Things are starting to sort themselves out a bit in Spring practice.  It seems like many positions are coming into focus:

CBs are locked in with Reid and Oruwariye, and they are going to be a very good pair. Castro-Fields as the #3 means we will have talented and experienced guys out there...  even in nickel package. No worries for this group, at all.

Safety right now looks like Scott is a lock, with Garret Taylor in there at the moment. Monroe and Wade are lurking, and it should be a good competition for the rest of spring.  Wade may be a lot better come August as he settles in, so we shall see.  Not a ton of experience here, but I'm not all that concerned about this group.  Marcus Allen was a great run support safety, but his coverage left something to be desired (More to come on that aspect).

Linebacker has a chance to be a big strength, but only if young guys grow quickly.  Every day I hear more and more about Ellis Brooks in the middle.  It seems the job is his to lose now.  What's nice about having him there is his experience playing the position, and being a leader (In HS he played MLB, so no position change).  All reports are that the players respect the heck out of him, and he takes charge.  I've heard "more talented Cabinda" more than a few times.

Parsons and Cam Brown seem destined to fight over the Will spot. Ultimately, I think Parsons will win just on talent and potential.  Let him learn in the light first 4 games of the season.  Plus, the ability to use him as a true hybrid player is too good to pass up.  All reports are the guy is lightning off the edge, and that could really cause LT type havoc.  Koa Farmer seems to have the Sam LB locked up, which is good because he's probably the best cover LB we have.  Hopefully he's grown a bit and does better in run support.

This brings us to the DL, and the DE's are not a worry at all. Bucholtz and Brown are back and healthy, add Sharif Miller to that and you have a great 3 man rotation. Add some real good young talent behind them and practice should push them hard. Our edge rush should be strong, and with Parsons added to it could be unreal.

So we have DT...  The real crux of the matter and my biggest worry about the defense. Why my biggest worry?  Well, if they are good it will take a lot of baggage off the young LBs.  This will allow the LBs to settle in, learn, and gain confidence.  If they aren't good, it will strain the LBs and make them play frantic and worried about helping in the run game too much.  They will have to creep the box, which in turn will put a big strain on our coverage as well. This is where Marcus Allen was a huge benefit to us over the past 4 years, we needed some extras in the box and he was perfect in that role. Hopefully now we don't need our safety to do that as much.

I believe Givens and Windsor are the first men up, and hopefully slot into those starting positions nicely.  However, I think for us to be real good we need some of the young talent to step up quick.  Guys like Hansard.  He's big and could bring a physicality to the position I don't think either of the starters really have.  I like Givens a lot...  but he's pretty small for a DT at 275.

All that said (long read), I think we will have a very good defense next year if one thing happens:  The DTs play well.  If that happens, we have the talent everywhere else to make it a top unit.  LBs will be young, but 4 games against App State, Pitt, Kent State, and Illinois should give them some good reps before the showdown with OSU at Beaver Stadium.  IMO, it all rests on the DT unit.