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Defensive end says he's working smarter and getting stronger, and says SMU defense will exceed expectations in 2014.

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While Minor continues to put in the work he needs to in order to make himself a better player, he said the defensive line, and the defense in general, should be improved in 2014.

“We really have some good athletes on the line,” he said, “and we’re deep. We can go three-deep, maybe four-deep, if we have to. What I really like is how hungry everyone is. We’re working hard every day. We have so many players who can play, we know nobody is promised anything, so if you want to play, you have to work.

“We know the book on us. We know there are people saying, ‘y’all aren’t going to do anything this year.’ But we’re ready to prove those people wrong.”


I believe our team for 2014 is heavily underrated. Hopefully they play every game with a chip on their shoulder and go on to win the AAC!

Minor was a real talent coming out of Lamar. Hope he can make more of an impact this year- God knows our secondary is going to need all of the pass rush they can get up front.

I wonder if Minor wouldn't be better suited full time as an end in a 4-3 scheme

The hardest position for mid major programs to recruit is defensive tackle/nose guard. The kids who are physically ready to play in the interior are snatched up by the big boy programs. Its a lot easier to recruit linebackers than it is to recruit big run stuffing defensive tackles. That said, I think the following would be a pretty solid two deep 4-3 scheme defensive line:

Beau Barnes
Darrian Wright
Zelt Minor
Stephon Sanders

Zach Wood
Nick Reed
Spencer Hollie
Elie Nabushoshi

Great article and great job PP.

I noticed Minor had limited skills last season and it is refreshing to hear him realize it and set about improving. Being the best HS athlete sometimes cost a kid at the college level. Glad he matured enough to recognize the need to improve and not go into some ego funk about not starting. That is how a kid gets better.

He has the talent, he just needs to improve and define that talent. He will be really good.
And I am excited to see how he does this season.

Sounds like Minor has done some growing up in the past year, and that's a good sign. We are at least 3 deep across the line. I'm not sure about the defensive backs, but the line will not be an issue. The linebacking group will also be better. The guys seem to have this "us against the world" mentality. That's good, I guess, but I hope they know that we are actually pulling for them. We do want them to do well.

Could be even deeper than that. Coaches are excited about defensive line depth, including (in NO particular order):

DEs:
Barnes
Wood
Minor
Nabushosi
Smith
Pruitt
Lawler
Gentry
McCleneghen

NTs
Wright
Reed
Hollie
Riley-Ayers
Saena
McCleneghen

Isn't Rashad back on the DL now and in the mix again at NT? Also, if Beau proves himself at OLB he may not be a DE next year. Beau and SS as two big outside bookends could be interesting. I think Beau is about 250 right know. Seals needs to prove himself ready this year and step up.

Yes, Wimbley is back on the defensive line (he talks about it here), although he is working his way from November shoulder surgery.

Is Zelt the reason Beau Barnes is getting a look at linebacker?