Cincinnati Bearcat Football: Defense Looks to Improve on Miserable 2010 Campaign

Simply put, the Cincinnati Bearcats defense was awful last season. They ranked near the bottom of the Big East in every statistical category.

Cincinnati will need vast improvements from their defense, particularly the secondary, if they plan on returning to a bowl game.

One positive note is that Cincinnati returns all 11 starters from last year's squad.  

They will be much more experienced than last season and will have a big man in the middle who can control the line of scrimmage. 

Derek Wolfe returns for his senior season and enters his third year as a starter. At 6'5" and over 300 pounds, he is a load up front for Cincinnati. 

He will be joined by returning starters Brandon Mills, John Hughes and Dan Giordano.

The problem last season with the defensive line was a lack of depth. This season, Cincinnati will be able to rely on Camaron Beard and Brad Harrah. 

Beard redshirted last season and is a pass-rushing defensive lineman. At 6'5" and 279 pounds, Beard will provide some depth up front. 

Harrah also redshirted last season and stands 6'5" as well. These two pass-rushers will see a lot of snaps this season. 

Returning at linebacker is second-team All-Big East selection J.K. Schaffer. Schaffer led the team in tackles last season and will need to have another big year. 

Also returning is Walter Stewart. Stewart is perhaps the most talented player on the defensive side of the ball for Cincinnati. He is in the process of transitioning to defensive line and had three sacks in the spring game. 

Stewart is a game-changer and is as talented as anybody on the Cincinnati roster. 

In the secondary, the Bearcats' best cover corner, Dominique Battle, will return after tearing his ACL last season. 

Drew Frey returns at safety along with a group of youngsters who will be called upon to come up with some big plays. 

If the transition of Stewart to defensive line can add some depth to the front four, the Bearcats have a chance to give some playing time to younger players, including talented linebacker Solomon Tentman. 

Tentman was battling for a starting job as a true freshman last season before he tore his ACL, and he will be right in the mix this season. 

For the first time in years, the entire coaching staff is intact from the previous season. There are no changes at all and the defense will have the opportunity to work together for another full season. 

If the defense can just be average, Cincinnati will have a chance to win a lot of games. 

If not, next season could be very similar to last season.