With a varsity football program that dates to the first Grover Cleveland administration, I'm hesitant to suggest that any one team or one player is the "best ever" at Georgetown University. While it's admittedly difficult to compare players across years or decades or even centuries, a case can be made that the 2019 Georgetown defense could well be the best such group of the last 50 years, and then some.
The 2018 Hoyas were defensive standouts, ranking eight in rushing defense nationally and 11th in total defense--numbers you don't normally see from the lower wattage leagues such as the Patriot. In 2019, Georgetown returns nine starters from that 2018 group, and the reserves may be just as good at season's end.
The defensive line discussion starts with senior Khristian Tate, who in his three seasons has made a case of being one of Georgetown's very best at the position. His 145 tackles and 16.5 sacks are team bests, but Tate has yet to reach the national stage as a defensive tackle, as much for his size (6-0) as well as his alma mater, because...well, Georgetown doesn't produce football stars. Even in the Patriot League, Tate takes a back seat to Colgate DL Nick Wheeler, who was named the pre-season Defensive Player of the Year candidate. If Tate stays healthy, his skills and maturity will make this a special year on the defensive line, not only for Tate being there, but for those around him.
This could be a big year for junior Duval Paul, whose growth at tackle in the 3-3-5 alignment opened the way for Tate to move to the outside. Like Tate, Paul is smaller for his size in the position (6-1) but had a strong 2018, with 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. Along with fifth year senior Mike Taylor, the Hoyas are solid up front, but the depth on the line is remarkable. Any combination of Brennan Sawicki, Kingsley Umemba, Marquis Parris, Ibrahim Kamara, and Quincy Chunwuko could challenge for the starting lineup, and that's not to mention a pair of freshmen and sophomore candidates in the deepest defensive line Georgetown has every fielded.
The Hoyas' biggest enemy up front may well be injury. It's unlikely Georgetown will platoon the linemen, but the defensive line can tire in games and the coaches will likely see this in a pair of September games against capable rushing offenses in Davidson and Marist. How do you keep the defensive line fresh? Ask the offense.
Georgetown appears equally loaded at linebacker, returning three juniors who can be game-changers, led by Wes Bowers. If Bowers can pick up more lateral speed, he's going to be a real tough option for opposing offenses, where he is a strong defender on and off the ball and underrated for his impact on the defensive charts.
Georgetown carries 12 LB's this season, and not as many will see time in 2019 as will the linemen. Owen Kessler and Xavier Reddick are pre-season favorites to return to the starting lineup, and will be challenged by sophomores Justin Fonteneaux and Palmer Nix. Add in junior George Ikott and GU has one of its deepest linebacker corps in a generation.
While the sheer number of returnees is impressive, the defense will be expected to pick it up in 2019. Historically bad offenses at Bucknell and Lafayette depressed the PL last season and Georgetown (and other teams) took advantage. As the offense improves at these schools, as well as the returning core at Lehigh and Holy Cross, Georgetown's defense may again have to carry the load for an offense which is not at the caliber of the other schools. This time, they've got all the tools to do so.
