Grand Valley's best teams over the years have featured a dominant defense among other great things.

Last year's 12-3 team, which reached the NCAA Division II national semifinals, had a dominant defense often – just not all the time.

And all the time is what head coach Matt Mitchell considers a goal for the 2017 Lakers as they work through spring practice.

"I look at our three losses and the Tiffin game (win) as games where we needed to play better defense, and in two of them we gave up way too many explosive plays, and in two of the others we were just poor on third down," he said. "We've taken a look at our third down defense, found some things and if we can get that shored up; I think our defense really has a chance to carry this team.

"We dominated a few times last year. The win over Colorado-Pueblo, we were dominant. When we played Ashland the second time, we were dominant. We know we have the players and we are confident in our schemes. We have to put in the work and be better, be more consistent."

Mitchell is pleased with the progress this spring as the Lakers word toward the April 16 spring game.

The Lakers return 10 of 11 starters and several key second-unit players from last year's defense. Gone is the nation's top sack producer, defensive end Matt Judon, who is a probable NFL draft pick, so pass rush and filling his void up front is a point of emphasis this spring.

It is a good thing that Dylan Carroll, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end who will be a redshirt sophomore, is among the list of players having a great spring according to Mitchell.

"He got a lot of reps and made a lot of plays for us last year, and has looked great this spring," Mitchell said. "We're excited about what he can do for us."

Carroll is excited as well, and is making an effort to increase his efforts as a leader on the defensive line as well.

"I'm trying to embrace the role of being more of a leader because I have some experience," he said. "We have a lot of guys returning and everyone is fighting for positions and trying to get better, but we still need to develop team chemistry like we had last year."

De'Ondre Hogan returns for the final time at defensive tackle in the fall, and Keane Belcher, who played a lot last year in the defensive rotations, is back, too. Mark Rosenquist, a native of Sweden who transferred in and emerged last year, returns at nose tackle as does Sonny Haskins.  Alton Voss, who found a home at defensive end, last year, is back for the final time, too. Scott Tackett, who was in the mix at defensive end last year, is also returning.

"The defensive line should be stout against the run, and critical to our success," Mitchell said. "It starts up front. I like the guys we have back, and some of the younger guys, too. We've really improved the defensive line through our recruiting the last few years. I like the talent we have there."

Returning starters are everywhere at linebacker and all the defensive back positions, but Mitchell wants depth so the Lakers can rotate fresh players in and play aggressive defense every play. Look for linebackers like Rahju Blackmon, Michael Pettis, Isaiah Nkansah and Jon Jackson to emerge and compete for playing time.

"We have linebackers, but we have to continue to build depth and get them ready to play because Joe Moran and David Talley will be seniors, and Collin Schlosser will be a junior," Mitchell said. "The spring is a great time to get the young guys some depth. Linebacker should be a deep group for us this year."

The Lakers, by design, use what they call a Nickel linebacker, which is essentially a fifth defensive back with a mix of safety, cornerback and linebacker assignments. Marquez Gollman returns as a standout starter, and will be a senior.

Dae'Shaun Hurley, a transfer from Ball State, Nate Cole and Eric Plate are working this spring in the defensive backfield and are expected to show up on the field in the fall.

The Lakers return starting corners Devin McKissic and Tre Walton, who were young starters a year ago. Jacob Studdard and Khalil Hill played a lot last year and also return. Donte Carey and Garrett Pougnet, starters at the safety spots, return, as does Kyle Short.

"Again, we have experience, but I want to see how other guys fit in and can help, plus push the guys who played a lot last year to improve," Mitchell said. "We need to be able to absorb injuries next year, we need to have good special teams players and it helps the future of the program if we get the young guys in the games."