2004 recruiting priorities

[Stallion]

I agree 100% about our DLM since the DP but what's wrong with All-American Harvey Armstrong, All-SWC and All-Pro Michael Carter, All-SWC and All-Pro Jerry Ball, and players good enough to at least earn a shot at the pros like Mitch Willis and Doug Hollie. Kevin Chaney, Terrance Mann, Tom Linebarger, and Richard Neely were more than solid too. Not to mention some great Rush stoping big men at DE like Eric Ferguson, Byron Hunt-These guys all starred within about a 4-5 year period. We were pretty stout back then on the defensive line and I would love to have any one of those guys today. Heck give me the "soul" of the re-birth of the SMU defensive line in the late 1970s "Tweetie" Hunt too.

[Mickey]

I am with you Stallion. We had some great DLinemen back then. Some called SMU Nose Guard U. Armstrong, Carter, Ball. Don't forget Joe Phillips who also played a long time in the pros.

[This message has been edited by Mickey (edited 02-28-2003).]

[PX]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Pony Fan:
<B>In my opinion, we have NEVER had enough defensive linemen who were big and could run and that includes the early 80's. We had some great ones back then but not near enough depth. I would take all of the defensive linemen we could every year, as you can usually move them to offense if they don't pan out on defense.</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Most teams keep 6-7 defensive lineman on a 65 man traveling team. In 1983 our 7 were Michael Carter, Mitch Willis, and Doug Hollie (starters) backed up by Terrance Mann, John Eixman, Tom Linebarger and Jerry Ball. Of that group, only Eixman didnt go on to play in the NFL. One of the backups, Ball, was All-Pro 7 times. The year afterward Carter graduated, but Joe Phillips came in, so we didnt drop off that much.
I dont know how many you think we need, but there arent many teams with more depth than that.

[PerunaPunch]

PX,

What's your opinion on the idea being floated around that we should recruit DLs (preferentially) because they can easily convert to OL? I think this is certainly possibile is some cases, but I think in general, the physical specifications for prototype OLs differ from that of DLs. I think what happens when you've got a guy that can crossover from one line to the other is simply that you have a big guy with a lot of athletisism, which makes him successful on either side of the ball.

I know HPfan knows what he's talking about, but I've heard mention on more than one occasion that Coach Bennett thinks D. Johnson is going to play DT here, and if he lives up to his potential, in the NFL.

That being said, Johnson's physical stature and potential alone certainly aren't enough to ensure a starting spot or even success on the defensive front. But I do imagine that we'll finally (at least) get to see him on the field. My assumption is that we'll see him on the 2-deep and maybe in a DT rotation next fall.

smumustangs.com has a new section on their site for Spring Ball, which includes a depth chart. Will be interesting to watch and see where everyone lands.