re: Potential LSU DC Targets

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Over his first four seasons, the Badgers ranked third in scoring defense (17.2 points per game), fourth in total yards allowed (297.9 yards per game), fifth in rushing defense (112.3 ypg) and fifth in pass efficiency defense (109.0). Wisconsin forced the second-most turnovers of any FBS team during that span, with 104, and the Badgers’ 68 interceptions also ranked No. 2 nationally.

In 2019, Leonhard’s unit posted four shutouts — the first Big Ten team to do so since 1962 — and set a school record by allowing opponents to convert just 27.2% of their third-down attempts. Led by 12.5 from consensus All-America outside linebacker Zack Baun and 11.5 from All-Big Ten inside linebacker Chris Orr, the Badgers smashed the school record with 51 sacks on the season.

In its first year under Leonhard’s direction in 2017, the Badgers’ defense ranked second nationally in total yards allowed (262.1 ypg), third in scoring defense (13.9 ppg), third in rushing defense (98.4 ypg) and No. 1 in pass efficiency defense (96.4).

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In his 13th year overall as a Utah assistant coach, Morgan Scalley is in his fifth season as the defensive coordinator in 2020. He also continues to coach the safeties, as he has his entire time on the staff, and also served as Utah’s recruiting coordinator from 2009-15 and special teams’ coordinator in 2015.

The former Ute All-America safety began his coaching career as an administrative assistant with the Utes in 2006, moving into a graduate assistant role in 2007.

Scalley, who owns a reputation as one of the brightest defensive minds in the business, was a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2019 when the Utes ranked 2nd in the FBS in total defense. Utah has led the Pac-12 three times in his first four seasons as defensive coordinator in rushing defense (2016, '18 and '19)—ranking third in the nation in 2019 after ranking fifth in in 2018. The 2016 Utes led the conference in sacks (43) and tackles for loss (101) and ranked in the top 12 nationally in both. Over the past two seasons, Scalley's defense has held opponents to 10 points or fewer 12 times, second-most in all of FBS.

The 2019 Utah defense was one for the ages, leading the Pac-12 in total defense, passing defense, rushing defense, scoring defense, red zone defense, first downs allowed and third-down defense. Utah recorded the best statistical season by a conference team in the Pac-12 era in three categories: total yards (269.2), rushing yards (81.8) and points allowed (15.0). Scalley's unit recorded two shutouts, most by a Utah team since 2003, and held six opponents to seven points or fewer, most in a season by the Utes since 1969 (also 6). Utah held 10 of 14 opponents under 70 rushing yards, the most by an FBS team since 2006.

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David Reeves enters his fourth season as defensive coordinator and his fifth season overall at UAB.

A two-time Broyles Award nominee, Reeves’ unit has been one of the most disruptive defenses in the country over the past two years. In 2018, the Blazers finished ninth nationally in total defense and in 2019 moved up one spot to finish eighth.

Over the past two seasons, UAB has been among the nation’s best in getting to the quarterback, compiling 92 total sacks and 217 tackles for loss. Additionally, UAB has been able to get off the field when it counted the most, finished No. 2 nationally in third down defense in 2018 and No. 3 in 2019.

Reeves’ extraordinary efforts resulted in him being named a semifinalist for the 2018 Broyles Award and a nominee in 2019. The Broyles Award is annually given to the nation’s top assistant coach.

Under his guidance, the Blazers have shattered the record book. Along with finishing ninth in total defense (299.2) in 2018, UAB ranked top 10 nationally in five other statistical categories: second in third down defense (.260), fifth in fourth down defense (.318), fifth in sacks per game (3.43), seventh in scoring defense (17.0) and seventh in tackles for loss per game (7.9).

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