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Perhaps no position group will look as different in 2013 for the SMU Mustangs as the defensive line, which loses Torlan Pittman, Spike Davis, Kevin Grenier and Margus Hunt to graduation. But their departure does not mean the end of the productive defensive front. Nose tackle Darrian Wright, defensive end Zach Wood and defensive coordinator Tom Mason all visited with PonyFans.com to discuss the defensive line's prospects for the 2013 season.

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I think Zelt Minor is going to have a chance to make a big impact from the very beginning. Any idea how big he is now? Rivals had him listed at 6'3" 260, hopefully he can add another 10-15 pounds before the season begins.

I'm so excited about next year. I wish it was starting tomorrow!

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Darrian Wright seems like a great kid. Really pulling for him to be wildly successful.

Why we moved a kid to OL where we are stacked from DE where we are thin is beyond me. I just don't get it, but I'm not a coach.

I think the team weight on the from line will be less. We just have to see how that effects the play.

I'm eager to see Mason Gentry and Spencer Hollie. With their size, I wonder if they can play right away. It sounds like we're deeper than I realized, though, so maybe they'll get the benefit of a redshirt.

giacfsp wrote:I'm eager to see Mason Gentry and Spencer Hollie. With their size, I wonder if they can play right away. It sounds like we're deeper than I realized, though, so maybe they'll get the benefit of a redshirt.

Hopefully they can redshirt. Gentry is still pretty raw, I think he's only been playing football for a few seasons, and it'd be nice if Hollie could redshirt and get stronger to bulk up to ideal size for a 3-4 NT.

I really like that we have depth and can increase the Dline rotation. Having fresh linemen late in a game is a huge plus. Often our D wore out late in a game (Tulsa is a classic example). With fresh legs, that puts pressure on the Oline latte in the game and increases our late in the game Defensive effectiveness. It took some time but it appears we have built depth into the Mustang bench. Thank goodness.

East Coast Mustang wrote:

giacfsp wrote:I'm eager to see Mason Gentry and Spencer Hollie. With their size, I wonder if they can play right away. It sounds like we're deeper than I realized, though, so maybe they'll get the benefit of a redshirt.

Hopefully they can redshirt. Gentry is still pretty raw, I think he's only been playing football for a few seasons, and it'd be nice if Hollie could redshirt and get stronger to bulk up to ideal size for a 3-4 NT.

Hollie will start out at DE being 6'5 (that is a bit tall for a 3-4 NT). I think he was around 290 when he came to visit SMU and coaches told him to get down to 275 by the time he enrolls at SMU.

It wouldn't be a surprise to find out when he gets here that his listed height during his recruitment is an inch (or more?) tall. So let's say he's 6'4".

Here are some NFL nose tackles who are 6'4" or taller: Jay Ratliff (Cowboys), Steve McClendon (Steelers), Barry Cofield (Redskins), Cam Thomas (Chargers), Tommy Kelly (Raiders -- 6'6"), and there are a lot who are 6'3". Even if Hollie is 6'5", you don't move a guy because he's one inch too tall.

Besides, didn't Mason say he'll start out in the middle?

PonyPower wrote:Besides, didn't Mason say he'll start out in the middle?

Yes.

If he has the motor to play NT fine. I guess we will have to wait and see when he get's here. Actually, I thought they wanted to move him to OL but decided to start him out on the DL to see how he does. Anyway, here is direct quote from the young man.

"I want to come in and start as a freshman or get some immediate playing time," he said. "Coach Hill wants me to play defensive end, and that’s where I’d prefer to play. My high school team runs a 3-4 like SMU so I would be comfortable."

Yeah, but as long as he doesn't move to offense, it's Mason's call, not Hollie's, where he plays.

SMUguy wrote:Yeah, but as long as he doesn't move to offense, it's Mason's call, not Hollie's, where he plays.

You mean Coach Mason's call not Coach Hill's. Coach Hill is the one that said he wants him to play DE. Please reread the quote SMUguy. Also, can anyone reference any interview where MAson said that Hollie would play NT?