Connecticut Huskies Football: Grading the Defense in 2011

After an 8-5 season, which ended in a loss to Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, the Connecticut Huskies attempt to continue their success in 2011.

From the linemen to the defensive backs, each unit is equally important in assuring a successful 2011 campaign.

I will go through position by position and grade each unit of the defense.

Overall Defense: B

The Huskies' defense is definitely the best unit on the team.

With an astounding nine of 11 starters returning, this unit shouldn’t miss a beat in 2011.

With a stellar defensive line, solid linebacking and shutdown defensive backs, this defense might be just as good as last year’s.

Defensive Line: B+

UConn’s defensive line is easily their best unit, offense or defense.

With all four starters returning, including one of the best defensive ends in Jesse Joseph, this should not only be on of the best units in the Big East but one of the best in the country.

The Huskies are very good up front.

It's as simple as that.

Linebackers: B

The linebacker unit loses three solid guys (Scott Lutrus, Lawrence Wilson and Greg Lloyd) to graduation, but is returning Sio Moore.

Even with those key losses, Moore’s dominance in the middle is enough to give this unit a solid B.

Moore is really good—I mean he's really good. 

Defensive Backs: B

This defensive back unit may be the Huskie’s second best on the entire team.

All four starters return and the pass defense should take a huge step in the right direction in 2011.

The Huskies have two of the top-three or four corners in the conference in Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Dwayne Gratz.

(The only player gone from last year's unit is FS Mike Lang.)