RCW: Football Defensive Preview

What a difference a year makes. At this time in 2015, the Kansas defense featured just two players who had started the season before. Heading into 2016, KU has eight returning starters, including the heart and soul of its defense in senior safety Fish Smithson. Among the eight returning starters are Kansas’ top five tacklers from 2015.
 
Smithson, who is an extension on the field of defensive coordinator and safeties coach Clint Bowen, led the FBS in solo tackles in 2015 with 7.9 stops per game and returns as a reliable leader for the entire team, but specifically the Jayhawk defense. He is not alone though and that is the best news for KU football fans.
 
Up front, KU returns rising stars in a pair of sophomores Dorance Armstrong Jr., and Daniel Wise. Armstrong started the final five games at defense end last season, while Wise started off and on during 2015 and then has had a superb summer and Fall Camp to solidify himself as a leader along the defensive line. The Jayhawk line also returns senior ends Damani Mosby and Anthony Olobia and will be aided by the presence of freshman Isaiah Bean on the outside and junior college transfer Isi Holani on the inside.
 
“We are looking for more dynamic ends, we need long and fast and Bean fits that mold,” Beaty said. “You see him take off and make tackles. There is a lot of upside about this guy.”
 
The Jayhawk linebackers are in good hands as junior Joe Dineen Jr., and senior Marcquis Roberts both return as starters. The speedster Dineen and heady Roberts make a formidable duo and are aided by experienced and capable reserves in senior Courtney Arnick and sophomore Osaze Ogbebor. Talented freshman Maciah Long also looks to play a role with the Jayhawk linebackers.  
 
“What a great kid,” Beaty said of Dineen. “He always has a smile on his face. He’s got the ability to, when he needs to, turn it on and flip that switch and do what has to be done. As a leader, I think that’s important. You’ve got to be able to make decisions and do hard things.”
 
Smithson may be the quarterback of the KU defense, but he has a lot of help in the backfield as each player to his left and right returns having gone through the rigors of playing in the Big 12 Conference. Sophomore Tyrone Miller Jr., and senior Bazie Bates IV will man the other safety spot, while a pair of seniors in Brandon Stewart and Marnez Ogletree will see action at the cornerback positions. Senior Tevin Shaw returns to the field as KU’s nickelback, where he ranked fourth among Jayhawks in 2015 with 65 tackles. Senior Greg Allen will provide valuable depth at the safety spot, while freshman Bryce Torneden had a strong Fall Camp and will also see the field in the defensive backfield for KU.
 
“Fish has one more year with us, then after that, we have to have another guy that can fill that spot,” Beaty said. “Torneden is a great one that we feel can make an impact for us and it’s exciting to have a local talent like this guy on the roster.”

Letterman Returning/Lost: 25/10
Starters Returning/Lost: 8/3

Players to Watch

Dorance Armstrong – #2

Sophomore | Defensive Line
Houston, Texas
6-3 | 290
Bio Full Bio

• Posted 26 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss during the 2015 season.
• His 26 tackles was the most by a Kansas defensive lineman since 2001 when David McMillan collected 27 stops.
• Notched a career-best six tackles at Oklahoma State.
• Posted a sack in three-straight games.
• Added nearly 20 pounds to his frame during the off-season.

Joe Dineen – #29

Junior | Linebacker
Lawrence, Kansas
6-3 | 290
Bio Full Bio

• In 2015, finished second on the team in total tackles (86), tackles for loss (6.5), while he was third with three quarterback sacks.
• Posted the most tackles by a Kansas sophomore since Ben Heeney registered 112 during the 2012 campaign.
• Logged 10 or more tackles in four games, including a career-best 16 stops against West Virginia – which was also the highest single-game total by a Jayhawk all season.
• During off-season workouts, the KU strength and conditioning staff clocked his 40-meter time at 4.4 seconds.

Fish Smithson – #9

Senior | Safety
Baltimore, Maryland
5-11 | 201
Bio Full Bio

• Led the nation in solo tackles last season with 7.9 stops per game.
• Ranked No. 14 nationally in total tackles, averaging 10.1 per contest, which was tops in the Big 12 Conference.
• In 2015, became the first KU defensive back to lead the team in tackles since Darrell Stuckey’s team-best 93 during the 2009 season.
• His 111 stops in 2015 was the most by a member of the Jayhawk secondary since Michael Allen’s 120 tackles in 1998.
• The first Kansas player since 1990 to make 10 or more stops in six-consecutive games.