Breaking down the Canes defense for Thursday night's opener at home vs. Charleston Southern:

 

DE - Starters Eric Moncur and Allen Bailey are hurt and out. Backup pass-rusher Courtney Harris is out for the year. And Adewale Ojomo is suspended for one game. Wow. That is a huge hit. Hopefully, the Canes will get Moncur and Bailey back for week 2 vs. Florida along with Ojomo. In the meantime, true freshmen Marcus Robinson, Gavin Hardin and Andrew Smith and sophomore Steve Wesley have to step up. Of those four, I have the most hope for Robinson as an edge rusher and Hardin.

 

DT - As expected, Antonio Dixon is the starter at one DT spot. Now he needs to play up to his ability. At the other spot, Joe Joseph surprisingly beat out Dwayne Hendricks. But I can't wait to see the freshmen step up here - Marcus Forston, Jeremy Lewis and Micanor Regis.

 

LB - In another surprise, freshman phenom Arthur Brown was left off the two-deep. The starters are Colin McCarthy and Darryl Sharpton outside and Glenn Cook inside. I'd like to see freshman second-teamer Sean Spence replace Cook.

 

CB - I like the potential of the backups better than that of the starters. The bavkups are freshman Brandon Harris and sophomore Demarcus Van Dyke. The starters are ex-nickel back Chavez Grant and senior Bruce Johnson.

 

S - Randy Phillips is suspended for one game and would not have started anyway, which is disappointing for a senior who should be a leader by now. Senior Lovon Ponder is hurt and has also failed to step up. Anthony Reddick has battled back from major injuries and is now a starter. He's got game if healthy. JoJo Nicholas has sped past the others to earn a starting spot as a sophomore.

 

K/P - The pressure is on sophomore Matt Bosher to have a breakout year.

 

KR/PR - The Canes have a lot of speed but it remains to be seen if Graig Cooper, Thearon Collier, Travis Benjamin, Shawnbrey McNeal or Davon Johnson can emerge as the next Roscoe Parrish or Devin Hester.