Interior D-line ...What am I missing?

[RoofBeam]

OK...So there is one SR with a significant injury history (Raymon), two unproven but promising RF's (Slayton and Samuels) and three true freshman (Clark, Giudice and Cross) who may or may not be ready for D1 competition but each of whom would almost certainly benefit by a redshirt year. This seems like desperate times to me, even if everyone stays healthy which history and the nature of football suggests is unlikely. Is there someone on the O-line scheduled to move over? Why hasn't this been more of a recruiting focus this year?

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

It was a recruiting focus this year. There are 6 true freshmen on the Dline. But with a team with so many needs, it's hard to fill voids by focusing so many spots in one position.

And on the interior, Sloan left, Williams left, Zeke and Coleman were disqualified, Harvey transferred, Crume graduated. There's only so much you can do in terms of recruiting when all of your depth collapses,

 

[ImperialOrange]

Losing Zeke and Marcus really hurt. Both were showing signs of great things a couple years in after gaining some size and the requisite strength. However the the true frosh will have that from day 1 and the RF as well. We'll see how it plays out certainly but 6'3 and 280-300 is a much better starting point than 6'1 260 or or 6'4 265 as the aforementioned 2 were when they hit campus or the 350 that Williams and Sloan showed up at.

 

[TheCusian]

OK...So there is one SR with a significant injury history (Raymon), two unproven but promising RF's (Slayton and Samuels) and three true freshman (Clark, Giudice and Cross) who may or may not be ready for D1 competition but each of whom would almost certainly benefit by a redshirt year. This seems like desperate times to me, even if everyone stays healthy which history and the nature of football suggests is unlikely. Is there someone on the O-line scheduled to move over? Why hasn't this been more of a recruiting focus this year?

It's a depth concern for sure. But it's not a talent thing according to coach. In other words - usually you have a few projects (guys you wouldn't put s high % on playing for a few years). By all accounts they are very happy with all those guys.

 

[CuseOnly]

Just as a note, not sure if you guys check out the recruiting board but Steven Clark is up to about 315 according to the thread and doing over 25 reps with 225. He will be ready to contribute.

 

[kcsu]

We are thin and young. I expect to see a couple of guys play all over the line to add depth. If one of the frosh can step up on the outside or if Arch or Simmons turn it on that we will really help

 

[RF2044]

OK...So there is one SR with a significant injury history (Raymon), two unproven but promising RF's (Slayton and Samuels) and three true freshman (Clark, Giudice and Cross) who may or may not be ready for D1 competition but each of whom would almost certainly benefit by a redshirt year. This seems like desperate times to me, even if everyone stays healthy which history and the nature of football suggests is unlikely. Is there someone on the O-line scheduled to move over? Why hasn't this been more of a recruiting focus this year?

Raymon has to prove that he can bounce back and be healthy. The two RFs had great springs, and Clark is a monster as a true frosh. We also need to avoid injuries.

Lots of question marks, to be sure, but those four comprise a solid nucleus that should be sufficient. Plus, on passing downs we probably won't play with two DTs anyway. I have a feeling that the interior of the D-Line is going to be viewed as a strength rather than a weakness this year once these guys show what they can do.

 

[Orange4]

Yeah I think by the end of the year it will be a strength as well but just think how good that line will be when they are juniors and seniors. They will be that much bigger and stronger but they will also have some of the most experience on the team. This defense in a year or two has a chance to be one of the top defenses in the country.

 

[shu 49]

I have no issues with the depth that we will have as the freshmen show up. Coach has said he has some really good players some have a higher ceiling than others but I did hear Slayton and Raymond are up there ceiling wise and the kid Samuels is one tough sob. Coach will get these guys ready. We will be tough upfront and no he is not letting Thompson move from end. Some coaches think he is the best athlete all around on the team and that is saying something. Coach is not only a great teacher, someguys need the love and others need a kick in the ass and he knows who needs what. I hope we keep him. Great asset to our team.

 

[TheCusian]

Raymon has to prove that he can bounce back and be healthy. The two RFs had great springs, and Clark is a monster as a true frosh. We also need to avoid injuries. Lots of question marks, to be sure, but those four comprise a solid nucleus that should be sufficient. Plus, on passing downs we probably won't play with two DTs anyway. I have a feeling that the interior of the D-Line is going to be viewed as a strength rather than a weakness this year once these guys show what they can do.

Seems like every year Daoust has been here - ESPN writes that we are thin on our line. And then by the end of the season everyone agrees that it's a strength.

 

[Trueblue25]

Honestly believe Slayton's the next big thing.

 

[Libero2]

Honestly believe Slayton's the next big thing.

I wish he could stay at DE, but given his strength I think he will be fine inside.

I just think he has NFL potential at end.

 

[billsin01]

Raymon has to prove that he can bounce back and be healthy. The two RFs had great springs, and Clark is a monster as a true frosh. We also need to avoid injuries.

Lots of question marks, to be sure, but those four comprise a solid nucleus that should be sufficient. Plus, on passing downs we probably won't play with two DTs anyway. I have a feeling that the interior of the D-Line is going to be viewed as a strength rather than a weakness this year once these guys show what they can do.

I don't think it's intentional but I wouldn't be shocked if teams carried slightly fewer interior DL with so many teams in spread systems. Just a thought, though I agree it's clearly a concern to be quite as thin as we are.

 

[ImperialOrange]

I wish he could stay at DE, but given his strength I think he will be fine inside.

I just think he has NFL potential at end.

He may have out grown end. I think he's up to 280. We could also go big across the front 4 with Slayton and Thompson at end and Raymon and Samuels inside. Thats an nfl size line or maybe bigger

 

[Rocco]

I'm not worried about the D-line. Of course, then again it's probably just a mixture of promise, bias and a need for my football fix.

Can't wait to watch this defense play this year. Lots of speed and strength across the board.

 

[money3189]

Yeah slayton was 265 coming out of HS. I think the coaches immediately saw a kid that could play inside and be athletic like a Jay Bromley. Ive said it before. I am not worried about the D line. I believe in Daoust and the scheme. Remember the big talk last year was how are we were going to generate a pass rush? Welch and Robinson were not rush ends, Thompson played inside, but our scheme and preparation made them a effective front 7. Arciniega might not be a every down DE but he will give us a pass rush on passing downs along with Thompson. Simmons was a speed guy coming out of high school and Pickard can help on running downs.