BYU Football: Scouting the Schedule – Arizona
By Shaun Gordon
The Defense
While the offense led the PAC-12 in most categories, the defense was one of the worst in the conference. They finished 10th in scoring defense and total defense, as well as a last place finish in passing defense.
Most of the defense is back for 2018, so they’ll count on an extra year of improvement to bring the defense into the top half of the PAC-12.
Defensive Line
The Wildcats lose two starters and bring two back for 2018. Justin Belknap (Jr.) is back at one defensive end spot, and Derreck Boles (Sr.) is back at one of the tackle positions. Neither stuffed the stat sheet last season, so improvement will be key.
Expect to see Lee Anderson III (Jr.) earn the other starting end spot, and Finton Connolly (Jr.) get the other tackle one. Both saw action in every game last season.
Just like the offensive line, the defensive line has little experience past the starting four, but watch out for freshman Adam Plant. He’s one of the Wildcats biggest recruits, and he could earn good playing time at one of the ends with a strong fall camp.
Linebackers
All three starting linebackers are back for 2018, and they’ll be the backbone of the Wildcat defense. Kylan Wilborn (So.) led the team in sacks last year, while Tony Fields II (So.) led them in tackles and Colin Schooler (So.) led them in tackles for loss.
Unlike the defensive line, there’s a little depth here. Anthony Pandy (So.), JB Brown (So.), and Jalen Harris (Fr.) all saw at least a little game action last year, although Brown and Harris are still relatively unproven.
Secondary
The entire secondary is back for Arizona as well. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Sr.) excelled at free safety in 2017 with 81 tackles and 3 interceptions. Scottie Young Jr. (So.) was serviceable at strong safety last season, and he’ll look to build on that in 2018.
Cornerback Lorenzo Burns (So.) led the Wildcats with 5 interceptions, while Jace Whittaker (Sr.) led them with 13 passes broken up. They’re both back to man the corners, and both have the talent to disrupt the passing game.
Just like the rest of the defense, there’s not much depth and experience behind the starters. Antonio Parks (So.) saw action in all 13 games last season at cornerback, so he’ll be the primary third option. Tristan Cooper (Jr.) also saw time in each game at strong safety, so he’ll be a reliable backup for Young Jr.
Aside from that, there’s a lot of unknowns on the back end of the defense.