Unit depth charts - Spring 25 Version

[Goin' Deep]

Duce is a lock...?
He's got the physical talent.
But has been out of position and missing tackles often.
There is considerable room for improvement- I WANT TO SEE IT!!

 

[GoSU96]

Duce is a lock...?
He's got the physical talent.
But has been out of position and missing tackles often.
There is considerable room for improvement- I WANT TO SEE IT!!

If anyone on the roster is a lock to start it’s him.

100%

 

[shu 49]

Not sure that Nixon and Willis will split carries. It would seem Willis needs to improve blocking and prove he can be a part of a passing game, and if he does, he runs with the spot. Nixon might be tough to count on after the injury. But he also played quite a bit more than expected before he got hurt. He was more interesting than expected, I just hope he's back to being that guy.

See i see Willis starting and getting more but close to even if nixons ft holdsup.

 

[SUDadx2]

Agree on Duce (locked in at safety). I would think, after Barron's (successful) conversion, Grant might get a look at OLB or star. He's not as thick as Barron (at 200), but he's decent in coverage and bring the wood in run fits. Buxton, Martin have looked good at safety, and there's talent at free and strong in the pipeline (M. Washington and McDaniels).

Last season Grant began the season at CB. After WAX was injured Barron moved from STAR to LB, and Grant moved to STAR where he played for the majority of the season. Grant missed the bowl game due to injury. Martin started in his place at STAR during the bowl game.

I'm hearing, although Grant is wearing a green "no contact" jersey so far this spring he has been working at strong safety, and Martin is splitting time at STAR with Ibn McDaniels.

Buxton also missed the bowl game due to injury and is also wearing a green jersey this spring. Buxton had more than 350 snaps at safety last season.

When Grant and Buxton return from their injuries, I expect they both will be competing for starting spots.

With Grant and Buxton our for the bowl game last year former walk-on QB Patrick Grusser was moved to safety for depth. Grusser is still working at safety this spring.

So far this spring (only three practices) I'm hearing the depth looks like this with Grant and Buxton out.

• STAR; Martin and McDaniels
• Free safety; Chestnut and Washington
• Strong safety; Long and Perry

As I understand it, the free and strong are almost interchangeable. One starts lining up to the field and one to the boundary, and they make adjustments as the offense motions, shifts or changes formation.

Interesting piece that I've not been able to verify yet is I hear the very athletic Caden Brown (6'4", 215 - sophomore), has been working at STAR. Caden's size and athleticism could be very interesting, but he'll need to adjust to playing in space. His father, Alban Brown, played football for Syracuse in the late 80s.

The corners are rotating, and everyone is getting a look at this point. We don't have a lot of experience at CB so young guys will have an early opportunity to see what they can do.

• Greg Delaine, RS Jr; played well in the bowl game last year and played well in 2023 when he had more than 200 snaps at CB.
• Devian Kerr (Kerr 1), So; played more than 200 snaps at CB late last year with mixed reviews. Plenty of upside here.
• Demetres Samuel, true freshman; appears to be doing very well since he arrived on campus in January. Will push for playing time.
• Kaylib Singleton and Devion Kerr (Kerr 2) are both true freshmen who are getting reps.
• We also have 4 more true freshmen scheduled to report in July: Lawrence, Gibbs, Bredell and Andrews.

I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of guys who are currently working at safety (McDaniels, Washington, or Long) end up working at CB during the summer.

I also saw we picked up two more coaches to work with the secondary; Kevin Coyle (former DC at Fresno State) is working with the corners, and Blaine Miller (former defensive analyst at UGA) is working with the safeties and STAR position.



Go Orange

 

[kcsu]

Last season Grant began the season at CB. After WAX was injured Barron moved from STAR to LB, and Grant moved to STAR where he played for the majority of the season. Grant missed the bowl game due to injury. Martin started in his place at STAR during the bowl game.

I'm hearing, although Grant is wearing a green "no contact" jersey so far this spring he has been working at strong safety, and Martin is splitting time at STAR with Ibn McDaniels.

Buxton also missed the bowl game due to injury and is also wearing a green jersey this spring. Buxton had more than 350 snaps at safety last season.

When Grant and Buxton return from their injuries, I expect they both will be competing for starting spots.

With Grant and Buxton our for the bowl game last year former walk-on QB Patrick Grusser was moved to safety for depth. Grusser is still working at safety this spring.

So far this spring (only three practices) I'm hearing the depth looks like this with Grant and Buxton out.

• STAR; Martin and McDaniels
• Free safety; Chestnut and Washington
• Strong safety; Long and Perry

As I understand it, the free and strong are almost interchangeable. One starts lining up to the field and one to the boundary, and they make adjustments as the offense motions, shifts or changes formation.

