I put together some early depth chart projections for State's defense. Coleman Hutzler likes to utilize multiple fronts, but I’ve done the depth chart with a 3-4 base that technically includes 12 starting positions (with the Star or nickel being No. 12).
It’s possible Nevaeh Sanders will be part of that JACK conversation, but he hasn’t spent any of his time up to this point playing off the ball — and last year’s top 2 guys (Branden Jennings and Ty Cooper) played between 25-30% of their snaps off the ball. Regardless of where State lists him, I feel like he’ll be limited to a situational role in obvious passing situations. Granted, he thrived in that role at NIU. He's not big (6-4, 220), but he finished 2025 with 14 pressures and 4.5 sacks despite only being in on 67 pass rushing snaps. For comparison, Sanders got the ninth-most PR snaps for the Huskies with the eighth- highest having more than twice as many (145), and yet, he finished fourth on the team in pressures and sacks. He's totaled 30 pressures and 6.5 sacks in only 127 pass rush snaps over the last two years. That's really impressive.
Whitson is an inside-out option who can be effective as a 3-tech, 5-tech or anywhere in between. I can see either Bingley-Jones or Dinkins starting at the nose. I’m expecting a big jump from Trevion Williams. Yes, I know State brought in three other transfer signees who will all compete for that other 3/5-tech spot, but Williams showed major flashes in 2024. He’s got to learn to play more under control and with a bit more consistency, but he’s got NFL upside in my opinion.
I originally had Hunter Washington continuing his role as the starting strong safety with Isaac Smith playing Star, but I decided to switch it up at the last minute. Don’t get me wrong, that could be how it looks, but Tony Mitchell feels like another immediate contributor alongside Old Dominion transfer Jahron Manning. Cornerback is a big concern right now. Right now, you are banking on at least 2-3 of the following things happening: quality development from Kelley Jones, Dwight Lewis being able to make a quick transition from NAIA, DeAgo Brumfield and/or Treveon Wright staying healthy or Kyle Johnson being ready to be an immediate contributor as a freshman. Those things are possible, but are they likely? Time will tell.
I have Nic Mitchell losing out to Zakari Tillman at Dime and then sliding over to Mike to fill out the two deep. This is a risky projection, as the coaching staff clearly likes Mitchell, but I loved some of the things I saw from Tillman in 2024. I feel like he’ll continue to get better over time. I’ve seen projections for Derion Gullette playing either JACK or MIKE, but he has mentioned that the coaching staff has discussed him playing DIME. Because of that statement, I have him backing up Tillman there with Jalen Smith and Mitchell rounding out the “two-deep” at the two off-ball linebacker spots.
Gullette does have some edge tendencies, so it is possible that he winds up at JACK, but I believe the additions of JUCO signee LaKendrick James and freshman Tyshun Willis really bolstered that position group. I wouldn’t be surprised if one or both of those guys push Donterry Russell for that No. 2 spot. James is undersized (6-2, 217), but he’s twitched up and explosive and can more than handle the off-ball stuff. Willis might be my favorite freshman signee on defense — and maybe on the team. I’m a big fan.
Yes, I’m projecting Stonka Burnside moves over to the defensive side of the ball. His physicality and fearlessness would thrive at either safety spot or Star. There will likely be a transition period which could slow down his contributions in Year 2, but by the end of the season, I’d expect steady snaps somewhere.
If you have any questions about my projections, please let me know. I’m here for you guys!
It’s possible Nevaeh Sanders will be part of that JACK conversation, but he hasn’t spent any of his time up to this point playing off the ball — and last year’s top 2 guys (Branden Jennings and Ty Cooper) played between 25-30% of their snaps off the ball. Regardless of where State lists him, I feel like he’ll be limited to a situational role in obvious passing situations. Granted, he thrived in that role at NIU. He's not big (6-4, 220), but he finished 2025 with 14 pressures and 4.5 sacks despite only being in on 67 pass rushing snaps. For comparison, Sanders got the ninth-most PR snaps for the Huskies with the eighth- highest having more than twice as many (145), and yet, he finished fourth on the team in pressures and sacks. He's totaled 30 pressures and 6.5 sacks in only 127 pass rush snaps over the last two years. That's really impressive.
Whitson is an inside-out option who can be effective as a 3-tech, 5-tech or anywhere in between. I can see either Bingley-Jones or Dinkins starting at the nose. I’m expecting a big jump from Trevion Williams. Yes, I know State brought in three other transfer signees who will all compete for that other 3/5-tech spot, but Williams showed major flashes in 2024. He’s got to learn to play more under control and with a bit more consistency, but he’s got NFL upside in my opinion.
I originally had Hunter Washington continuing his role as the starting strong safety with Isaac Smith playing Star, but I decided to switch it up at the last minute. Don’t get me wrong, that could be how it looks, but Tony Mitchell feels like another immediate contributor alongside Old Dominion transfer Jahron Manning. Cornerback is a big concern right now. Right now, you are banking on at least 2-3 of the following things happening: quality development from Kelley Jones, Dwight Lewis being able to make a quick transition from NAIA, DeAgo Brumfield and/or Treveon Wright staying healthy or Kyle Johnson being ready to be an immediate contributor as a freshman. Those things are possible, but are they likely? Time will tell.
I have Nic Mitchell losing out to Zakari Tillman at Dime and then sliding over to Mike to fill out the two deep. This is a risky projection, as the coaching staff clearly likes Mitchell, but I loved some of the things I saw from Tillman in 2024. I feel like he’ll continue to get better over time. I’ve seen projections for Derion Gullette playing either JACK or MIKE, but he has mentioned that the coaching staff has discussed him playing DIME. Because of that statement, I have him backing up Tillman there with Jalen Smith and Mitchell rounding out the “two-deep” at the two off-ball linebacker spots.
Gullette does have some edge tendencies, so it is possible that he winds up at JACK, but I believe the additions of JUCO signee LaKendrick James and freshman Tyshun Willis really bolstered that position group. I wouldn’t be surprised if one or both of those guys push Donterry Russell for that No. 2 spot. James is undersized (6-2, 217), but he’s twitched up and explosive and can more than handle the off-ball stuff. Willis might be my favorite freshman signee on defense — and maybe on the team. I’m a big fan.
Yes, I’m projecting Stonka Burnside moves over to the defensive side of the ball. His physicality and fearlessness would thrive at either safety spot or Star. There will likely be a transition period which could slow down his contributions in Year 2, but by the end of the season, I’d expect steady snaps somewhere.
If you have any questions about my projections, please let me know. I’m here for you guys!
