[2024] The Bucking Bronco: Meet the 2024 Recruiting Class (Defense)

[Jieret]

SOON.

 

Previously we introduced the offensive players from Western Michigan's 2024 recruiting class.  Now it's the defense's turn to get the spotlight and our best guesses as to when these fine young men will see the gridiron!

Full Class:

#39 5* WR Ismael Leon [Red Zone Threat] (Los Angeles, CA) B/C
#162 4* CB Ed Agosta [Zone Coverage] (Lansing, MI) B/B-
#204 4* QB Solomon Walker [Balanced] (St. Johns, FL) B/B
4* RB Thomas Giumarra [Balanced] (Leavittsburg, OH) C/C+
4* WR William Macie [Possession] (Lawrenceville, GA) C/A-
4* OT Kevin Lowe [Pass Blocking] (Opelousas, LA) C/B-
4* OG Aldo Alvarado [Pass Blocking] (Milledgeville, GA) C/B-
4* C Joshua Bouchard [Balanced] (Keyser, WV) C/C
4* DE Kevin Perkins [Run Stopper] (Laurel, MS) C/C+
4* DE Tucker Adakwa [Run Stopper] (Battle Creek, MI) C/B
4* DT Mikel Smith [Nose Tackle] (Washington, DC) C/B 
4* FS Warren Mohsin [Man Coverage] (St. Leon, IN) C/B+
3* WR Zion Dowden [Possession] (Monroe, MI) C/B+
3* TE Steven Elder [Vertical Threat] (Independence, LA) C/B
3* CB Craig Wingate [Zone Coverage] (Lebanon, OH) C/A-
3* ATH Eugene Haywood [Slotback] (Childress, TX) C/B
3* ATH Steven Tharp [Strongside] (Terre Haute, IN) C/B-

 

Defensive End

4* DE Tucker Adakwa [Run Stopper] (Battle Creek, MI) C/B: Position Ranks: #32 overall, #12 Run Stopper
4* DE Kevin Perkins [Run Stopper] (Laurel, MS) C/C+: Position Ranks: #45 overall, #17 Balanced

The Broncos are deep and balanced at defensive end, so neither Adakwa nor Perkins will need to see the field immediately.  This will give both of them plenty of time to refine their techniques and become WMU's bookend DEs of the future.  If one of them does need to step up sooner rather than later, Adakwa's longer wingspan and motor gives him a slight edge in our books.

The Bucking Bronco's projection: Adakwa, Perkins: 2025 redshirt, 2027 rotation, 2028 starter

 

Defensive Tackle

4* DT Mikel Smith [Nose Tackle] (Washington, DC) C/B: Position Ranks: #24 overall, #4 Nose Tackle

Western's coaching staff feels pretty fortunate that somehow there was no real competition for the 4th-rated NT in the class.  We can only assume it's because other schools were not even aware that Richard Wright Public Charter, located less than a half-mile from the National Mall in DC, even had a football team.  Smith is a true space eater that more than held his own against numerous double-teams; he plus the duo mentioned above shows a pretty clear direction for WMU's defense once the trio gets their moments in the spotlight.

The Bucking Bronco's projection: 2025 redshirt, 2027 rotation, 2028 starter

 

Linebacker

3* ATH Steven Tharp [Strongside] (Terre Haute, IN) C/B-: Position Ranks: #23 overall (ATH), #4 Strongside

After recruiting 2 OLBs (4-stars Anthony Reevey and David Hartshorn) and 2 ILBs (4* Ronald Fennell and 3* Robert Roe) last year, this was not a huge area of concern.  Nevertheless, the Broncos went across the border to sign Tharp out of Indiana.  The versatile EDGE racked up double digits in sacks both years he started for the Patriots, and he has experience playing with his hand in the dirt and standing up.  The roster numbers suggest he'll see the majority of his time at OLB, hence his inclusion in this section, but expect him to move to DE and maybe even ILB as needed.

The Bucking Bronco's projection: 2025 redshirt, 2028 rotation

 

Cornerback

4* CB Ed Agosta [Zone Coverage] (Lansing, MI) B/B-: Position Ranks: #29 overall, #12 Zone Coverage
3* CB Craig Wingate [Zone Coverage] (Lebanon, OH) C/A-: Position Ranks: #119 overall, #42 Zone Coverage

The duo of Omari Stanley and Michael Gonzalez are (as of the time of this writing) set to return, giving Western one of the top CB duos in the conference.  We expect senior Preston Richburg to be the starting nickel back.  
Despite all this, we think Ed Agosta plays as a true freshman, whether as the CB4 or pushing for the CB3 spot.  His tape shows an impressive amount of awareness for a young corner, while having the physical gifts to help him recover and close on the receiver.  The current CB room outside of Stanley, Gonzalez, and Richburg has not shown any flashes, so unless the underclassmen take a really huge step forward a position on the two-deeps is Agosta's to lose.

As documented elsewhere, the coaching staff is really high on Wingate.  As a recent convert from WR he will need time to really absorb the position's nuances, but they think Wingate could be a true CB2, if not CB1, by the time he graduates.

The Bucking Bronco's projection: 

Agosta: 2025 rotation, 2026 starter
Wingate: 2025 redshirt, 2027 rotation

 

Free Safety

4* FS Warren Mohsin [Man Coverage] (St. Leon, IN) C/B+: Position Ranks: #24 overall, #7 Man Coverage

With Brandon Eckerman set to take over in 2025, FS was not an immediate need for Western Michigan entering the 2024 cycle.  But sometimes you just have to take talent when the opportunity arises, and the Broncos beat out Illinois for the young safety.  Just like how Solomon Walker was tapped to be Willie Robinson's heir apparent, we could say the same for Mohsin and Eckerman. 

Now normally, we would just call a redshirt for Mohsin and call it a day, and that is probably still the likeliest outcome for Mohsin's 2025.  What adds uncertainty is the fact that all the WMU free safeties except for Eckerman are much more comfortable in a Zone safety scheme than Man.  Considering both Eckerman and stud SS Timothy Khan play in Man, the onus will be on the other free safeties to show enough proficiency in Man to keep Mohsin off the active roster.

The Bucking Bronco's projection: 2025 redshirt, 2026 backup, 2028 starter

[PoopyRhinoPickle]

Lotsa redshirts for these guys. Sign of a good roster. 

[Jieret]

 

On 9/3/2024 at 11:38 PM, PoopyRhinoPickle said:

Lotsa redshirts for these guys. Sign of a good roster. 

Lotta 2021 redshirts is what led to a small class this year. Unlike 2021 the 2024 redshirts are almost all of a higher quality, so any further class restrictions won't feel as bad. (aka "I seriously have a C+ senior sucking up a potential scholly?!")

Hopefully the roster is also more balanced, so I can mostly avoid a small class going forward - projecting a class size of 23 next year unless I take in a transfer.