2016 SPRING outlook - Defense and Special Teams

Unlike the offense, it looks like the defense is pretty much set in place for next season. No players are declaring.

Assuming no further attrition, here's what we have:

Defensive Ends: Myles Garrett (JR - returning starter), Daeshon Hall (SR - returning starter), Jarrett Johnson (JR), Qualen Cunningham (JR), James Lockhart (SO)

The only question here is whether or not Lockhart takes snaps away from Johnson and Cunningham

Defensive Tackles: Daylon Mack (SO), Zaycoven Henderson (JR), DeShawn Washington (SO), Kingsley Keke (SO), Hardreck Walker (SR), T.D. Moton (FR), Reggie Chevis (SR)

Pretty cut and dry. Mack and Henderson are your starters followed by Keke, Washington, and Walker. The only question is whose spot Moton takes in the overall rotation.

Linebackers: Shaan Washington (SR - returning starter), Richard Moore (SO - returning starter), Otaro Alaka (SO - returning starter), A.J. Hilliard (SR), Claude George (SR), Josh Walker (JR), Dwaine Thomas (SO), Riley Garner (SO), Landis Durham (SO)

Starters are Washington, Moore, and Alaka (who received a medical RS). 3 questions that need to be answered: Does Hilliard get better or is he pushed down the depth chart? Does Durham get moved to DE? Does Dunning get moved to LB. Right now, I'd say the 2nd unit is George, Garner, and Walker.

Cornerbacks: Priest Willis (JR), Nick Harvey (JR), Roney Elam (FR), Deshawn Capers-Smith (SO), Victor Davis (JR). Donovan Wilson (JR - returning starter nickel), Noel Ellis (JR - nickel), Alex Sezer (SR)

Starters are Willis and Harvey, backups are Elam and DCS. Wilson keeps the nickel spot.

Safeties: Justin Evans (SR - returning starter), Armani Watts (JR - returning starter), Justin Dunning (SO), Larry Pryor (FR).

Absolutely no questions needed here, unless Dunning is moved to linebacker.

Punter/Placekicker: LaCamera (SO) and Mann (FR). One's the punter. One's the kicker. End of story.

Kick/Punt Returners: Christian Kirk and Trayveon Williams