Ward's defense obviously valued pass rushing from their ends and they valued that attribute when recruiting, taking long and lanky DE's they could grow into ACC caliber DE's. Valued length and pass rush over size outside.
White's defense obviously values more gap protection from the front 3 and anything pass rush is an added benefit (except when stunting), relying on the (at least the way it was called this year) one of the LB for the pass rush. You see the adjustment with the 3 DL coming in this year, with much better size than typically seen in the recent past.
Does White have any history of utilizing these long and lean pass rushers or does the 3-3-5 call on these guy for that type of role (my only history with this defense is watching it play this year)? Mainly thinking of the below guys (with the starting 3 backers next year likely being Jones-Wax-Thompson with Kpogba, Cantin-Arku and a mix of Richards-Linton as the rotation):
LB Linton (6-5, 224) - Obviously popped against UNC with his pass rush, was fairly neutralized the rest of the year, which isn't out of the ordinary for a young pass (mainly speed) rusher. Seems the most ready of all of them with the pass rush ability and has a very intriguing ceiling. Will he be a passing downs LB sub for Thompson?
DL Tuazama (6-5, 244) - Seems to be a disruptor inside, both good and bad, and plays with a strong motor. Can his style of DL be good for this defense or will he need to move outside/be a stand-up backer?
DL Kinsler (6-3, 213) - Beat out Louisville for him, intriguing pass rusher from his recruiting film, where he was already a stand-up pass rusher. Figure he will move from DL to LB?
LB Lowery (6-4, 225) - Got some time for Linton when Thompson was out and looking for a spark from the pass rush. Already a LB.
LB Goulbourne (6-3, 207) - rFr still trying to put on some weight, already a LB, but how many rush LB's can a team carry?
Guess wondering if, for everyone besides Tuazama, they are competing for the SAM (Thompson's) spot as the primary blitzer?
White's defense obviously values more gap protection from the front 3 and anything pass rush is an added benefit (except when stunting), relying on the (at least the way it was called this year) one of the LB for the pass rush. You see the adjustment with the 3 DL coming in this year, with much better size than typically seen in the recent past.
Does White have any history of utilizing these long and lean pass rushers or does the 3-3-5 call on these guy for that type of role (my only history with this defense is watching it play this year)? Mainly thinking of the below guys (with the starting 3 backers next year likely being Jones-Wax-Thompson with Kpogba, Cantin-Arku and a mix of Richards-Linton as the rotation):
LB Linton (6-5, 224) - Obviously popped against UNC with his pass rush, was fairly neutralized the rest of the year, which isn't out of the ordinary for a young pass (mainly speed) rusher. Seems the most ready of all of them with the pass rush ability and has a very intriguing ceiling. Will he be a passing downs LB sub for Thompson?
DL Tuazama (6-5, 244) - Seems to be a disruptor inside, both good and bad, and plays with a strong motor. Can his style of DL be good for this defense or will he need to move outside/be a stand-up backer?
DL Kinsler (6-3, 213) - Beat out Louisville for him, intriguing pass rusher from his recruiting film, where he was already a stand-up pass rusher. Figure he will move from DL to LB?
LB Lowery (6-4, 225) - Got some time for Linton when Thompson was out and looking for a spark from the pass rush. Already a LB.
LB Goulbourne (6-3, 207) - rFr still trying to put on some weight, already a LB, but how many rush LB's can a team carry?
Guess wondering if, for everyone besides Tuazama, they are competing for the SAM (Thompson's) spot as the primary blitzer?
