GREENVILLE, S.C. -- When asked recently about the spur and bandit positions in Furman's defense, head coach Clay Hendrix exuded confidence, and it's easy to see why.

With one starter and four lettermen returning, including the premier pass rusher in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), the Paladins appear well positioned to receive more outstanding play from the two slots this fall.

"Those are probably two of the strongest positions on our team, and there is a lot of competition for playing time," Hendrix said following Monday's practice.  

Both positions are key components in Furman's base 3-4 defense, with the bandit post a hybrid linebacker/defensive end with some pass rushing responsibility, and the spur position more of a hybrid linebacker/safety with greater pass coverage duties who works more in the open field.

"When you talk about spur, you are talking about Jordan Willis (6-0, 207, Sr.), a team captain who has played a ton of football for us."

Willis, who has seen action in 34 games and made 10 starts, is coming off a 75-tackle campaign in 2018 that proved vital in Furman winning five of its final six games en route to gaining a share of the SoCon championship.

"Jordan has had a solid camp so far, but he will be pushed.  I think one of the good things about our football team is we have a bunch of returning starters who played well last year but who have major competition to again be starters."

Expected to contend with Willis for a share of playing time is Dae'one Wilkins (6-0, 200, R-Fr.), whoHendrix rates as player "we are really high on.  He played in four games a year ago, and we were able to redshirt him.  He will play a lot in there for us."

Another performer in the mix at spur is highly regarded newcomer Jalen Miller (6-0, 205, R-Fr.), a January enrollee who took part in spring practice.

"We've been very pleased with Jalen's progress.  He may be so valuable on special teams that he may be one of the freshmen we go ahead and play.

"Those three guys (Willis, Wilkins, and Miller) we feel good about."

At bandit Furman will look for Adrian Hope (6-1, 218, R-So.) to take over the starting job vacated by the graduation of Chris Washington.  A year ago Hope came off the bench in all 10 games to notch 32 tackles, including a FCS leading 15 sacks, on the way to garnering second team Associated Press All-America honors.  The Ocala, Fla., product, who also finished second nationally with five forced fumbles, topped all freshman defenders with a fourth place finish in balloting for the STATS Jerry Rice Award, which is given annually to top freshman in the FCS.

"Adrian had a great year as a pass rusher, but we've challenged him to become more of an every down player.  He has a great combination of speed, get-off, and power.  He's not the biggest guy, but he has great power and plays with tremendous leverage.  Some of those tackles get so concerned about his get-off that when all of a sudden he attacks with power, it's something they are not ready for.  Of course great pass rushers aren't one-dimensional.  He's gotten bigger and stronger in the offseason.  People are going to take notice of him, which we hope will create advantages for other guys."

Dillon Vann (6-3, 234, R-Jr.) appears set to command playing time at bandit after making the move back to defense in the spring.  Two years ago he saw duty in 13 games, recorded 11 tackles and a sack, and collected a pair of interceptions, one of which he returned 33 yards for a touchdown in a 41-17 road victory over Chattanooga.

"Dillon played well over there (at bandit) two years ago. We moved him to tight end last year due to depth concerns, but with Chris Washington graduating we felt bandit was his best position to help us this year.  He put on a lot of weight in the offseason and is up to 235 pounds and physically in excellent shape. He is going to play a bunch for us."

Another veteran performer who will see action at bandit is Davonta Porter (6-2, 225, Jr.), who has logged action in 21 games and tallied 42 tackles in his first two seasons as a Paladin.

"Davonta came here as a safety, moved to spur, and is now at bandit.  We think he can give us some quality play this year."

Domenic Ferrari (6-0, 210, R-Fr.) could also figure into the mix at bandit, according to Hendrix, and Keegan Miller (6-0, 185, R-Fr.) also returns.

"We've got a chance to use those guys in a lot of different ways."