Top 5 Most Important WKU Defensive Players in 2018

The Tops defense will look to a handful of players to shut down several high octane offenses this season.

He may be new to the red and white, but this Bowling Green native definitely has amassed a very impressive resume. While at the University of Kentucky, Brown collected 62 tackles (37 solo, 25 assisted) and was also ranked as the 15th best outside linebacker in the country by ESPN when he was in high school. Brown's ability and intensity will be welcomed into a veteran linebacking crew, led by junior Ben Holt. The talented transfer will be able to slide into the spot left vacant by current Chicago Bear, Joel Iyiegbuniwe, without much of a problem. Defensive coordinator Clayton White will appreciate having Brown's experience, especially in games against teams like his old foe, Louisville and high-powered Wisconsin. Brown has already proven himself to be a player capable of making it to the next level, and he will be counted on to make those next level plays while on the Hill.

“Coco” as he is better known, had a breakout season last year playing mostly nickelback. He recorded 71 total tackles with 6.5 for a loss and 6 pass breakups. He was also one of the "feel good" stories after earning a scholarship during fall camp in 2017. Now, Darden will be expected ratchet up his play another notch. One game to look out for Darden to shine in is the Florida Atlantic game this season. CoCo went crazy for 13 tackles and 2 pass breakups against the eventual C-USA champions. If he can find a way to match that performance throughout the season, it could pay off dividends for the Hilltoppers.

This Shelbyville, Kentucky native proved he was ballhawk last season after posting 14 breakups and 54 tackles. The breakups placed him atop of C-USA for the most of the season and 13th nationally in 2017. Wisconsin, Middle Tennessee, Marshall and Florida Atlantic are very pass-heavy teams which all averaged more than 200+ yards in the air for 2017. Senior leadership will be key for Farris to exhibit as he will lead a mixed bag of young and old players in the defensive backs corps.

The linebacking squad for WKU may be the most impressive collection of talent on the roster. This year it will undoubtedly be due in no small part to Holt. The son of former WKU defensive coordinator, Nick Holt, has the smarts to quickly dissect the offense on the fly and make sure the rest of the defense is in the right position and attacking the right holes. Add to that a fiery passion for making the play, Holt will cause nightmares for every offensive coach that tangles with the Toppers this season. The Bowling Green native collected 34 tackles in 2017, with 24 of them coming in the last 5 games. Pair that up with the explosiveness of Eli Brown and the veteran leadership of Masai Whyte and Der’Quione Mobley, and the Tops should be able to shut down the short game of most teams in the conference.

A defense is only as good as it’s anchor. This year that anchor will be held by Lewis. The senior defensive lineman from Madison, Alabama is already getting noticed after being put on the 2018 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. His numbers in tackles, 29, nearly doubled between his sophomore year and his junior campaign. Lewis fronts a pretty experienced group of guys which will allow him to shine, as well as mentor the young inexperienced players on the roster. Much like Holt and Farris, Lewis knows what it is like to be at the top of the heap in Conference USA. So, its fair to say he would like to taste that feeling one more time before he hangs up his jersey and cleats on the Hill.