2016 DL Analysis - The Ugly

[Digetydog]

Following up on the OL Analysis, I took a look at our recruited players on the DL. I excluded transfers in like D. Green. In addition, I did not try to predict "Letters" from 2015; however, it is pretty easy to figure out.

Analysis: The recruits averaged a whopping 237lbs per Rivals. They now average 265lbs. Hollie is the only player over 300lbs and he needs to lose weight.

1) Seniors (2012) – Nick Reed did well, but graduated. Pruitt and Nabushosi are backup types who lack the size to start.
2) Juniors (2013) – Gentry and Lawler will be key contributors for the next two years. In a combined 13 games, Minor and Hollie combined for 12 tackles.
3) Soph (2014) – Each of us tied the 2014 recruiting class for total tackles – ZIP NADA ZILCH
4) Fresh (2015) – All four redshirted last year and all of them are undersized. Thankfully, all of them should be able to carry more weight without getting tubby.
5) All of our 2016 recruits are going to have a chance to compete for PT in the Fall. Many of them are already bigger than the 2015 recruits and we essentially don’t have a 2014 recruiting class.

Oddball Notes:
1) If they return, Minor, Pruitt and Nabushosi will have the most letters on the DL.
2) From 2012-14, June managed to find two DL who will be major contributors.
3) Only signing one 1 DL in 2014 was #speechless.
4) I wonder if any of the extra OL June signed can be converted to DT?

2012 Brian Cramer 6'5" 230 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Nick Reed 6'1" 265 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Jarvis Pruitt 6'3" 220 255 35 2 11 0
Elie Nabushosi 6'4" 240 253 13 2 10 0

2013 Mason Gentry 6'7" 255 296 41 1 12 12
Spencer Hollie 6'5" 275 337 62 1 4 0
Justin Lawler 6'5" 230 251 21 1 12 12
Zelt Minor 6'3" 260 283 23 2 9 0

2014 Michael Epley 6'3" 240 252 12 1 4 0
0
2015 Chris Biggurs 6'3" 245 268 23 0 0 0
Delontae Scott 6'5" 200 233 33 0 0 0
Michael Scott 6'4" 220 246 26 0 0 0
Hunter Thedford 6'7" 225 236 11 0 0 0

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

3) Soph (2014) – Each of us tied the 2014 recruiting class for total tackles – ZIP NADA ZILCH

Good God in Heaven.

If I'm understanding you correctly. . . and I think I am. . . we should expect our D to be a dumpster fire in 2016. But looking forward to 2017 and beyond, there is hope.

[West Coast Johnny]

This series you are putting together is giving me a new appreciation at how bad June was at recruiting.

[RebStang]

This series you are putting together is giving me a new appreciation at how bad June was at recruiting.

I still don't understand why we didn't at least try to fire his [deleted] for cause. Depending on how the contract was written, I think we have more than enough evidence to prove that he wasn't even making an effort to do his job in recruiting - going on vacation 2 weeks before signing day, the number of local high school coaches that had never even spoken to him or anyone on his staff, etc.

Usually you're not going to win that fight because usually the coaches are trying but just aren't very good. Jones wasn't even trying.

[Stangs1970]

Because he took us to 4 bowls and restored credibility, not to mention recruited Larry Brown here............You really should let it go!

[Digetydog]

Because he took us to 4 bowls and restored credibility, not to mention recruited Larry Brown here............You really should let it go!

While he did some good things, he was a very poor recruiter. While people might disagree about the whys and/or blame, the simple fact is that he left us with a roster that is a mess. Even if we had more talented players, he left behind a roster that didn't have the right mix of players in each recruiting class.

Simply put, recruiting only 1 DL for a recruiting class is indisputably a bad idea. When DL makes up a huge percentage of your defense (27% in a 3-4 and 36% in a 4-2), allocating 4% of your recruiting class to DL is dumb.

Even the best recruiting classes will include a lot of misses: players will drop out, transfer out, get injured, fail out, etc. For that reason, smart coaches allocate scholarships to different positions. If you look at successful programs, they allocate approximately 10-12 scholarships to OL and DL every year. Our final numbers for 2016 will probably be in that range. If it isn't, it is because Morris desperately needs to find good DB's and LB's for our defense.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

Regardless, we can all take comfort from the fact that the current staff is working extremely hard to undo the damage they inherited.

[Digetydog]

Today, Juco DL JT Williams committed to SMU as part of the 2016 class. Together with last year's transfer D Green, Morris has added two nice DL transfer to our rotation since he arrived.

[SMU 86]

SMU just got some added help on the DL.

Patrick Engel ‏@PatrickEngel_ 16m16 minutes ago

Family atmosphere and a familiar face play important roles in J.T. Williams' decision to commit to #SMU (free) http://www.scout.com/college/southern-m ... ommits-smu …


Adam Grosbard ‏@AdamGrosbard 30m30 minutes ago

SMU DT Deon Green played a big role in convincing J.T. Williams (@quezwinfrey) to #PonyUp (FREE):
http://rvls.co/1P1xMOw

[leopold]

I was about to say, nobody said anything about Green. What's the word on him?

[footballdad]

I was about to say, nobody said anything about Green. What's the word on him?

Same rotational player in a terrible defense, made little impact for all the accolades.

[Rebel10]

Green has a quick first step. I wouldn't be surprised to see him play some DE next year.

[JasonB]

Gentry and Lawler will be very good before they leave. Nabusoshi and Pruitt were recruited more at OLB in the 3-4 and haven't shown much. Hollie/Minor/Green didn't make an impact last year. There is some talent with all three, but someone needs to step forward or we are in trouble. One Scott should start at DE and the other should be in the rotation. Need one of those guys to make a big impact. My guess would be Lawler will move to the strong side and those guys will play on the weak.

[Rebel10]

Demerick Gary looked very good in the all star game. He will challenge at DE imo. He also has a very quick first step and has the athleticism imo.

[Rebel10]

Also really glad to have this JC recruit that played HS ball at Denton Guyer. Williams and the other freshmen will bring some much need athleticism to the DL for years to come.