Lots of youth on this squad

[Louie and Bouie]

Looking at the two-deep for the BC game I noticed that there are only 9 seniors on the two-deep and only 3 of those 9 are starters at this point with all of them being on offense. This bodes well for next year and provides more hope for all of this gelling better in year 2.

 

[Trueblue25]

There's going to be A LOT of competitions in training camp next spring.

 

[RF2044]

...and just think how much further along we'll be now that the systems have been fully implemented on both sides of the ball, instead of the hybrid approach some were calling for when we struggled early on defense.

Lots of kids getting their feet wet now and learning will = lots of quality competition this offseason.

 

[TheCusian]

...and just think how much further along we'll be now that the systems have been fully implemented on both sides of the ball, instead of the hybrid approach some were calling for when we struggled early on defense.

Lots of kids getting their feet wet now and learning will = lots of quality competition this offseason.

Yep. 100%.

You can look to the relationship between Wildhack and Babers - allowing the freedom to rip off the bandaid and build it right, results be damned. Smart, smart, smart move(s).

 

[OmahaCuse]

Losing Brisly and Etta will be big on specials and WR...Hopefully we can get a transfer also would like amTE that can make plays.

 

[tep624]

I just posted this on the recruiting board but it has relevance here:

44 players currently on our 2 deep. Only EIGHT on the 2 deep - and of those eight, only TWO starters from the 2013 class. Hodge, Burton, Winfield, Scissum, Estime, Moore, Lasker, McGloster.

For contrast, there are currently 6 members of the 2016 class on the 2 deep, and two starters. Neal, Butler, Black, Williams, Coleman, Jones. If you add in the Grad Transfers, Etta Tawo and Wilson, then there are 8 players brought in in 2016 on the 2 deep. As many in total as the 2013 class, and one more starter than the 2013 class.

That's just nuts.

It can't be stressed enough the negative impact that recruiting year had on the program. That is why having DB come in with a staff intact, with recruits already identified, and filling out a quality 2016 class was so, so important. We will be so much better set up in a few years because of that.

 

[sufandu]

...and just think how much further along we'll be now that the systems have been fully implemented on both sides of the ball, instead of the hybrid approach some were calling for when we struggled early on defense.

Lots of kids getting their feet wet now and learning will = lots of quality competition this offseason.

I don't know enough about x's and o's to say this definitively but it seems like the defense has evolved a little toward the hybrid approach. We seem to be blitzing more and the lb's are dropping into coverage less often. Like I said in another thread I think Ward is adapting to his personnel as he gets more familiar with them and the players are becoming more familiar with the system at the same time.