There is no #80 on the roster. Nikko Hall wore it last year, but he got in some trouble with the law last October so that may or may not be affecting his status on the roster. Kinda sucks.

Anyway, we went over the All-Opponent team offense earlier this week, now the All-Opponent Defense.

Payne and Davis rotated in against Colorado State, plugging up the middle and suffocating the Rams’ running game. Payne would earn first team All-SEC and get drafted in the first round of the draft by the Washington Redskins. Davis would earn first team All-SEC, second team All-SEC twice, and get drafted in the second round by the Miami Dolphins.

For the most part defensive tackles are pretty boring to write about, but this was cool:

Other DT’s considered: David Moa (Boise State), Da’Shawn Hand (Alabama)

Thank god this guy went pro already. He earned MWC first team twice and was the 2019 MWC Defensive Player of the Year. Against the Rams he recorded three sacks and an interception, but the stats don’t really reflect the havoc he creates. The Dolphins selected Weaver in the fifth round of the draft.

Zuniga’s teammate Jachai Polite probably had the better college career, but Zuniga wrecked Colorado State with 5 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a QB hurry. Zuniga was poised to have a big senior season until it got derailed by an ankle injury. He still got drafted in the third round by the New York Jets anyway.

Other DE’s considered: Alex Barrett (San Diego State), Malik Reed (Nevada), Carl Granderson (Wyoming), Jachai Polite (Florida)

Nothing more frustrating than getting beat up by some dude named Leighton Vander Esch. In polo or rowing? Sure. But football? Come on. Sir Vander Esch of Leighton’s career was marred by injuries, but his only full season led to him being named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. In his only game against CSU he recorded 13 tackles and forced the game deciding fumble in overtime.

Vander Esch would end up getting drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys.

Wilson earned All-MWC honors in 2017 and 2019. Not bad for a dude from Casper, Wyoming. He was a constant menace to CSU, recording 40 tackles and an interception over his career. He has to play for the Cincinnati Bengals now. KARMA!

Fackrell’s stellar college career was in jeopardy when he wrecked his ACL in his junior season. He was able to rehab and come back strong and earned first team All-MWC the next year. Against CSU in 2015 he had 6 tackles, 3 TFLs, and 1 sack. The Green Bay Packers drafted him in third round, a groundbreaking day for all the Kyler’s in suburbs across America.

Other LB’s considered: Nick Vigil (Utah State), Calvin Munson (San Diego State), Jahlani Tavai (Hawaii), Nate Landman (Colorado), Isaiah Buggs (Alabama)

Kazee was a two time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and one of the best players in Mountain West history, regardless of position. He was a one-man wrecking crew in the 2015 game against the Rams with 7 tackles, a pick six, and a forced fumble.

The Atlanta Falcons selected Kazee in the fifth round of the 2017 draft.

I’m listing Awuzie as a cornerback, but against the Rams this jerk basically lined up where ever he wanted. His best game against us came in his senior season when he record 8 tackles, 1 TFL, and a pick. He earned All-PAC 12 second team on two occasions.

The Cowboys drafted him in the second round.

Other CB’s considered: Jalen Davis (Utah State), Isaiah Oliver (Colorado), Jalen Myrick (Minnesota)

Other CB’s not considered: The dudes on Alabama who got Mossed by Warren Jackson and Michael Gallup. (Never forget that Gallup had one too that was incorrectly ruled incomplete.)

Fitzpatrick is the most decorated athlete the Rams faced during the Bobo Era. Two-time consensus All-American, Jim Thorpe Award, Bednarik Award. His game against the Rams was only “ho-hum” with six tackles, but there’s no way he doesn’t make this team. The Dolphins picked him 11th overall in the 2018 draft.

A god damn Colorado Recruit^TM that we let slip right through our fingers! If only Addazio was around to #BoxHimIn! Wingard has an outstanding career in Laramie and was named to the All Mountain West first team three times. The stats he put up against CSU are irrelevant (although his 17 tackle, 1 sack performance in 2016 should be noted), the biggest impact was that he wasn’t wearing green and gold. It can’t be understated: missing out on Wingard was an absolute disaster. The Bobo Era Rams will forever have a Wingard shaped hole in their secondary and in our hearts.

Other S’s considered: Darian Thompson (Boise State), Weston Steelhammer (Air Force) Ronnie Harrison (Alabama), Tedric Thompson (Colorado)

Wait… another Colorado Recruit^TM ???

The Rams never really had a shot at the Mullen product after schools like Alabama and Notre Dame offered. Scott would be an All-SEC player at Alabama and then get drafted in the fifth round by the Packers.

There you go! Your All-Mike Bobo Era Opponents Team!

And unless the team adds a #79 overnight, I’ll have to come up with some other gimmicky thing tomorrow. Go Rams!