Interesting piece that I've not been able to verify yet is I hear the very athletic Caden Brown (6'4", 215 - sophomore), has been working at STAR. Caden's size and athleticism could be very interesting, but he'll need to adjust to playing in space. His father, Alban Brown, played football for Syracuse in the late 80s.

The corners are rotating, and everyone is getting a look at this point. We don't have a lot of experience at CB so young guys will have an early opportunity to see what they can do.

• Greg Delaine, RS Jr; played well in the bowl game last year and played well in 2023 when he had more than 200 snaps at CB.
• Devian Kerr (Kerr 1), So; played more than 200 snaps at CB late last year with mixed reviews. Plenty of upside here.
• Demetres Samuel, true freshman; appears to be doing very well since he arrived on campus in January. Will push for playing time.
• Kaylib singleton and Devion Kerr (Kerr 2) are both true freshmen who are getting reps.
• We also have 4 more true freshmen scheduled to report in July: Lawrence, Gibbs, Bredell and Andrews.

I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of guys who are currently working at safety (McDaniels, Washington, or Long) end up working at CB during the summer.

I also saw we picked up two more coaches to work with the secondary; Kevin Coyle (former DC at Fresno State) is working with the corners, and Blaine Miller (former defensive analyst at UGA) is working with the safeties and STAR position.



Go Orange

All of our corners are long and have wheels. Frosh Andrew's is 6'4

 

[Cusester]

Last season Grant began the season at CB. After WAX was injured Barron moved from STAR to LB, and Grant moved to STAR where he played for the majority of the season. Grant missed the bowl game due to injury. Martin started in his place at STAR during the bowl game.

I'm hearing, although Grant is wearing a green "no contact" jersey so far this spring he has been working at strong safety, and Martin is splitting time at STAR with Ibn McDaniels.

Buxton also missed the bowl game due to injury and is also wearing a green jersey this spring. Buxton had more than 350 snaps at safety last season.

When Grant and Buxton return from their injuries, I expect they both will be competing for starting spots.

With Grant and Buxton our for the bowl game last year former walk-on QB Patrick Grusser was moved to safety for depth. Grusser is still working at safety this spring.

So far this spring (only three practices) I'm hearing the depth looks like this with Grant and Buxton out.

• STAR; Martin and McDaniels
• Free safety; Chestnut and Washington
• Strong safety; Long and Perry

As I understand it, the free and strong are almost interchangeable. One starts lining up to the field and one to the boundary, and they make adjustments as the offense motions, shifts or changes formation.

Interesting piece that I've not been able to verify yet is I hear the very athletic Caden Brown (6'4", 215 - sophomore), has been working at STAR. Caden's size and athleticism could be very interesting, but he'll need to adjust to playing in space. His father, Alban Brown, played football for Syracuse in the late 80s.

The corners are rotating, and everyone is getting a look at this point. We don't have a lot of experience at CB so young guys will have an early opportunity to see what they can do.

• Greg Delaine, RS Jr; played well in the bowl game last year and played well in 2023 when he had more than 200 snaps at CB.
• Devian Kerr (Kerr 1), So; played more than 200 snaps at CB late last year with mixed reviews. Plenty of upside here.
• Demetres Samuel, true freshman; appears to be doing very well since he arrived on campus in January. Will push for playing time.
• Kaylib Singleton and Devion Kerr (Kerr 2) are both true freshmen who are getting reps.
• We also have 4 more true freshmen scheduled to report in July: Lawrence, Gibbs, Bredell and Andrews.

I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of guys who are currently working at safety (McDaniels, Washington, or Long) end up working at CB during the summer.

I also saw we picked up two more coaches to work with the secondary; Kevin Coyle (former DC at Fresno State) is working with the corners, and Blaine Miller (former defensive analyst at UGA) is working with the safeties and STAR position.



Go Orange

Kevin Coyle, formerly our defensive coordinator, 1991-1993.

 

[GoSU96]

Last season Grant began the season at CB. After WAX was injured Barron moved from STAR to LB, and Grant moved to STAR where he played for the majority of the season. Grant missed the bowl game due to injury. Martin started in his place at STAR during the bowl game.

I'm hearing, although Grant is wearing a green "no contact" jersey so far this spring he has been working at strong safety, and Martin is splitting time at STAR with Ibn McDaniels.

Buxton also missed the bowl game due to injury and is also wearing a green jersey this spring. Buxton had more than 350 snaps at safety last season.

When Grant and Buxton return from their injuries, I expect they both will be competing for starting spots.

