All- Area Team

Phil Baker

ESPN 680

Last week we took a look at the best players from the offensive side of the ball around the area… this week we will take a look at the defensive side and see which players are bound to have breakout seasons as well as a star for their teams.

University of Louisville-

#15 Andrew Johnson, Cornerback: Highly-touted cornerback who made an immediate impact to a thin secondary and showed good speed and a willingness to compete. Still learning to play at the collegiate level, made a number of big plays, looks to have a big sophomore season.

#29 Hakeem Smith, Safety: Emerged as a playmaker in a struggling secondary for the Cardinals and showed the ability to come up and make the tackle. In 2011 Smith was named to first team all-Big East at safety and tied for second on the team with 84 tackles and in 2010 named Big East Conference Rookie of the Year.

#52 Nick Dawson, Linebacker: Four-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com, and rated the second-best inside linebacker prospect by Rivals.com Voted an Army All-American game originally committed to the Cardinals at the All-American game. Looks to make impact immediately for UofL.

University of Kentucky

#35 Cartier Rick, Cornerback: Earned a starting cornerback job back in the spring and has seen considerable action as a reserve the last two seasons. Has played in 29 games with one start and has already completed his degree in community leadership development. Looks to help the young Wildcats in the in the secondary when breaking up passes.

#40 Avery Williamson, Linebacker: Opens preseason work as the starter at the middle linebacker position. Williamson has been in the backup room for the past two years and has the ability to make plays in space and has played in 25 games in his first two seasons with the Wildcats.

#94 Taylor Wyndham, Defensive End: A starter at defensive end when the Wildcats use a four-man line and has been a part time starter the past three seasons. Emerged as a big-play performer during his freshman season and earned Freshmen All-American Second team honors according to Phil Steele. Since his arrival at UK Wyndham has put on 35 pounds and has played in 38 games with 16 starts.

Western Kentucky-

#13 Xavius Boyd, Linebacker: Played in all 12 games, including nine starts at the linebacker position, ended the season ranked second on the Hilltopper defense in total tackles with 53, which included 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks,

#43 Jamarcus Allen, Defensive Lineman: Set career highs in 2011 (39), tackles for loss (7.0) and sacks (2.0) after starting 11 games at defensive tackle for the Hilltopper defense. Looks to be the anchor for the Hilltopper defense this coming season.

#97 Larry Black Jr., Defensive Tackle: Tied to led the team with 15.5 career tackles for loss , during his junior year he started all 12 games, collect 47 tackles and 1.5 sacks.  In a down Big Ten, Black Jr. looks to help lead the defense should IU make any noise in still a tough league.

#98 Adam Replogle, Defensive Tackle: Appeared in all 36 games of his career and has started the last 35. He enters the 2012 season leading all Hooiser defenders with 113 tackles, 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss (tied with Black Jr.) in his career.

Eastern Kentucky:

#5 Brooklyn Fox, Defensive Back: The team’s most experienced player in the secondary, very athletic and can cover a lot of open space quickly. Started all 12 games at free safety and finished third on the team with 80 stops, tied for second in the league with three interceptions and registered a game-high 11 tackles in the season opener again Kansas State.

We look forward to an awesome college football season at ESPN 680! Be sure to check out all of our contests, games, blogs and much more at www.espnlouisville.com