Spring Roster

[footballdad]

Come Fall, some of our true Freshman are going to have to step up on the DL.
By my count, we have 9 scholarship defensive lineman on the roster.
1) Thedford is under 240lbs. If you look at the Lawler video, he is the guy who looks like a stick person
2) Both Scott brothers are under 250lbs. If teams see them out there, they dare them to deal with 300lb OT's with lots of power runs right at them.
3) Pruitt and Lawler are under 260lbs and Biggurs is 268lbs

Bottom Line: Only Gentry, Minor, and Green are "big" enough.

Lawler, stick person, seriously? Lawler and Gentry are the 2 guys that have played all along, and have played above their 'rankings'. Lawler was plenty 'big' enough last year, and one of the few guys who made any plays on defense. Those 2 will continue to be integral parts of the defense until they graduate. Lucky to have both. Overrated 'big' guys like Minor and Green will most likely be the ones being replaced by the freshmen and redshirt freshmen.

[JasonB]

Come Fall, some of our true Freshman are going to have to step up on the DL.
By my count, we have 9 scholarship defensive lineman on the roster.
1) Thedford is under 240lbs. If you look at the Lawler video, he is the guy who looks like a stick person
2) Both Scott brothers are under 250lbs. If teams see them out there, they dare them to deal with 300lb OT's with lots of power runs right at them.
3) Pruitt and Lawler are under 260lbs and Biggurs is 268lbs

Bottom Line: Only Gentry, Minor, and Green are "big" enough.

In a 4-3, you can have a DE at 260. My LDE I want a little bigger than the RDE because that is traditionally the strong side, so I want that position to be closer to 270. Lawler has the frame to be that LDE, his weight isn't quite there yet. I don't think he has the pure burst to be an outstanding RDE. I think LDE is his skill set if he puts more weight on, but just my opinion.

In the old days, you could have a pass rush specialist at 240-250 at RDE, but now with so many teams running fast paced spread offenses, situational rushers aren't really viable. That said, if the Scott brothers are a shade under 250 right now, I bet they are close to 260 at the start of fall practice and prime candidates for that RDE position. I would rather sacrifice a little size for more athleticism at that spot.

[Digetydog]

Come Fall, some of our true Freshman are going to have to step up on the DL.
By my count, we have 9 scholarship defensive lineman on the roster.
1) Thedford is under 240lbs. If you look at the Lawler video, he is the guy who looks like a stick person
2) Both Scott brothers are under 250lbs. If teams see them out there, they dare them to deal with 300lb OT's with lots of power runs right at them.
3) Pruitt and Lawler are under 260lbs and Biggurs is 268lbs

Bottom Line: Only Gentry, Minor, and Green are "big" enough.

Lawler, stick person, seriously? Lawler and Gentry are the 2 guys that have played all along, and have played above their 'rankings'. Lawler was plenty 'big' enough last year, and one of the few guys who made any plays on defense. Those 2 will continue to be integral parts of the defense until they graduate. Lucky to have both. Overrated 'big' guys like Minor and Green will most likely be the ones being replaced by the freshmen and redshirt freshmen.

In the Lawler video, there is a tall, skinny guy that looks like a stick person that shows up in multiple shots - that is Thedford #88. Although not "huge," Pruitt and Lawler are probably big enough to play DE.

Finally, my original post should have said: Only Gentry, Minor, and Green are "big" enough "to play defensive tackle." In terms of replacing people, Biggurs is the only RS Freshman DT available. Since we haven't seen Biggurs play a down, he is a question mark. The other RS Freshman (Scott Brothers and Thedford) are DE's and nowhere near big enough to play DT.

If we suffer any kind of injuries at DT, we have play the true freshman (or the JUCO Transfer) in the Fall (ready or not).

[Top Twenty]

There is a little cleaning up to do on the roster as to class year and letters earned.

[footballdad]

Come Fall, some of our true Freshman are going to have to step up on the DL.
By my count, we have 9 scholarship defensive lineman on the roster.
1) Thedford is under 240lbs. If you look at the Lawler video, he is the guy who looks like a stick person
2) Both Scott brothers are under 250lbs. If teams see them out there, they dare them to deal with 300lb OT's with lots of power runs right at them.
3) Pruitt and Lawler are under 260lbs and Biggurs is 268lbs

Bottom Line: Only Gentry, Minor, and Green are "big" enough.

