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Now that Coach Jones is coming to SMU, this is as good a time as any to consider position changes. It happens all the time, and since everyone is basically auditioning for their jobs all over again, some people surely are going to move. My suggestions:

Vincent Chase: left tackle
Has been as big as 270 before and looks like he could carry a lot more weight. Very strong, and a punishing blocker. Since Coach Jones' offense doesn't use a tight end, he's got to play somewhere. Slap another 20-30 pounds on him. Ben Poynter is gone and I heard somewhere that Chase Smith has had shoulder issues (hope that's not true). There have been some really good tackles who started out as tight ends.

Patrick Fleming: wide receiver
See the "no tight ends in this offense" rule ... Fleming is tall (6'4"? 6'5"?) runs very well and has terrific hands. Could be a major headache for opposing defenses, sort of like some of the goofy tight ends Boise State used to use. Seems able to find seams in a defense. Could team with Bradley Haynes to give SMU a pair of really big targets in Coach Jones' 62-WR sets.

De'Von Bailey: outside linebacker
I know, it's not popular to move such a highly regarded prospect, but he might be a real monster at OLB. He's tall and looks like he'll add weight just by growing into his frame (not to mention second helpings in the cafeteria and more time in the weight room). Runs a little upright for a safety, so he might be better suited to LB than SS, anyway. With his wheels and athleticism, and his obvious ability to add another 20 pounds, he could be a really good-sized LB.

Mario Walker: inside linebacker
Sort of a "tweener" because of limited size, but he's pretty mobile and seems like a willing hitter on special teams. Maybe a backup safety?

Andrew McKinney: defensive end or middle linebacker
A move that should have been made years ago. He's huge (got up to 270, didn't he?) and fast, and absolutely destroys people on special teams. He's fast enough to run sideline-to-sideline, and strong enough to take on big linemen. Seems just crazy enough that he might be absolutely nasty on defense, at either position. A far cry from the "small's OK if you can run" LBs in the past. He's huge and fast. This move should be an absolute must.

Phillip Burley: wide receiver
Big target supposedly slowed down a bit as he added weight after surgery. Trim the weight back off him and let make him a third big target outside, along with Haynes and Fleming. (Suddenly not as concerned about the WR crew.)

Szymon Czerniak: defensive end
Tall (6'5") and kind of slim (236) guy who supposedly runs well and just doesn't look (to me, at least) like he can add enough bulk to stay inside at DT.

Julian Herron: safety
The guy is listed at 6-0, 205 and he has fantastic speed. Smart guy, from what I hear, and supposedly a very hard hitter. Put him back there with Bryce Hudman, Rock Dennis, Tyler Jones, etc., and the back end of the defense looks OK.

Austin Michelson: inside linebacker
Can you tell I'd like to see bigger (6-4, 260) linebackers?

Zac Thomas: defensive end
He's big and maybe the strongest guy on the team, but he also runs pretty well. Played DE in high school, so he's not completely new to the position. Put him outside with McKinney and Handy and Johnson and Robinson and you've got yourself a pass rush.

Terrance Wilkerson: cornerback
Great athlete, don't see him getting a shot at QB with Willis, Rhodes, Turner and now Braden Smith around. Get him on the field and let him make plays with his wheels and his hands. Running the offense he ran in high school, he clearly isn't afraid of contact.

Youri Yenga: outside linebacker
Looked at times last year like a very natural pass rusher. Why not start him with a little more open space and let him fly all over the field?

A lot of those make some real sense. Would love to see McKinney play MLB, and would pity the first guy who runs up the middle.

Herron to safety is a good call, too, as is Yenga to OLB.

I want to see Bailey stay at SS, though.

Yep. McKinney would be a BEAST at MLB!

250, 260 and 270 is too big for a LB in the modern age unless he is a freak that can run a 4.60-4.65 Forty.

Stallion wrote:250, 260 and 270 is too big for a LB in the modern age unless he is a freak that can run a 4.60-4.65 Forty.

He was on kickoffs last year and was always the first guy down the field to basically blow up the wedge. The guy can run, at least in terms of football speed. Not sure how it would show up in flat out sprint tests, but he can motor with a full set of pads on, no doubt.

for example just looked at Texas Football-most Big 12 MLBs as well as CUSA and TCU MLBs are in the 220-235-240 range with only one near 250(253)

Stallion wrote:for example just looked at Texas Football-most Big 12 MLBs as well as CUSA and TCU MLBs are in the 220-235-240 range with only one near 250(253)

If he's comfortable at this weight, I'd hope they give him a shot @ DE-- McKinney motors pretty good & hit like a hammer.

Stallion wrote:for example just looked at Texas Football-most Big 12 MLBs as well as CUSA and TCU MLBs are in the 220-235-240 range with only one near 250(253)

I just want to see the guy knock skulls. We can put him at DE, or wherever, but at either position he'll fill a hole in our Defense.

I think that Bennet was trying to strike oil twice by moving Yenga to DE. I think he was hoping for the 2nd coming of Justin Rogers.

-CoS

I talked to him after JJ's press conference, he said he wanted a shot at LB, then DE.

ALEX LIFESON wrote:I talked to him after JJ's press conference, he said he wanted a shot at LB, then DE.

"him" being Youri Yenga? outside LB would seem like his natural position

Andrew McKinney.

Julian Herron actually really is interested in switching to strong safety so he can cover.

Putting McKinney at MLB in theory would offset the deficit we have in size and experience at DT.

In terms of pure sprinting speed, McKinney is fine. Learning the position, the techniques, etc. ... would be interesting to see. I talked to him after the press conference, and he said he will do absolutely anything Coach Jones asks him to, but he would like to play defense. He said he just has the defensive mentality, where he prefers hitting people. Personally, I hope he gets a shot.