The team went 6-7 last season, its final defeat coming to San Jose State in its first bowl game, the Cure Bowl in Orlando.

Coach Trent Miles’ squad returns nine starters on defense, six or seven on offense and has a depth that it hasn’t since he took over three seasons ago.

Continuing the position group breakdown.

Linebacker

Who is competing? This is a deep group that includes redshirt seniors Alonzo McGee, Andrew Everett and Kaleb Ringer, senior Jameel Spencer, redshirt junior Trey Payne, juniors James Traylor and Malik Ricks, redshirt sophomore Michael Shaw, sophomores Ed Curney and Chase Middleton and freshmen Charlie Patrick and Peyton Moore, among others.

Key stat? The group has 27 ½ tackles for loss last season, led by Ringer's 12 ½. He was also tied for the lead in sacks (2 ½) from the group.

Who has the edge? It seems almost a certainty that Everett, McGee (70 tackles), Ringer (73 tackles) and Shaw (36 tackles, 7 for loss, 2 ½ sacks) will start. The group did some shuffling in the offseason. Everett, a transfer from Old Dominion, will move to rush end, where Shaw played last year. Shaw will move to strongside linebacker and McGee will play weakside linebacker. Ringer will stay in the middle. Payne has played fairly well, as has Curney when he moved in for Joseph Peterson last year. Traylor can replace Shaw, should that be needed. The coaches are also excited about the freshmen.

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