With Grant and Buxton our for the bowl game last year former walk-on QB Patrick Grusser was moved to safety for depth. Grusser is still working at safety this spring.

So far this spring (only three practices) I'm hearing the depth looks like this with Grant and Buxton out.

• STAR; Martin and McDaniels
• Free safety; Chestnut and Washington
• Strong safety; Long and Perry

As I understand it, the free and strong are almost interchangeable. One starts lining up to the field and one to the boundary, and they make adjustments as the offense motions, shifts or changes formation.

Interesting piece that I've not been able to verify yet is I hear the very athletic Caden Brown (6'4", 215 - sophomore), has been working at STAR. Caden's size and athleticism could be very interesting, but he'll need to adjust to playing in space. His father, Alban Brown, played football for Syracuse in the late 80s.

The corners are rotating, and everyone is getting a look at this point. We don't have a lot of experience at CB so young guys will have an early opportunity to see what they can do.

• Greg Delaine, RS Jr; played well in the bowl game last year and played well in 2023 when he had more than 200 snaps at CB.
• Devian Kerr (Kerr 1), So; played more than 200 snaps at CB late last year with mixed reviews. Plenty of upside here.
• Demetres Samuel, true freshman; appears to be doing very well since he arrived on campus in January. Will push for playing time.
• Kaylib Singleton and Devion Kerr (Kerr 2) are both true freshmen who are getting reps.
• We also have 4 more true freshmen scheduled to report in July: Lawrence, Gibbs, Bredell and Andrews.

I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of guys who are currently working at safety (McDaniels, Washington, or Long) end up working at CB during the summer.

I also saw we picked up two more coaches to work with the secondary; Kevin Coyle (former DC at Fresno State) is working with the corners, and Blaine Miller (former defensive analyst at UGA) is working with the safeties and STAR position.



Go Orange

Good stuff.

Find the five best, and let the positions sort themselves out.

 

[GoSU96]

Kevin Coyle, formerly our defensive coordinator, 1991-1993.

I missed that Kevin Coyle? HFS, that’s great. He was at the coaches convention and I suggested Fran should try to bring in some of those dudes to mentor Robinson when I linked a picture.

more than just a stop here and fresno

Kevin Coyle - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Now add Eddie O on the DL and P as an analyst.

 

[richmondcuse03]

Last season Grant began the season at CB. After WAX was injured Barron moved from STAR to LB, and Grant moved to STAR where he played for the majority of the season. Grant missed the bowl game due to injury. Martin started in his place at STAR during the bowl game.

I'm hearing, although Grant is wearing a green "no contact" jersey so far this spring he has been working at strong safety, and Martin is splitting time at STAR with Ibn McDaniels.

Buxton also missed the bowl game due to injury and is also wearing a green jersey this spring. Buxton had more than 350 snaps at safety last season.

When Grant and Buxton return from their injuries, I expect they both will be competing for starting spots.

With Grant and Buxton our for the bowl game last year former walk-on QB Patrick Grusser was moved to safety for depth. Grusser is still working at safety this spring.

So far this spring (only three practices) I'm hearing the depth looks like this with Grant and Buxton out.

• STAR; Martin and McDaniels
• Free safety; Chestnut and Washington
• Strong safety; Long and Perry

As I understand it, the free and strong are almost interchangeable. One starts lining up to the field and one to the boundary, and they make adjustments as the offense motions, shifts or changes formation.

Interesting piece that I've not been able to verify yet is I hear the very athletic Caden Brown (6'4", 215 - sophomore), has been working at STAR. Caden's size and athleticism could be very interesting, but he'll need to adjust to playing in space. His father, Alban Brown, played football for Syracuse in the late 80s.

The corners are rotating, and everyone is getting a look at this point. We don't have a lot of experience at CB so young guys will have an early opportunity to see what they can do.

• Greg Delaine, RS Jr; played well in the bowl game last year and played well in 2023 when he had more than 200 snaps at CB.
• Devian Kerr (Kerr 1), So; played more than 200 snaps at CB late last year with mixed reviews. Plenty of upside here.
• Demetres Samuel, true freshman; appears to be doing very well since he arrived on campus in January. Will push for playing time.
• Kaylib Singleton and Devion Kerr (Kerr 2) are both true freshmen who are getting reps.
• We also have 4 more true freshmen scheduled to report in July: Lawrence, Gibbs, Bredell and Andrews.

I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of guys who are currently working at safety (McDaniels, Washington, or Long) end up working at CB during the summer.

I also saw we picked up two more coaches to work with the secondary; Kevin Coyle (former DC at Fresno State) is working with the corners, and Blaine Miller (former defensive analyst at UGA) is working with the safeties and STAR position.



