[SamuelMcF]

When we had 4 potential starting defensive 5th year seniors retire from football (Buncom, Jackson, Barton and Edwards) and not return this season, it certainly dealt a blow to our returning starter calculation and preseason prognostications, but the replacements for those 4 could all be better. Those guys were pretty banged up or tired of playing football so bring on the younger and potentially more talented replacements. None of those 4 would have been considered above average Pac12 starters and the guys that we have replacing all could be down the road.

Excellent point. I predict our safety tandem will be better this year - probably not even close given Buncom's struggles. Big improvement from Jackson to this year's starter. Barton may have been a better player than his replacement this year during the early part of the year - Barton was solid - but by later in the year, our top three MLBs should all have surpassed him - at least in terms of big plays.

I would've considered Barton a slightly-above-average Pac12 starter, but agreed known quantity. Solid against the run, pretty fast, high motor, liability in coverage. And pretty small for an ILB (225ish) - was easily swallowed up by blocks if a guard got to the second level, and a non-factor when blitzing if a guard got to him. Reminded me a lot of Ben Burr-Kirven...except UW's monster DL actually commanded double-teams and kept BBK clean.

Will there be growing pains for our presumed top 3 ILBs? For sure. But they are bigger (Robinson the lightest at 236, both RS frosh 240+) and - from what we've heard and seen at camp - VERY athletic. Excited to see how they develop through the season, and I think the future is bright at the position, especially if Robinson comes back for his 5th year.

[SamuelMcF]

When we had 4 potential starting defensive 5th year seniors retire from football (Buncom, Jackson, Barton and Edwards) and not return this season, it certainly dealt a blow to our returning starter calculation and preseason prognostications, but the replacements for those 4 could all be better. Those guys were pretty banged up or tired of playing football so bring on the younger and potentially more talented replacements. None of those 4 would have been considered above average Pac12 starters and the guys that we have replacing all could be down the road.

Excellent point. I predict our safety tandem will be better this year - probably not even close given Buncom's struggles. Big improvement from Jackson to this year's starter. Barton may have been a better player than his replacement this year during the early part of the year - Barton was solid - but by later in the year, our top three MLBs should all have surpassed him - at least in terms of big plays.

I would've considered Barton a slightly-above-average Pac12 starter, but agreed known quantity. Solid against the run, pretty fast, high motor, liability in coverage. And pretty small for an ILB (225ish) - was easily swallowed up by blocks if a guard got to the second level, and a non-factor when blitzing if a guard got to him. Reminded me a lot of Ben Burr-Kirven...except UW's monster DL actually commanded double-teams and kept BBK clean.

Will there be growing pains for our presumed top 3 ILBs? For sure. But they are bigger (Robinson the lightest at 236, both RS frosh 240+) and - from what we've heard and seen at camp - VERY athletic. Excited to see how they develop through the season, and I think the future is bright at the position, especially if Robinson comes back for his 5th year.