Lawler, stick person, seriously? Lawler and Gentry are the 2 guys that have played all along, and have played above their 'rankings'. Lawler was plenty 'big' enough last year, and one of the few guys who made any plays on defense. Those 2 will continue to be integral parts of the defense until they graduate. Lucky to have both. Overrated 'big' guys like Minor and Green will most likely be the ones being replaced by the freshmen and redshirt freshmen.

In the Lawler video, there is a tall, skinny guy that looks like a stick person that shows up in multiple shots - that is Thedford #88. Although not "huge," Pruitt and Lawler are probably big enough to play DE.

Finally, my original post should have said: Only Gentry, Minor, and Green are "big" enough "to play defensive tackle." In terms of replacing people, bigger is the only RS Freshman DT available. Since we haven't seen Biggurs play a down, he is a question mark. The other RS Freshman (Scott Brothers and Thedford) are DE's and nowhere near big enough to play DT.

If we suffer any kind of injuries at DT, the we have play the true freshman (or the JUCO Transfer) in the Fall (ready or not).

Correct, Thedford a Morris head scratcher from the get go. If anything, he's a pass catching TE, no idea why he was recruited as a DE. Had some sacks in high school playing against weak competition. Doesn't have the frame to bulk up enough to play DE. Guess they needed somebody/anybody for the DL in that original class.

McLaurin & Jones better be ready to rotate inside the minute they step on campus. Hopefully, Zelt finally steps up his game, he has run out of time. Gentry and Lawler have got to stay healthy the entire year, or it could get even uglier for the defense.

[One Trick Pony]

He's a transfer from Ethiopia junior College

[Bergermeister]

it could get even uglier for the defense.

Is that even possible?

[ALEX LIFESON]

Don't forget about our Juco defensive tackle from Trinity, J.T. Williams...6-2 295.

[Digetydog]

it could get even uglier for the defense.

Is that even possible?

Unfortunately, yes. Look at this 2-3 deep from late in the fall. . http://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-de ... /smu/91809
On defense, if you delete the guys who left, the players we can pencil in as "proven" (2-deep worthy) are: Lawler, Gentry, Green, D. Richardson and ??
Given our problems at LB and DB, virtually every one of those jobs (2-deep) has to be a question mark.

[Stallion]

The Scott brothers are coming along fine at about 244 and 248 with about 6 months to go. They can play at least situationally at 260. Delonte was at about 210 as a Senior in high school so both are moving in the right direction (unlike June's infamous last class of OLM)

[ponynut]

I just love all the experts on this board. Keep it up, it is so informative.

[StallionsModelT]

Thedford is not a head scratcher in any way. You can't teach 6-7 235 and have the kind of athletic ability he possesses. Remember he's only been playing football for three years. He's not going to make an immediate impact but the talent is there. This was a kid that Morris was keeping tabs on when he was at Clemson. I'm willing to play the slow game to see if he can be a player.

[Digetydog]

Thedford is not a head scratcher in any way. You can't teach 6-7 235 and have the kind of athletic ability he possesses. Remember he's only been playing football for three years. He's not going to make an immediate impact but the talent is there. This was a kid that Morris was keeping tabs on when he was at Clemson. I'm willing to play the slow game to see if he can be a player.

I'll take all the tall, athletic guys he can sign up.

If he can't play on the DL, he could probably help at TE.

[footballdad]

Thedford is not a head scratcher in any way. You can't teach 6-7 235 and have the kind of athletic ability he possesses. Remember he's only been playing football for three years. He's not going to make an immediate impact but the talent is there. This was a kid that Morris was keeping tabs on when he was at Clemson. I'm willing to play the slow game to see if he can be a player.

Very much a reach, in the June mold. Miami of Ohio and UTEP only other offers (for a reason). Sure he might work out, much like Jerry Saena and Bo Antunovic, might have worked out. Like I said, TE the only real possibility here.

[PonyKai]

Meh, he has two more D-1 offers than 55% of June's last roster here. Looks like our "reaches" are improving as well!