Go Orange

Good stuff.

If Grant fully recovers, he should be the starting SS.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Qb

All 5 Qbs are on campus

Pre unrestricted Transfer/NIL this position would look to be okay - for the future. Whoever wins the job none have the experience you would want facing the upcoming schedule.

Collins - So; Johnson - Sr; Williams - Rfr; Carney - Fr; Belin - Fr

Rb

Nixon - Sr, Willis - So will be splitting carries. Need to replace 292 touches, 1542 yds, and 20 Td’s.

Hart - So incoming 3rd. James - So, Coleman - Fr bring the speed. How can they be used. Tylis Hill is a fall guy, likely redshirt.

TE

Villari - Sr; Clement - (6-6, 256); Trimble - So; Washington (6-7, 230) Rfr. Each guy has a different profile and skill set. Villari is a HB type, Clement is the more traditional TE, Trimble is the apparent heir to Gadsden role, Washington is a just big, does he contribute this year. Bacheyle and Bowman are fall guys.

Wr Tier 1 Pena - Sr; Gill - Jr; JRS - Sr; Russell - So. If Hatcher is 100% he would be in this group. Tier 2 Hornsby - Rfr; Ross - Rfr; Haile - So; Thomas - Rfr are positioning to be in the rotation. Pena is the closest to a #1, but he benefited from being 1 of 5 equal targets on any play. Meeks is a big loss. Going to need 2 or 3 Tier 2 guys to elevate their play.

Wildcards - do any of the freshman, Johnson - on campus -; Daniels; McFadden; Wilfong; Williams jump over the Tier 2 guys?

Samuel - what does he do, IMO there is a bigger need at corner, where there is a big need.

Yes, losing Meeks hurts this group.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I agree. I just would be very surprised if it's an even split.

Nixon's not big enough to be an every down back IMO.

Edit: Comstock might laugh, but Willis has 2 inches and 20 pounds on him, and Nixon didn't make it past the 4th game last year,

 

[kcsu]

I think James gets carries.

 

[0.2 YNdeeR]

Last season Grant began the season at CB. After WAX was injured Barron moved from STAR to LB, and Grant moved to STAR where he played for the majority of the season. Grant missed the bowl game due to injury. Martin started in his place at STAR during the bowl game.

I'm hearing, although Grant is wearing a green "no contact" jersey so far this spring he has been working at strong safety, and Martin is splitting time at STAR with Ibn McDaniels.

Buxton also missed the bowl game due to injury and is also wearing a green jersey this spring. Buxton had more than 350 snaps at safety last season.

When Grant and Buxton return from their injuries, I expect they both will be competing for starting spots.

With Grant and Buxton our for the bowl game last year former walk-on QB Patrick Grusser was moved to safety for depth. Grusser is still working at safety this spring.

So far this spring (only three practices) I'm hearing the depth looks like this with Grant and Buxton out.

• STAR; Martin and McDaniels
• Free safety; Chestnut and Washington
• Strong safety; Long and Perry

As I understand it, the free and strong are almost interchangeable. One starts lining up to the field and one to the boundary, and they make adjustments as the offense motions, shifts or changes formation.

Interesting piece that I've not been able to verify yet is I hear the very athletic Caden Brown (6'4", 215 - sophomore), has been working at STAR. Caden's size and athleticism could be very interesting, but he'll need to adjust to playing in space. His father, Alban Brown, played football for Syracuse in the late 80s.

The corners are rotating, and everyone is getting a look at this point. We don't have a lot of experience at CB so young guys will have an early opportunity to see what they can do.

• Greg Delaine, RS Jr; played well in the bowl game last year and played well in 2023 when he had more than 200 snaps at CB.
• Devian Kerr (Kerr 1), So; played more than 200 snaps at CB late last year with mixed reviews. Plenty of upside here.
• Demetres Samuel, true freshman; appears to be doing very well since he arrived on campus in January. Will push for playing time.
• Kaylib Singleton and Devion Kerr (Kerr 2) are both true freshmen who are getting reps.
• We also have 4 more true freshmen scheduled to report in July: Lawrence, Gibbs, Bredell and Andrews.

I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of guys who are currently working at safety (McDaniels, Washington, or Long) end up working at CB during the summer.

I also saw we picked up two more coaches to work with the secondary; Kevin Coyle (former DC at Fresno State) is working with the corners, and Blaine Miller (former defensive analyst at UGA) is working with the safeties and STAR position.



