroh
|
4
|
FAU
|
74
|
210
|
35.5
|
2.5
|
0
|
3
|
52.63
|
Ed Rolle
|
4
|
CHAR
|
71
|
190
|
39.5
|
0.5
|
0
|
4
|
49.65
|
Denzel Williams
|
3
|
ODU
|
74
|
204
|
53.5
|
3
|
0
|
3
|
46.46
|
Mar'Sean Diggs
|
4
|
UAB
|
74
|
212
|
31.5
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
44.54
|
Then
defenses then have a lot of work to do in conference and in the front seven
there is some talent lead by the line’s of FIU and ODU. FIU is led by top returning
interior player Anthon Johnson who racked up 8.5 TFLs and 7 sacks at 291
pounds. Johnson is joined by a pair of incoming JUCO transfers, and top 10
ranked recruits, Teair Tart-Spencer and Tayland Humphrey. Yes, this is about
the returning production, but these two additions will certainly help the
returning producers. That interior trio will be joined by edge rusher Fermin
Silva. Silva had 7 sacks last year and should be even better with help along
the interior. That quartet is going to have their work cut out for them against
a number of strong offenses in the conference. ODU for it’s part returns
seniors Oshane Ximines (8.5 sacks) and interior lineman Miles Fox (5.5 sacks).
The interior for the conference as a whole is pretty stout with interior
disruption, with 9 players returning who produced at least 7 TFLs last season
including duos at Marshall and UAB. FAU for their part is going to need some
help on the interior but returns a pair of edge players in Leighton McCarthy (9
TFLs) and Hunter Snyder (8 TFLs) who combined for 10.5 sacks. That pair is
joined by Rashad Smith (12 TFLs) and Azeez Al-Shaair (10.5 TFLs) who combined
for 183 tackles combined. If they can get nominal interior line play the front
seven won’t be a problem for the Owls. LB as a whole is in pretty good shape
here as well, five players had at least 10 TFLs in 2017 led by MTSU’s Khalil
Brooks. Brooks is undersized at 6’1”, 200 pounds had 17 TFLs and 7.5 Sacks last
year and pairs with LB Darius Harris who had 80 tackles and 7.5 TFLs of his
own. That pair is going to have to be stout because they won’t have much help
in front of them in 2018. The real test, as we saw in the offensive section, is
going to be for the secondaries. Here FAU is in pretty good shape as well led
by corners Shelton Lewis (12 PDs) and Chris Tooley (9 PDs). The corner to
watch, however, may be La Tech’s Amik Robertson (11 PDs, 2 Sacks). Robertson
was extremely productive as a freshman and at just 5’9”, 172 pounds he added 57
tackles and a pair of sacks form his corner spot. Behind that however there is
a youth movement in the secondary. At Safety, there are only three seniors with
substantial production returning, the lead of these being FAU’s Jalen Young.
Young had 8 PDs, and 59 tackles in 2017 and will need to be a leader in the
back of a relatively weak and young FAU secondary that has a major test right
off the bat. The other notable producer is Charlotte safety Ben DeLuca. DeLuca,
a junior, had 79.5 tackles last season and 6 passes defensed. There’s a
troubling theme for the defenses in the C-USA with relatively experienced and
productive front sevens and young/inexperienced secondaries. This all seems to
add up to what should be an exciting, shoot out laden conference season.
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