DL Steve Linton transferring from Texas Tech to Baylor

[Adamshatch]

Not sure if accurate but this is what someone told me on twitter; not verified so take with a grain of salt.

I listened to the Locked on Pod when they had him on, and I thought it was strange the way he was in essence blaming our S&C program for Steve not being able to gain weight. He was talking about how other programs have "special" meals for the football players more often than at 'Cuse. You really got a strange feeling at that point about his opinion of the program.

If he is still in Steve's ear as it seems he is, it is not a surprise he is transferring. Too bad, as others have said ... this one hurts!

 

[sutomcat]

I think this was a case of Steve wanting a lot more playing time and seeing the writing on the wall.

He has a bunch of younger players at his position passing him on the depth chart and as time goes on, it is just going to get worse.

He was a fine player and if he could have found a way to get bigger, he could have been really special. I wish him the best wherever he ends up. Appreciate his contributions to the team while he was here.

 

[GoSU96]

Ouch. Our biggest portal loss this season so far. Probably the Top DE playmaker on an already weak DL this past season.

Not sure I understand this one.

He wasn’t. I’ve been second only to money in wanting the kid to do well, he makes plays, but there seems to be some agenda posting in making this a bigger deal than it is.

 

[DilemaCuse]

This probably isn't the place. But since he's leaving... He doesn't get any blame for the Clemson loss, but if he didn't give up on the play that Fuentes- Cundiff hits the QB out of bounds, we probably win that game.

I don't think it was ever brought up, but when I saw it live I couldn't believe it. He needed to give 2 more seconds of effort...

I saw that and wondered if he let up because he thought Klubnick was going out of bounds. I thought it was almost smart but then EFC didnt see that and still grazed him.

 

[DilemaCuse]

Its too bad, first bowl birth in his time here and he wont be around for it

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

Has Dino said anything about the guys in the portal playing in the bowl?

 

[David321]

Has Dino said anything about the guys in the portal playing in the bowl?

I can’t picture him saying no, so it’s probably player discretion. I haven’t heard any of the press ask him though, that’s a good question.

 

[Oakland]

I think this was a case of Steve wanting a lot more playing time and seeing the writing on the wall.

He has a bunch of younger players at his position passing him on the depth chart and as time goes on, it is just going to get worse.

He was a fine player and if he could have found a way to get bigger, he could have been really special. I wish him the best wherever he ends up. Appreciate his contributions to the team while he was here.

Why can't he switch to LB, we are losing starters at those positions?

 

[PhatOrange]

Linton was a great piece on our defense. He played the whole season and finished 3rd for production from the DEs. 22T, 6TFL, 3.5S. In order, Okchuckwu (47, 10, 7), Geer (31, 5.5, 3.5), Linton.

He was however not in the two deep until the 3rd game of the season. Week 1 and 2 depth charts had Okchuckwu, Geer-RFr, Simmons-RFr and Jaquez-TFr. Simmons/Jaquez didn’t make it out of Sept. Patchwork until Jobity-TFr started filling in at the end of the season and looking pretty promising. LB McDonald played a lot of DEnd in certain sets and then we have a highly recruited freshman Nolton waiting in the wings. These young DEnds are all at 250 right now.

He’s a good player whos he’s going to be a junior and this looks like a move looking for full time PT.

 

[sutomcat]

Why can't he switch to LB, we are losing starters at those positions?

I don't think he has that skill set. Maybe he will get moved there at his new school. Not many college programs use 217 pound DEs.

 

[Trueblue25]

To play LB you need to be able to drop into coverage.

 

[SuFTW]

The staff taking out annoyance at a player's HS coach from months before on a player is a little far-fetched.

The second part of the tweet is pure conjecture and it is not clear who they are talking about “bringing it up” at the exit interview, to me it sounded like Linton bringing it up.

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

Has Dino said anything about the guys in the portal playing in the bowl?

Just assume they've left the team.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Damn. This is the first one I’m truly bummed about.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Not sure if accurate but this is what someone told me on twitter; not verified so take with a grain of salt.

I gave that podcast a try for a few weeks and I just had to stop. Those guys are unbearably negative.

 

[David321]

I gave that podcast a try for a few weeks and I just had to stop. Those guys are unbearably negative.

Yeah same, and they’re MBB first FB second.

 

[upperdeck]

It was Darton getting blown 10 yards off the ball in the middle of the line that was costing us. Not Linton. I don’t get how it’s ok to play 1 severely undersized guy over another undersized guy that actually makes plays.

i saw far more plays that Darton won then he lost.. the DEs not being able to control the ends was the bigger issue on most plays

 

[sufandu]

S&C needs some improvement but its way too casual to point out 1 single player out of 100 and use him to represent the work of an entire program. The staff turned a mediocre FCS D lineman into a 1st team all acc player. The DL unit was already the weakest going into the season. Losing their best interior DT along with 2 others for the season had a lot to do with downside as well. Linton was pretty physical at 217. Can you imagine how good he could be if he got to 240? That's on him. He told me straight up that he couldn't keep the weight on.

It's interesting he told you that. I wonder what his hopes are for being a pro. It seems he needs to find a way to keep the weight or figure out a different position if those dreams are gonna develop into more.

 

[David321]

I know the secret to keeping weight on - Chinese food before bedtime. Get me in touch with him, maybe I can right this.

 

[SanDiegoCuse]

I gave that podcast a try for a few weeks and I just had to stop. Those guys are unbearably negative.

Same here.

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

I know a guy who, while playing D2 soccer, was on a 5,000 calorie a day diet and lost weight. Some people just have crazy thyroids.

 

[David321]

I know a guy who, while playing D2 soccer, was on a 5,000 calorie a day diet and lost weight. Some people just have crazy thyroids.

If I did that I would look like my face got stung by 5000 bees. And I’m allergic to bees.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Yeah same, and they’re MBB first FB second.

I’m sure I could figure out their hoops takes without even having to listen.

 

[anomander]

Are you saying Darton took snaps away from Linton?

No I’m saying why was it ok for Darton to play DT severely undersized, but Linton struggled to get PT, even on passing downs, because he was undersized. Steve and Geer were the only ones to consistently get some what of a pass rush .

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

No I’m saying why was it ok for Darton to play DT severely undersized, but Linton struggled to get PT, even on passing downs, because he was undersized. Steve and Geer were the only ones to consistently get some what of a pass rush .

Darton and Linton play different positions and Darton’s position has less depth this year.