Oddly enough, Dana Holgersen’s most significant trans- formation in Year One may involve the Cougars’ defense.

Holgorsen hired defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen and line coach Brian Early from Arkansas State to install a four-man front, and the Cougars exited spring drills with the front four arguably the deepest unit on the team — so much so that coaches will micromanage playing time with an eye on redshirting as many players as possible.

“We don’t have any Ed Olivers or next-level difference makers, but we might, because they’re pretty much developmental guys,” Holgorsen said. “Joe and Brian do as good a job as I have seen on rotating guys. I’m very impressed with how those guys coach and how we improved in the spring.”

Payton Turner sat out the spring recovering from foot surgery. Of those who lined up in March and April, Holgorsen said standouts included Alexander Duke, tackle Blake Young, pass rushers Isaiah Chambers and Derek Parish, converted linebacker Leroy Godfrey and nose tackle Aymiel Fleming.

Juniors Jordan Carmouche, one of three players from Houston-area power Manvel on the roster, and junior college transfer Terrance Edgeston emerged as probable starters. As with the defensive front, Holgorsen is high on his younger prospects.

“We should be decent there, and next year we’ll be pretty damn good,” he said.

The Cougars will play a 4-2-5 scheme on defense, and the secondary, at this point, shapes up as their big- gest concern. The spring loss of Javian Smith, a pro- jected starter at cornerback, only exacerbates the issue.

Grant Stuard is penciled in as the nickel back, and Gleson Sprewell and Deontay Anderson, another of the Manvel alumni group, performed well during the spring at safety.

Pending eligibility decisions on transfer safety Jordan Moore from Texas A&M and Marcus Jones from Troy could help ease concerns. Cornerback Ka’Darian Smith missed the spring with injuries but is expected to be back.

Dalton Witherspoon, who connected on seven of nine field goal attempts last year, gets a good report from Holgersen. But the guy who really caught his eye on special teams was Australian rugby-style punter Dane Roy, who had 22 kicks inside the 20-yard line last season.