Idaho State returns three of its top four tacklers from last season on defense and has a number of other returning veterans.

The names everybody knows: Mario Jenkins, a freshman phenom for ISU as an inside linebacker last season. He finished fourth for the Jerry Rice Award given to the nation’s most outstanding freshman. Tyler Kuder, one of the top defensive linemen in the Big Sky and a guy coach Mike Kramer says has NFL potential. Cody Sorensen and Taison Manu, ISU’s starting senior safeties — a potent duo in the back end of the defense.

But among the returnees is a player who is a relative unknown: Hayden Stout. The junior has started the past two seasons and racked up 90 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. Stout, however, was the starting sam linebacker, a part-time position because the sam goes off the field when the Bengals switch from their base 3-4 defense to their nickel package.

This season, Stout is shifting to inside linebacker to play alongside Jenkins. Kramer envisions big things.

“Hayden Stout, he literally is our best defensive player right now top to bottom,” Kramer said Wednesday before Idaho State’s practice. “He’ll see the most action. He’ll be our leading tackler.”

TWO SPOTS OPEN FOR THE DEFENSE

Kramer said a majority of the starting spots on Idaho State’s defense are set. But there are a two positions to watch closely this fall.

One is at nose guard. Junior Chris Edwards is listed as the starter right now, but ISU has a number of guys vying for playing time. They are junior college transfers Nikko Taylor and Spencer Hoff and freshmen Robert Schwenke and Rasheed Williams.

Kramer said BYU transfer JonRyheem Peoples, who is in camp and practicing, hasn’t been cleared to play yet.

“He has an opportunity to be a part of us. But we’ll just have to wait and see,” Kramer said.

No matter who wins the job, expect a number of guys to contribute throughout the season.

The other position in flux is nickel safety. Before the fall, Kramer said he’d like to play either JC transfer Jeremy Bittle or senior Kamino Ward at strong safety and move Manu to the nickel in that formation (Manu is the Bengals’ first-string safety in their base defense).

PUNTER POSITION STILL IN THE AIR

Kramer said in July that Sean Cheney was going to miss the 2015 season because he tore his ACL over the summer. But on Wednesday, Kramer referred to Cheney’s ailment as an “Achilles injury.”

And ISU’s fifth-year coach hinted Cheney could return to the team later this season. If he does, Kramer said they’ll go back to the traditional punt. Until then, though, roll punting duties fall to sophomore kicker Zak Johnson.

“I have no freaking idea what the return of Sean Cheney will mean to the team,” Kramer said. “He hasn’t played for us, hasn’t punted for us. Zak Johnson hasn’t punted for us, hasn’t roll punted for us. I have no idea how it’s going to be. I’m going to close my eyes tight for the first four or five weeks of the season and we’ll call it from there.”

EXCITEMENT OVER NEW SCHEDULE

Idaho State has a daunting 2015 schedule. Not only do the Bengals play two FBS squads (Boise State and UNLV) and four straight road games in September and October, they host the Big Sky’s top three preseason teams, Eastern Washington (Oct. 17), Montana (Nov. 7) and Montana State (Nov. 14).

The Eagles are ranked sixth in the preseason FCS coaches poll, Montana State is No. 11 and Montana is sitting at No. 12 (Idaho State is ranked No. 24).

“Oh, I’m excited. As soon as I heard, I loved it,” Kuder said. “I just feel like as a whole team, we play way better at home. We have the home crowd. It’s a great atmosphere in Holt Arena. And it’s just better than playing at their place, especially 1-degree weather.”