The Bill Lynch era of DePauw football is underway.
The Tigers will sport a high-octane spread offense and a defense that improved dramatically down the stretch last season.
Head coach Bill Lynch said the team has 45 new players. He said he is happy so far with the team, but they “have a lot of work to do.”
Defensively, DePauw maintains key leadership in the linebacking core with experienced defensive backs. The defensive line has opportunities for young players to make an impact. Seniors Michael McManis and Patrick Keller will lead that unit that has been a strength for DePauw in the past. The Tigers secondary is a crop of young players who gained experience from last season.
“I like the way they’re working at it,” Lynch said. “They’re buying into Coach [Jay] Hood’s defensive scheme.”
On offense, player battles should create an interesting scenario on the line. Sophomores Hunter Logan, Taylor Shellman and Kody Bontreger all played major minutes last year as did juniors Chad Hale, Craig Neece and Dan Howard.
Options also grace the receiving corps with talented targets such as seniors Jackson Kirtley and Nikko Sansone. Former DePauw basketball stand out, senior Barry Flynn, will also play receiver.
Junior J.D. Robinson will switch from linebacker to tight end alongside senior Kevin Ude.
The quarterback position is still in question for the Tigers. Sophomore Justin Murray and junior Drew Seaman both started in contests last year.
“We’re evaluating as we go,” Lynch said. “That’s going to be a tough decision, but one we will make on game week.”
DePauw starts their season Sept. 7 against Sewanee University of the South.