Georgetown 2018 Preview: The Defense

For the 25 years of the Division I-AA era at Georgetown, defense has led the way. The coaching of Bob Benson, Kevin Kelly, and Rob Sgarlata were all built around Georgetown's defense, in no small part because the offense had comparatively less in comparison.

Injuries slid the usually stalwart Georgetown offense to fifth among seven Patriot League teams, where the Hoyas gave up 377 yards per game versus a mere 242 yards for its offense. Five of 11 starters from the 2017 team have graduated. leaving lots of questions marks in summer camp but one name at the top of the list.

Defensive Line

After two seasons at Georgetown, junior DL Khristian Tate has become the clear leader of the Georgetown defense, and 2018 will tell whether he can climb to one of the program's very best. At just 6-0, Tate is smaller in height by lineman standards but is quick, has a good sense for the play, and is a tough out when he gets in the backfield.  Tate led the Hoyas in sacks and tackles for loss in 2018, and is just one of two returnees who started all 11 games last season.

As a high school senior, Tate was given a look at Tennessee and Georgia as a fullback, where he rushed for over 2400 yards as a senior. Were Georgetown as well stocked on defense, it might be an option, but Tate is too valuable on the Hoyas' line than to be a two-way player. On either side of the ball, Tate may be the best player on the roster and must be in every game to lead the way.

The line has seen significant turnover from this time in 2017. The pre-season preview from that year looked to names such as Brennan Sawicki, Marquis Parris, Bryan Jefferson Kendall Catching, and Elijah English for the line. Of these, only Sawicki remains, and he moved down the depth chart following injuries. Senior Mike Taylor returns from injury and will compete for the line, and a quintet of sophomores will vie for the starting roles, led by Duval Paul (31 tackles in 2018), Owen Kessler (29), Xavier Reddick (18), Kingsley Umemba (16) and Zach Jewell (3).

Four freshmen join the line but 6-1, 290 lb. Isaiah Byrd could be an contender. Byrd's road to Georgetown was a difficult one, as the Vero Beach Press Journal noted that " life has been hard and all too real for Byrd, who has been technically homeless and bouncing between six different homes since seventh grade." Choosing Georgetown over Air Force and Jacksonville, Byrd has the potential to follow in the footsteps of Tate and a dozen or more impact line players Georgetown has developed over the years.

Linebackers

A pair of rising sophomores lead in retaining a starting position in 2018.

Wesley Bowers (57 tackles in 2017) and Ahmad Wilson (40) fought off injuries and finished the season strong in 2017, and figure to be key contributors in 2018. The Hoyas must replace graduating senior Daniel Yankovich's 72 tackles from 2017, which is likely to come from senior J'Von Butler, who saw action in only four games but is among th4e best athletes on the team. With senior A.J. Schimmelpfennig not returning to the roster, seven underclassmen form the reserves at LB. One to watch will be 6-1 Justin Fonteneaux, a three year starter at Houston (TX) Lamar with 75 tackles as a senior.

Secondary

Georgetown's secondary has been better than some give it credit for, and has saved its bacon in more than one game over the recent years. The Hoyas replace two veteran starters in David Akere and Jelani Williamson, but are in good position with able players ready to step up.

Starters Blaise Brown (66 tackles in 2017) and Ramon Lyons (63) enter their senior seasons as strong leaders in the secondary. Senior Jethro Francois and  junior Leon Agee are capable of moving into the lineup, with sophomore corner Cameron Deen not that far behind. If injuries do not prove an issue, these five may be the most likely rotation in defensive sets, with junior Jalen Goldwire and sophomore Romello Walton not far behind.

Georgetown added only two defensive backs from the freshman class, with Cleveland's Zaire Webb one to follow, having chosen Georgetown over offers from the service academies and walk-on opportunities from Ohio State and Penn State.

The operative word for the Hoyas on defense last season was "next man up". If the schedule takes its toll on this team, and the offense struggles as expected. it's a refrain that we'll hear often in 2018.