By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
With the 2025 school soccer season quick approaching, we proceed to get you set for the upcoming season.
Having introduced you our high particular person gamers at every place and delivered our high place items within the west, we shift our focus to the respective two sides of the ball.
We start with our High 12 defenses for 2025 within the West.
1. Oregon
The Geese had numerous turnover on the road and within the secondary from a unit that despatched numerous gamers to the NFL final season.
Nonetheless, the secondary ought to be a energy as soon as once more, and the Geese are stable up the center.
Defensive sort out Bear Alexander can do a little bit of the whole lot, Bryce Boettcher can play sideline to sideline on the MLB spot, whereas Dillon Thieneman and Kingston Lopa are among the many finest security combos within the nation.
On the sting, the Geese may have an elite go rusher in Matayo Uiagalelei. Search for the Geese to as soon as once more have one of many higher defenses within the nation.
2. Utah Utes
Utah had some struggles in 2024, however these issues weren’t on the defensive aspect of the soccer.
The Utes return seven starters from a squad that allowed simply 22.5 factors per sport.
The unit is anchored by a star at each degree of the protection.
DE Logan Fanu, LB Lander Barton and security Tao Johnson all may very well be All-Large XII performers.
3. Arizona State
The secondary of CB Keith Abney, CB Javan Robinson, S Xavion Alford, and S Myles Rower are on par with the very best within the nation.
The line of defense is stout in opposition to the run.
CJ Fite has the prospect to interrupt out and grow to be an elite lineman this season.
Arizona State is poised to have a very good 12 months on the defensive aspect of the ball, however they should generate a greater go rush than they’d final season.
4. Washington Huskies
Last season, the Huskies had been actually good in opposition to the go, rating second within the nation, permitting simply 166 yards per sport by means of the air.
Now, that was partially as a result of they had been additionally porous in opposition to the run, and groups didn’t must throw the ball. This season, Washington ought to be capable to shut down the passing sport with a pair of elite, lengthy corners on the surface.
The Huskies ought to see a big enchancment in opposition to the run, and a few transfers will assist facilitate that.
Search for Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei to make a direct influence on the road whereas Taariq Al-Uqdah will do the identical at linebacker. Isaiah Ward ought to wreak havoc on the sting.
5. Boise State Broncos
Boise State has an elite go rusher in Jayden Virgin-Morgan.
The again finish of the protection has a pair of stars in cornerback Jeremiah Earby and security Ty Benefield.
The linebackers even have some playmakers in Marco Notarainni and Jake Ripp.
This was a Broncos unit that allowed simply 22.6 factors per sport in 2024 and may very well be higher in 2025.
6. BYU Cougars
The Cougars had been opportunistic on protection final season, creating 29 takeaways, third-most within the nation.
BYU does an awesome job of disguising coverages and using strain to confuse opposing quarterbacks with totally different seems to be.
Additionally they have some playmakers in protection.
Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker are among the best LB parings in America and Evan Johnson has an opportunity to be one of many higher CBs within the Large XII.
7. USC Trojans
Look for USC to make an enormous bounce on the protection in 12 months Two beneath D’Anton Lynn.
The secondary and linebackers may very well be strengths of your entire group in 2025.
Eric Gentry is a do-everything linebacker who may play at an elite degree this season. Kamari Ramsey is again at security and will likely be joined within the secondary by cornerbac D.J. Harvey and security Bishop Fitzgerald.
The Trojans may very well be troublesome to throw in opposition to this season, and the with Lynn’s schemes in his second season, the Trojans ought to generate a go rush.
8. UCLA Bruins
The Bruins protection improved all through the season final fall.
Bringing in Lawrence Key at security pays dividends for a unit that was 108th within the nation in opposition to the go in 2024.
The linebackers within the 4-3 set will likely be good with Jalen Woods, JonJon Vaughns, and, more than likely, Ben Perry manning the center. That group will anchor this protection.
This was a group that ranked sixth within the nation in opposition to the run, and if the go protection improves, the Bruins protection may very well be harmful.
9. San Diego State Aztecs
The Aztecs are one other group that improved on the defensive aspect of the soccer because the 2024 season progressed.
SDSU brings again nearly everybody from that unit.
Additionally they simply may need probably the most harmful go rusher within the nation within the type of Trey White. Chris Johnson and Bryce Phillips are wonderful in protection on the surface whereas Tano Letuli may have a breakout season at LB.
With the nucleus SDSU has returning together with expertise coming in, reminiscent of DT Malachi Finau, this Aztec protection has the prospect to be good.
10. San Jose State Spartans
The Spartans may very well be poised for a particular season in 2025. If that’s to occur, the defensive unit must carry out—and I believe they’ll.
The unit will likely be led by a pair of seniors who could make performs, DT Gafa Faga and LB Jordan Pollard. Final season they had been respectable in opposition to the run and added depth alongside the road will preserve the entrance of the 3-4 protection recent.
The Spartans must create extra of a go rush however they intercepted 21 passes in in 2024, tying BYU for probably the most per sport within the nation.
SJSU has to switch a pair of starters at CB however the secondary is an skilled, senior-laden group with the depth to beat the departures. However with the excessive risk-high reward nature of the schemes, they might want to make performs.
11. California Golden Bears
The Bears could battle within the ACC in 2025, however individuals thought that final 12 months and so they made a bowl and practically pulled off a few main upsets alongside the way in which.
Now the offense misplaced numerous key gamers in 2025, however the protection may be capable to preserve them in some video games this season.
T.J. Bollers, Nate Burrell and Aiden Keannaaina give the Bears a stable entrance on protection.
The true vivid spot, I believe, is the linebacker group. It’s a deep group led by Cade Uluave and Buom Jock. This LB unit may be one of many nation’s largest surprises.
12. UNLV Rebels
The Rebels have shifted from a defensive-oriented coach to at least one who reduce his tooth on the offensive aspect of the ball.
UNLV additionally should exchange numerous departed expertise, however there may be purpose for optimism on the defensive aspect.
The linebackers ought to be good with Marsel McDuffie returning and the additions of Bryce Edmondson and Justin Flowe.
Equally, the secondary confronted a ton of exits, however an inflow in transfers ought to assist. If the Rebels can generate a go rush, the protection behind the entrance ought to be capable to carry out.
writes about varied subjects for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and information, school sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Heart (SERC).
