Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcat Defense Combines Talent and Experience
4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 1, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- In the final edition of the three-part preview, NUsports.com highlights the Wildcat defense and special teams.
Defensive Line
Like most of the positions on this year's team, the Wildcats graduated a few key players (Luis Castillo and Colby Clark), but they return some solid veterans as well.
Northwestern will build its 2005 defensive line around senior end Loren Howard and senior tackle Barry Cofield. Howard is coming off a season that saw him miss the first six games due to an ankle injury. Howard, who was thought to be lost for the season, returned to play the last half of the season, but was not in the form he was when camp started in August. Howard begins his final season with 34 career TFL's--the fifth-most in NU history.
"A healthy Loren Howard is a boost for our defense," says Walker.
Cofield, who has played both tackle and end for the Wildcats, is expected to take Castillo's spot in the lineup. Cofield is coming off a superb winter conditioning program and Walker says he could make a significant impact up front.
"Barry was playing very well at the end of last season and his improvement has carried over into the off-season. He could be one of the better defensive linemen in the Big Ten as well as the country."
Other players expected to contribute up front are junior tackle Trevor Schultz, sophomore end David Ngene and redshirt freshmen end Kevin Mims.
Linebacker
This unit will be the heart of the Wildcat defense in 2005, with senior Tim McGarigle, the nation's top returning tackler, anchoring a talented group of players.
In addition to McGarigle, juniors Campbell Black, Demetrius Eaton, Adam Kadela and Nick Roach, as well as sophomore Eddie Simpson return. Roach, Kadela and Eaton have the most significant playing time among Northwestern's non-seniors.
"It's a solid unit with a wealth of potential," says Walker. "If they can avoid the injuries that slowed them last year, who knows how good they can be. Adam was starting to come into his own before getting hurt against Kansas. And Nick is extremely athletic and talented--perhaps one of the more underrated players in the Big Ten."
And regarding McGarigle, Walker says: "I've coached few men with the passion and intensity that kid has. He loves to play. And he's worked extremely hard in the offseason to become the physical player you need to be to compete in the Big Ten. I expect him to have a great year."
McGarigle led the Big Ten with 151 tackles, or 12.6 per game, which ranked third-best in the country. His 8.5 solo tackles per game was a nation's best. McGarigle begins his final year with 389 career tackles, 114 shy of NU's all-time mark.
Defensive Back
Two of Northwestern's four starters in the defensive secondary return, along with two other experienced players.
Senior Jeff Backes is back for a third year as a starting cornerback and junior Bryan Heinz will move to the starting strong safety position after spending the past two years at free safety. Also returning are junior Marquice Cole, who missed 2004 with a foot injury, and senior Herschel Henderson, who has played both safety and cornerback during his NU career. Sophomore Reggie McPherson will be in the mix at free safety, along with Henderson.
"Both Marquice and Jeff turned in eye-popping 40 times during our timing day in March," says Walker. "We're expecting the two of them to man the corner spots. Both players have improved a great deal in their time here.
"We think Bryan will flourish more at strong safety, a position that Dominique Price played the past few seasons. That will allow us to play Reggie and Herschel at free safety. Reggie, who started here as a wide receiver, really started to grasp the safety position toward the end of last year."
Special Teams
An area that might have been the Wildcats' biggest disappointment in 2004--special teams--will receive extra attention this offseason.
While some areas flourished--specifically the kickoff and punt return teams--Northwestern's kicking, punting and coverage units will be working hard to improve upon last year's showings.
Joel Howells, who handled the PAT and field goal kicking at the end of the year, is a candidate to kick, along with Slade Larscheid, who has been beset by injuries the past two years. Kyle Daley and Amado Villarreal will also get a strong look.
At punter, Ryan Pederson is expected to handle the duties for this year after handling 22 punts a year ago.
Some of the leading returnees for kickoff and punt return include Jeff Backes, Mark Philmore, Terrell Jordan and Brandon Roberson.
Practice Notes:
Saturday's practice will be the first in full pads.
