GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The bandit and spur positions in Furman's defense will feature a couple of experienced performers along with some new faces this fall.

Leading the way at bandit will be one of Furman's most veteran defensive returnees, Luke Clark (6-3, 253, R-Sr.), who is coming off an impressive 2023 season that saw him register 53 tackles and a team leading six sacks on a unit that tallied 38 quarterback takedowns while helping the Paladins to a 10-3 season and Southern Conference championship.  A preseason Stats Perform All-America selection and consensus All-SoCon pick a year ago, he owns 26 starts and 12 sacks in his career.

"Luke is one of the most experienced players in our program and one of the better defensive players in our league," said head coach Clay Hendrix.  " He's played a ton of football for us and has really been productive versus the run and the pass.  We certainly look for him to have a big year."

Behind Clark the Paladins must overcome the loss to Alex Maier (6-4, 238, R-Jr.), a two-year letterman whose knee injury in the spring will sideline him for the 2024 campaign.  Maier's absence will ding Furman's depth at bandit, which would have benefited from his 11 games of quality work a year ago that featured 24 tackles and three sacks.

The top two candidates expected to fill the void include Dylan Chiedo (6-2, 239, R-So.) and Tanner Schuck (6-3, 233, R-Fr.).

"Dylan is a guy we moved from inside linebacker to bandit, thinking it is the best place to use his skill set.  He's a really good athlete and is smart.  I think he makes us better there against the run and the pass.

"Tanner's a young guy we redshirted a year ago who is really solid and dependable.  I think he, along with Dylan and Luke, will get the majority of snaps."

Two others who may have some role to play at bandit this year include Griffin Farmery (6-0, 223, R-Fr.) and December signee Trevor Short (6-3, 228, Fr.).

"Griffin has played inside and now outside.  He will provide us with depth.

"Trevor is a guy we are really high on.  As a senior in high school a year ago he played defensive back, but he's progressed to the point that we recruited him to play bandit.  He's shown that ability.  Now whether he will play this year or not we will see. He will be a fun guy to watch develop."

The spur/nickel back position may likely change from week to week based on what the Paladins expect to see and implement schematically, according to Hendrix.

"That position can be filled by a lot of guys on our team because we cross train a number of guys there."

What is known about the slot is the Paladins won't have graduated All-American performer Cally Chizik (64 tackles, 5 INTs) to lean on this year following a stellar 2023 campaign.

Heading into the preseason the name that garnered first mention at spur/nickel was Justin Hartwell (5-11, 204, R-Jr.), but that was before he sustained a season ending knee injury last week in practice.  Hartwell had seen most of his playing time at safety and as a special teams contributor.  

Players earning mentions to potentially see duty at the hybrid position are Brandt Babin (6-1, 218, R-Jr.), Will Kobuszewski (6-2, 207, R-Jr.), and possibly AK Burrell (6-0, 208, So.), who carries the safety position label.

"Brandt is a guy who we have playing inside linebacker who has played spur.  We could move him back out there, and Will Kobuszewski is another guy — a player who has been in our program for four years who is fighting to get on the field.

Jack Farrell (5-11, 182, Fr.) will provide depth.

"Again, how that position is utilized will likely be dependent on the stuff we expect to see," added Hendrix.

Furman's Fan Fest is slated for Saturday, Aug. 17, at 11:00 a.m. in Paladin Stadium.

Furman kicks off its 2024 season on Saturday, August 31, at Ole Miss in a 7:00 p.m. ET contest. 

Click HERE for Furman's complete 2024 schedule.

Paladin fans can renew or purchase new season tickets online by clicking HERE, or by calling Dwight Covington or Houghton Flanagan, or by emailing Houghton.Flanagan@Furman.edu.