Thanks, Boomer.
btw-Boomer, don't you say Austin is not big enough! the Swarm police will rip you up,I know. He's a player but he is going to see A LOT of 6-4,230 guys to cover
Okay, okay, maybe I went overboard in attacking your criticism of Austin. And I do apologize for that, it detracts from everyone's enjoyment of the board. I think the point that I was making was having a playmaker on defense is an asset, not a liability. You can hedge against a potential height mismatch by substituting packages or tweaking the scheme. Situational football is a huge part of the game, is it not? And everyone agrees that our defense won't have the best outright talent on the field when play teams like FSU, Clemson. So, situational football, flexibility, "dialing up pressure" / forcing the offensive's hand seems like our best path.
I like Ted Roof. I like Pelton. I don't know enough about the other coaches. Moving forward, I think we are stockpiling a very good group of defensive players, all with different skills. Since I think 2016 is our best bet at a NC, let's look at what our defense might look like. I don't think our defensive situation is as dire as people make it seem (after this season). I know it's speculative, but what do you think this group can be? Top 25? If yes, then add in J Thomas + that offense line = one hell of a season
Defensive Ends (Very Deep, very experienced, some serious pass rushing
potential)
- KeShun Freeman (JR, 3 year starter)
- Whitehead (Not sure about this one? Does he have two years of eligibility left?)
- Rook Chugong (RS, SR)
- Tyler Stargel (RS SR)
- Merriweather (RS SO I liked his high school tape, we'll see how he progresses)
- Antonio Simmons (RS SO, very high ceiling. high school tape was unreal)
- Saint-Amour (SO...let a man dream)
Defensive Tackle (The most glearing hole. Need our 2015 recruits to step up here...at least we recruited some talented kids who have a shot)
- Patrick Gambe (RS SR)
- Francis Kellon (RS SR - he can only get better)
- Henderson (S0 - early enrollee can only help)
- Glanton (So)
- Trent Sellers (RS FR - I really his senior film. I actually see him more as a SDE, but for depth purposes, he goes here)
- Scott Morgan (same as above)
- 1 of the 2014 offensive line recruits, if needed
Hard Hitting LBs (If we land Alexander, this is a very dynamic group.)
- Paul Davis (SR)
- Beau Hankins (RS SR)
- Tre Jackson (RS SO)
- Victor Alexander (RS FR - again, I'm a dreamer)
Coverage LB / I don't know much about them LBs (Terrell Lewis seems like the perfect skillset to compliment paul davis, we'll see how that develops)
- Terrell Lewis (JR)
- Marcus Allen (?)
- Brant Mitchell (RS FR)
- Tyler Cooksey (RS FR)
DBs (I like this group the most, especially if Step can turn into a true #1 corner)
- Step (JR)
- Austin (JR)
- Austin (JR)
- Lynn Griffin (SR)
- Corey Griffin (RS JR)
- Marvin (RS JR)
- AJ Gray (So - maybe my favorite recruit)
- Campbell/Qua (if needed, both appear to be elite athletes)
- Johnson (Size!)
- Wigley/Dotson
