It seems like defensive coordinator Brent Venables has faced an uphill battle every year he’s been on campus, having to replace most of his defense each year.
That isn’t the case in 2017. In fact, Venables will return starters Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins, Dorian O’Daniel, Kendall Joseph and Van Smith. That doesn’t include players like Scott Pagano, Ryan Carter, Marcus Edmond and Mark Fields, who have all started at one point or another in their careers.