I don't see any first year freshman on defense avoiding the red shirt if our linebacking corp. stays healthy. My question for the next couple of weeks is "Is one of those 4 LBs going to be able to step up and take a spot from an upperclassman?" I don't see it happening, but I'd be tickled to death if it did.
I do not think any true freshman will start on the D.... especially at LB, I expect the LBs to reshirt or get more plays on STs than on D. I do expect the redshirt Freshmen to challenge for some starting sports. McKensie will start at UGa and maybe all season if he remains healthy. If any D freshmen do not redshirt they will be playing on STs.
I would like to see some freshman returning KOs. I hated seeing Watkins back there.