ISU’s position groups and taking a look at how they stand coming out of spring practice and heading into fall camp next month. Tuesday it was the offensive line, Thursday the cornerbacks and today: the safeties.

OUTLOOK

Mike Kramer was Montana State’s head coach for seven seasons. Four times (2001, ’02, ’03, ’05) the Bobcats led the Big Sky Conference in total defense. That was how Kramer helped a team go from 0-11 in his first season to three league championships.

Idaho State’s defense hasn’t reached that kind of production, never allowing fewer than 31.4 points per game in a single season. Kramer has said the only way Idaho State’s defense can resemble the defenses he had at MSU is if his safeties rise their level of play.

After four seasons, Kramer might finally have those players. Seniors Taison Manu and Cody Sorensen are two-year starters, each with their own ups and downs in the program. Manu struggled as a sophomore and lost his starting spot. Sorensen tore his ACL and missed the entire 2012 season.

But both had productive junior seasons, and they’ve become the undisputed leaders of Idaho State’s defense.

“Safety is like our offensive line. We’re to the point now where our safety play will always be the most important part of our team,” Kramer said in the spring.

CONCERNS

What the heck happens if either Sorensen or Manu goes down with an injury? In the spring, ISU didn’t have many options when Manu hurt his lower leg during a scrimmage.

To add depth, the Bengals signed Diablo Valley Community College transfer Jeremy Bittle in May. Bittle, who is from Antioch, California, was second at Diablo Valley with 50 tackles as a sophomore. Kramer said he’ll have an impact when he arrives in the fall.

ISU also signed high school senior Nico Aguirre out of Brawley, California. And don’t forget about senior Kamino Ward. The former San Bernadino Valley junior college product saw limited time on the field as a junior, but had an expanded role in the spring following Manu’s injury.

Make no mistake, though. Nobody can replace the experience, leadership and production Sorensen and Manu bring to the field.

THE STAR

Your pick. Sorensen finished 2014 with 95 tackles, a sack and one interception while starting all 12 games. Manu also started every game and had 110 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception and eight passes defended.

They were at their best in Idaho State’s thrilling 30-28 victory over Cal Poly, combining for 25 tackles against the run-heavy Mustangs.

PLAYER ON THE RISE

Kamino Ward. He played in seven games in his first season with the Bengals and had a total of five tackles. He looked ready for a bigger role in Idaho State’s defense during the spring.

If he plays well once fall camp begins, Ward has an opportunity to play strong safety in Idaho State’s nickel package (five defensive backs), because Manu has traditionally moved to the nickel cornerback spot in the formation.

A season ago, Daniel Roundtree, an SMU transfer, held that role and finished the season with 35 tackles. Ward has the same sort of potential.

BOTTOM LINE

Kramer raves about Manu and Sorensen. Entering their third season with the current defensive coaching staff, they’ve become the “quarterbacks” of Idaho State’s defense.

Idaho State has at least five new starters in its front seven. Sorensen and Manu will make sure everybody is in position to do their job.