Take it to the next level

Defense has a safety net

By Justin Michael

Teams that run the ‘Air Raid’ are typically known for the points that they put on the board and not the ones they prevent. In year two under defensive coordinator Freddie Banks though, the Rams have a chance to be quite dangerous on that side of the ball.

With Mohamed Kamara returning for a fifth year, CSU has arguably the best pass rusher in the Mountain West. The 6-foot-1, 250-pound edge has 16 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons.

Cornerback Chigozie

Anusiem coming back was a big win for the Rams as well. The Cal transfer led the team with nine pass breakups in 2022, and he’s one of the better cover corners that the Rams have had in quite some time.

As big as it was for ‘Mo’ and ‘Chiggy’ to return — Jay Norvell even referred to them as his biggest recruiting priorities last winter — the continuity of the safeties is quietly one of the greatest strengths of the team.

The trio of Jack Howell, Henry Blackburn and Ayden Hector have developed tremendous chemistry together. And the group collectively found ways to be extremely impactful last year despite CSU’s losing record.

Howell, who has been a play-maker since the very first time he took the field, has racked up 172 total tackles, 11 pass deflections and four interceptions over his last 22 games. He has even higher expectations for his junior year though.

Following the spring game, Howell explained that after getting a feel for his new role last year, his plan was to really learn as much as he can about the entire defense as a whole. He talked about being more aware of the way linebackers fit into the scheme and how it has allowed him to communicate more effectively with his fellow members of the secondary.

Speaking of his running mates in the back end, Blackburn is coming off of his most productive season at CSU. His 30 solo tackles and 53 total were both career-highs. As were his nine pass deflections and three turnovers forced. He even recorded the first sack of his career.

Meanwhile, the third member of the group, Hector proved to be a perfect fit at nickel. The former Washington State starter originally joined the squad as a walk-on, but very quickly showed why he was worth putting on scholarship after one semester. The 6-foot, 210-pound defensive back had 41 total tackles, 10 pass breakups and three interceptions in just 10 games. His pick-six in Norvell’s first return to Nevada ended up being one of the biggest plays of the season as well.

With all of these guys still in the mix, the hope is that CSU can build off of the defensive success they had down the stretch of the 2022 season and take it to the next level in 2023. Against league opponents last season, the Rams allowed 11 fewer points per game than they did in 2021. The goal this time around is not just to be one of the better defenses in the league, the Rams aim to be number one.