The first order of business. The defense.

[Palatine]

It was another horrible season on the defensive side of the ball. There is simply no other way to look at it. The defense was terrific in the first half against Syracuse. It collapsed in the second half and never recovered.

The defensive line couldn't stop the run and the defensive backfield couldn't stop the pass. Not exactly the complimentary football that coaches preach about. The linebackers acquitted themselves well. Amazingly one unit out of three was enough to help an terrific offense to 9 wins. I will spare you the numbers on the assumption your eyes told you enough.

This is where I would start. 1. Two need two large defensive tackles from the portal. The don't have to be great athletes but they need to be able to stand their ground. 2. A fast defensive end. Mercifully, the line backers are not a complete rebuild. So a couple of strong defensive line pieces and decent pass rush would be a wonderful first step.

 

[Chin Diesel]

First things first. Find out what defensive scheme the new DC wants to run and the recruit to his scheme.

That being said every football coach at everry level wants good depth of strong DT's.

 

[ScottVib]

Based on what Pitt has run (there isn't a lot of intel that I could find on Manalac's tenure at Bucknell) we'd likely be shifting back to a 4 man front... (4-3 base with blitzing)

 

[giddyup]

Give me 2 low center of gravity tackles that get leverage and plug-up holes and can bull rush and drive lineman backwards to flush QBs. Watching smaller more disciplined Army guys manhandle our front and drive them back 4 and 5 yards at a clip was just so maddening. 3 upfront is a loser and always has been unless you have elite level guys that have size, power and speed. Having tweeny LBs or SSs augment a hybrid 4 is like bringing nerf balls to a rock fight. If we never see a 3 front again until we have 4 star d lineman, I’d be happy.