Memphis defense, special teams position-by-position grades for 2021 season

Memphis' defense was on pace to be one of the worst in the country last season. Things cleaned up slightly in the final four games but it still wasn't pretty.

The Tigers were in the AAC's bottom four teams in the major defensive categories (scoring, rushing, passing and total defense). They also finished 114th nationally in first downs allowed per game (23.2) and 125th in opponent third-down conversion rate (48.02%).

These are the concerns that new defensive coordinator Matt Barnes inherits after being hired this month As for special teams? The field-goal unit also improved in November but still ended the season 114th in percentage (63.2%).

OFFENSE GRADES: Memphis football offense position-by-position grades for 2021 season

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Here's how we graded the Memphis defense and special teams in 2021.

Defensive line

Starters: Morris Joseph, John Tate, Wardalis Ducksworth.

Backups: Maurice White, Cam'Ron Jackson, Zy Brockington.

Grade: D

Review: The Tigers had 16 sacks in their last four games but overall they struggled getting consistent pressure or stopping the run. Joseph's 1 1/2 sacks was a step backwards from having seven in 2020 while Ducksworth (four sacks) had a solid year. It's also hard forgetting Tulsa and Houston running wild or Tulane getting 305 rushing yards in the season finale. Tate will be the only loss for 2022 but the biggest change will be a 4-2-5 scheme under Barnes that will hopefully fix some things.

Linebackers

Starters: JJ Russell, Thomas Pickens, Cole Mashburn, Jaylon Allen

Backups: Keith Brown, Xavier Cullens, Cincir Evens, Bryce Edmondson

Grade: B

Review: As expected before the season, the linebackers were the strength of the defense. Russell earning All-AAC first team honors with 123 tackles. Cullens was fourth on the team with 70 tackles and Allen had a team-high five sacks. Despite some solid tackling in the group, there were third down lapses that kept opposing drives alive. Cullens should be a candidate to lead this group in 2022 although replacing Russell and Pickens won't be easy. Mashburn will need a break out season too but there's inexperience behind this group that has to grow up fast in a new scheme.

Defensive backs

Starters: Jacobi Francis, Greg Rubin , Quindell Johnson, Rodney Owens

Backups: Sylvonta Oliver, Julian Barnett, Tyrez Lindsey, Sanchez Blake

Grade: C

Review: Memphis improved from 117th to 104th in passing defense but it doesn't obscure the lows, starting with allowing 582 passing yards to Arkansas State. Quindell Johnson had an All-AAC season at safety and Rodney Owens moving to safety helped him grow as a playmaker. Rubin was a revelation beating out Barnett, a Michigan State transfer, but teams picked on the freshman often. Despite only allowing over 300 yards in one of their final seven games, playing zone coverage obscured how suspect the Tigers were in man-to-man. They didn't allow many big plays but the smaller ones added up. Johnson, Owens and Rubin return but will things get better in 2022?

Special teams

Starter: Joe Doyle (K/P), Davis Kemp (K), Gabriel Rogers (KR), Calvin Austin III (PR)

Grade: D (specialists), C (returners)

Review: Memphis made five field goals in its first game but it took 10 games to make the next five. Doyle juggled kicking and punting duties due to injuries. Kemp went from missing his first two field goals and being benched for a month to going 5-for-5 in his final three games. That finish - along with Doyle's 43.9 average per punt - is why there's hope the kicking game can be better with both returning.

Austin's 94-yard punt return touchdown against Mississippi State was one of the plays of the season. Once he got hurt, however, the punt return game suffered. Rogers averaged a respectable 24.95 yards per return and he'll be back but replacing Austin on special teams is a priority.

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You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football: How we graded Tigers defense, special teams in 2021