Anyone more lengthy or heavy either hasn’t played much as a position player, or has been an edge linebacker. The guy who was on the depth chart behind Rutchena was Cory McEnroe 6’1” 225 and played mostly on special teams. Maybe a freshman or sophomore who hasn’t played will win the job and that would be great. It’s always great when someone who hasn’t played surprises.

Not announced. The feeling is that their names added in the recently updated roster points to that,

i assume Porter Connors and Jackson Sievers will be the inside linebackers. if so I’d count that as both returning starters.

Last years D was disrupted by multiple injuries. Healthy it might have been better than this years but had a lot of new faces and then got decimated.
This years unit, if the Connors are healthy have veteran starters in the system at every position with the exception of a couple of spots in the secondary. Jaden Few played an unusual amount as a Freshman behind Psyk, and will probably fill that spot. Everyone else on D line and LB will be returning starter, corners are returning, and at safety there is Rex. So i think this years D will be better as a unit, if they remain healthy.

Interesting that they relate this to the Mountain West. They need this to keep pace with the Big Sky leaders as well since half the teams opted in last year.

It seems they replace the turf about every 7 years. The current turf was installed in 2022. In a few years they are going to be faced with replacing the turf, then they can consider the difference in cost.

i like Marquis Bell 6’ 205#. Made a great interception with his arm in a cast. Played safety at Liberty. Did quite well at cornerback.

A major piece of news would be who among the players who were injured are recovered and participating in practices.
The secondary has some spots open, especially if Rex isn’t fully recovered, both safeties and nickel starters graduated.

I think not being eligible for a few years is a detriment for recruiting. Now that is removed. I think not being playoff eligible for a few years when Davis transitioned to FCS hurt Davis:

Wide receiver pass plays were a feature in thr Carson Crawford era. There was one for 56 yards in 2018 in the historic win over Montana. No telling how good Xzavior can be.

Spring game is after only 8 practices. I think Plough doesn’t make a choice until fall camp.

Hayden John listed as the third best transfer safety in FCS. On Sports Illustrated FCS football Central.

“3. Hayden John (UC Davis)
John played over 550 snaps for the Vandals as a redshirt sophomore last season. He finished with 53 tackles, 1 INT, and 5 pass breakups in 11 games. He graded out as one of the best tackling safeties in the Big Sky, posting a 90.1 tackling grade via PFF. His familiarity with the Big Sky makes this an even more impactful addition for the Aggies, who need immediate starters in the secondary.”

With the added dimension that he can pass.

I think Marquis Bell played well for us, even with an arm injury. He was playing corner, but he has good size as a safety,
Albert Richardson got on the depth chart before being injured.
J J. Cravin who was a highly rated recruit in 2025 isnt on the roster.
Totton was on the depth chart at safety. Used to be one could tell the safeties from the corners by size but that correlation now seems weak.

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If we count the $ linebacker who almost invariably plays on the line Davis returns three our of four D- linemen starters, plus the player who played behind Psyk and started the last game of the season. Lots of guys behind them.
I think Sievers, and Porter Connors are almost a lock to be the two inside linebackers.
The most unsettled group are the safeties and nickel, there are transfers with experience and players coming off injury, so seems to be a competitive situation.
As far as preseason rankings, the fact that Montana State, Montana, NAU and Idaho all return QBs will drive Davis down a little in preseason ranking. Those teams also had good recruiting classes.

6’0” 300 lb according to our roster and San Diego State 2025 roster.

Cornesto didn’t play in his second year which would count as a redshirt, played in 12 games in 2025. Should have 2 years eligibility remaining.
JUNIOR (2025): In 12 games, made 26 total stops, with one interception, one defended pass and one blocked kick .

Redshirt freshman D Lineman transfer from San Diego State, was a 3 star two years ago that we had offered. Kodi Cornelius from Casa Grande Petaluma.
Also added a DB transfer from Holy Cross, Donovan Comestro, who has played quite a bit. currently a junior. Probably has two years eligibility remaining as one year he didn't make an appearance.

Plough forgot to mention him when he was discussing the QB depth when they signed Kollock. I know that could just be an oversight, but we are reliant on reading tea leaves or goat entrails.

Any QB hierarchy before entering camp is pretty tenuous considering all the QBs are 2025 freshmen with essentially no playing time. None of the QBs were even #2 last season. Competition will allow someone to separate themselves.

anyone have a link to this social media with the lift by Cleeland?