7 Returning starters. We've been over this so many times, but here it is again since people still seem confused:
2 SR safeties: 3 years starting experience, both started as freshman
1 JR CB: Started 1 year
3 SR LB's: 1 3yrs starting, 1 2 yrs starting, and 1 just started last year
1 SR DE: 2 years starting experience
Overall, of the 7 returning starters, 3 of them have been starting since they were freshman. I like the fact that our returning starting experience (3 LB's, 3 DB's 1 DE pass rusher) match up with the strength of your team (skill positions). I would be much more worried if we had lost most of our secondary and fast LB's, but we didn't. This makes us confident in the defense we will be bringing to Ames August 30. #20 Colten Heagle is the one fans like to watch cuz he hits like a freight train. Very excited to see him go against one of the best TE's in the nation in Bibbs and if he will be able to contain him, along with our OLB Travis Beck. Will be an excellent test for our experienced defense.