NORFOLK, Virginia -- If there was one word to describe the Norfolk State defense last season, it would be opportunistic. The Spartans featured a defense in 2017 which forced 26 turnovers, including 17 interceptions.
What's more, the Spartans turned those opponent miscues into points, tying for the NCAA Division I FCS national lead in defensive touchdowns, with six. The Spartans scored two non-offensive touchdowns in wins against both Florida A&M and Morgan State. NSU forced at least one turnover in 10 games and at least three in five contests.
NSU will look for more of the same this year from a unit which returns six starters, including four from its ball-hawking secondary. Here is a position-by-position look at the Spartan defense and special teams heading into 2018:
DEFENSIVE LINE
NSU in a unique position along its defensive front this year. Despite losing the services of graduated three-time All-MEAC selection Chris Lee, the Spartans boast more depth than last season. The returners are headlined by senior defensive tackle Deshaywn Middleton. The preseason All-MEAC third-team selection has started 17 games in his two seasons with the Spartans, and has the ability to play either nose guard or tackle in NSU's modified defensive front. He was in on 39 tackles a year ago.
NSU's defensive coaches have a number of options in the trenches. The unit will be bolstered by the return of junior Kyron Speller, who was expected to be a key contributor last season before being lost for the season with an injury sustained during preseason camp. University of Nevada graduate transfer Ricky Thomas Jr. is also expected to have an early impact after spending three seasons at the Division I FBS level.
Other key returnees include sophomore De'Shaan Dixon, who showed loads of potential as a pass-rusher during his freshman season; sophomore nose guard Tavien Blackwell, who played in 10 games as a freshman last season; and junior Josh Bryant, who also played in 10 games but was slowed at times by nagging injuries. Also back is junior nose guard Walter Brantley, a proven run-stopper who was not with the team last season, but started eight times and tallied 58 tackles his first two years (2015-16) with the program.
"We're going to look a lot different up front this season just because of the depth we have this year, that we didn't always have last season," head coach Latrell Scott said.
LINEBACKER
Linebacker is another spot where the Spartans suffered some notable losses from last year's team, but still have plenty of potential. Gone from 2017 are All-MEAC performers Anthony Smith and Kyle Archie, the team's top two tacklers.
With the team switching to a slightly new look that will include, at times, four linebackers on the field, the Spartans will emphasize speed at the position. One way that will be accomplished is moving junior Nigel Chavis to more of an outside linebacker position, where he began his career in 2016. Chavis played defensive end last season and earned third-team All-MEAC accolades after leading all conference linemen with 82 tackles, including 8.5 for loss and five sacks. One of the team's top all-around players, Chavis will have even more opportunity to showcase his versatility this year.
Another outside linebacker position figures to be manned by converted quarterback Tyre Givers-Wilson. A redshirt sophomore, Givers-Wilson made the position change late in 2017 and has impressed coaches in the short few months that he's played the new position. Givers-Wilson, sophomore Matt Hodges and senior Michael Kwegyir-Attah bring speed and play-making ability to the edges of the Spartan defense.
Senior Quintreil Chung will man one inside linebacker position. Another former offensive player, Chung switched from running back to linebacker mid-year in 2017 and finished the year with 33 tackles in his eight games played on defense. Middle Tennessee transfer Dale Craig, redshirt senior and former defensive end James Byers, and redshirt freshman Marquis Hall will all see time and bring a variety of skill and athleticism to the inside linebacker position.
"I like the group we have at linebacker," Scott said. "They've been flying around making plays during camp, and I think we have a lot of potential in that room."
SECONDARY
Cornerbacks J.T. Wahee and Aaron Chandler and safeties Bobby Price and Nhyre' Quinerly started all 11 games at their respective positions last season. The Spartans tied for the MEAC lead with 17 interceptions as a team, and 11 came from that quartet of starting defensive backs. Just as impressively, three of the four (Quinerly, Wahee, Chandler) scored a defensive touchdown in 2017.
Wahee tied for fifth in the MEAC with four interceptions last season, scored on a 96-yard fumble return against Florida A&M and also on a defensive two-point conversion against Morgan State where he returned an INT the length of the field. He was named to the preseason All-MEAC second team.
Chandler picked off two passes last season, one of which he returned for a score in that same victory at Morgan State. Price also intercepted two passes and has shown the knack for making the bit hit from the back line of the defense.
Quinerly, the free safety, had an impressive first season with NSU after transferring from East Carolina. He made 62 tackles, two for loss, intercepted three passes and also scored on a fumble return (against JMU).
Cornerbacks Shaikh Carmichael and Rashard Russell Jr. and safety Mark Brown all contributed last season as well, particularly on special teams, and will add good depth to the secondary. Redshirt freshman Johnathan Gregory, sophomore newcomer Demetrius Harp and true freshmen Brandon Savage and Shaviaea Williams are also in the mix to see snaps in the defensive backfield.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Spartans are very experienced in all phases of special teams. Sophomores Taylor Goettie (punter) and Josh Nardone (kicker) started as true freshmen. Goettie averaged nearly 39 yards per punt as a rookie, while Nardone made six field goals and converted all but one extra point in 2017. Those two will be aided by the addition of freshman Owen Malik.
Marcus Taylor led the MEAC in kickoff return average (23.8-yard average) and scored on a 100-yarder at JMU, the Spartans' first kickoff return TD since 2008. He will also get more opportunities to return punts this season. True freshman receiver Quentin Greene will also look to make an impact in the return game.
Long snapper Zac Denton and short snapper Dominic Jordan also return.
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
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