The story on Alex Odiari makes me excited about

[Highflyingstangs]

our defensive improvement this fall. Not a free read.
http://smu.scout.com/2/763763.html

[davidsmu94]

Imagine him and Smart at LB... that is some real beef added to the front seven compared to what we've had in the past... I'm ready to see someone's lights go out this fall!

[SMU 86]

At 6-1 250 and a 4.5 40 he would make a heck of a middle linebacker (like he was at OSU).

[westexSMU]

[quote="SMU 86"]At 6-1 250 and a 4.5 40 he would make a heck of a middle linebacker (like he was at OSU).[/quote]............But, when he was at OSU and playing LB as a FR/SOPH, he only weighed about 205. Yet after gaining 45 lbs., he has not lost any speed ! He should be impressive this fall to say the least.

[Scoops]

At 6-1 250 and a 4.5 40 he would make a heck of a middle linebacker (like he was at OSU).

True, but I get the impression he's supposed to play on the strong side, with Justin Smart in the middle.

[SApony]

I hope he stays at LB. Seems like any guy like him in the past ended up as an undersized DE.

[SMU 86]

He's going to stay at LB. The question is weather it's inside or outside LB.

[Stallion]

I'll bet by this time next year he will be the starting MLB. May start at SLB this year but he belongs inside at least in this conference.

[SMU 86]

I'll bet by this time next year he will be the starting MLB. May start at SLB this year but he belongs inside at least in this conference.

I am with you 100%. Smart is 6-4 which is kind of tall for a MLB, but just right for a OLB. Smart moves to the outside and destroys people and Odiari goes inside and crushes opponents.

[RedRiverPony]

I'll bet by this time next year he will be the starting MLB. May start at SLB this year but he belongs inside at least in this conference.

Based on what - the fact that he's big?
Smart is big, too, and maybe (none of us knows, I realize) Odiari runs better, or projects as a better blitzer off the edge.

What makes you say he "belongs" inside, other than his weight and the fact that he played at OSU?

thanks

[Stallion]

BTW westex-how do you know he hasn't lost any speed gaining 45 pounds. That picture in PonyStampede has me a tad concerned because he's a big boy now

[OC Mustang]

I have confidence that you all will be pleased with Smart play. I suspect Odiari will do just fine too, in either MLB or OLB spot.

Either way, I have physically seen both of this young men, and if size and build are in any way indicative of potential, we should see some good defense at linebacker this year and next year.

[SMU Hockey 2010]

I haven't seen odiari in person, but I've seen smart several times this summer. It isn't just his size that's impressive - he looks fast. He looks like there's no wasted mass on his body. I'm confident he can still hit that 4.6 with no problems at all, even though he could now kill three of me with his bare hands.

[LAPonyAir]

I met a football player from Ok. State a while ago. He said that Odiari was talented but he could never learn the plays and had to ask other teammates for his role all the time. I wonder if this is still true, or if Ok. State just had some complicated defensive schemes (June Jones' defensive philosophy seems pretty straightforward from what I've heard from the players).

Smart is going to be a beast on the field though, no doubt.

[GeorgiaMustang]

I met a football player from Ok. State a while ago. He said that Odiari was talented but he could never learn the plays and had to ask other teammates for his role all the time. I wonder if this is still true, or if Ok. State just had some complicated defensive schemes (June Jones' defensive philosophy seems pretty straightforward from what I've heard from the players).

Smart is going to be a beast on the field though, no doubt.

It may have been as simple as he wasn't motivated to know his stuff at Ok State. I'm sure that he'll take a more serious approach after having been dismissed from osu and seeing what has happened to Willis and a few others at SMU.