Go Orange

That's super helpful. Thanks for filling in the secondary blanks and updating the rotations. Star/Safety are hard to assess this early, especially with Grant and Buxton nicked up. But if things play out similarly, Grant may wind up at SS instead of star (he had an MCL repair I believe). It'll be interesting to see who emerges at LB. MacDonald has a lot of experience but coverage might not be his forte'. ZMG is there, mostly special teams but a guy with beef, range and talent. Heard has looked really good. The frosh Canadian Crusher. Agree with Go that LB is a big area of uncertainty.

Go 'Cuse.

 

[kcsu]

That's super helpful. Thanks for filling in the secondary blanks and updating the rotations. Star/Safety are hard positions to assess with Grant and Buxton nicked up. But if things play out similarly, Grant may wind up at SS instead of star (he had an MCL repair I believe). It'll be interesting to see who emerges at LB. MacDonald has a lot of experience but LB coverage responsibilities might not be his forte'. ZMG is there, mostly special teams but a guy with beef, range and talent. Heard has looked really good. The frosh Canadian Crusher. Agree with Go that LB is a big area of uncertainty.

Go 'Cuse.

David O at LB

 

[0.2 YNdeeR]

David O at LB

I like that idea if he can cover. Young man has been making plays all over the field. Also, Caden Brown at star is intriguing. Both cats are big athletic guys that fly around and make plays.

 

[BillSU]

DL - 10 guys with significant experience returning.

Jaquez, Sr; Jobity, Sr; Wilson, Sr, Simmons, Sr; Thomas, Sr; EFC, Sr; Perry, Jr; Hastings, Jr; Watson, So, KJE, So

Competing to get in the rotation - Miles Rfr, Nyandoro, Fr; Thompson, Fr; Pray, Fr; EThomas Fr are here now. Which guys can be contributors?

Fall guys, Ogbebor, Gillians; Crawford; Muhammad - all bring good size day one.

LB - Most uncertain position on the team.

Sparrow, Sr; McDonald, Sr; Omopariola, So; Heard, So; have the most experience.

ZMG, Lesaine - special teams guys so far.

Deslauriers has the hype, is he equal to it?

Other guys - CBrown, JBrown, Diggs, FBrown, Dudley - are any of them ready to play

Db

Chestnut, Grant are locked in starters.

Davien Kerr, Samuel, Bruxton seem like the most likey starters after that.

Who from Long, Martin, Perry, McDaniels, Washington, Delaine can be in the two deep?

True freshman Davion Kerr, Andrews, Singleton are on campus, Gibbs, Lawerence, Bredell - fall guys. Same question as above.

I think King Joseph Edwards has spent enough time learning and sitting. His journeys playing in games are very good and I believe he is going to be a defensive star.

Redshirt Year (2024): Appeared in five games (four regular season, plus the bowl), to preserve his redshirt ... Made five tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks and a quarterback hurry on the season ... Made his collegiate debut against Holy Cross (9/28), making three sacks and adding a quarterback hurry. His three sacks ties for the eighth-highest single-game total in program history and were the most in a game by an SU player since 2021 ... Also saw time at NC State (10/12), at Pitt (10/24) and against Virginia Tech (11/2) ... Made two solo tackles in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl vs. Washington State (12/27).

 

[Cusefan69]

DL - 10 guys with significant experience returning.

Jaquez, Sr; Jobity, Sr; Wilson, Sr, Simmons, Sr; Thomas, Sr; EFC, Sr; Perry, Jr; Hastings, Jr; Watson, So, KJE, So

Competing to get in the rotation - Miles Rfr, Nyandoro, Fr; Thompson, Fr; Pray, Fr; EThomas Fr are here now. Which guys can be contributors?

Fall guys, Ogbebor, Gillians; Crawford; Muhammad - all bring good size day one.

LB - Most uncertain position on the team.

Sparrow, Sr; McDonald, Sr; Omopariola, So; Heard, So; have the most experience.

ZMG, Lesaine - special teams guys so far.

Deslauriers has the hype, is he equal to it?

Other guys - CBrown, JBrown, Diggs, FBrown, Dudley - are any of them ready to play

Db

Chestnut, Grant are locked in starters.

Davien Kerr, Samuel, Bruxton seem like the most likey starters after that.

Who from Long, Martin, Perry, McDaniels, Washington, Delaine can be in the two deep?

True freshman Davion Kerr, Andrews, Singleton are on campus, Gibbs, Lawerence, Bredell - fall guys. Same question as above.

Does Grant replace Barron? I wonder if he is getting some reps there. Size and speed measurables may play better in replacing Barron.

 

[kcsu]

I like that idea if he can cover. Young man has been making plays all over the field. Also, Caden Brown at star is intriguing. Both cats are big athletic guys that fly around and make plays.

MLB

 

[GoSU96]

Does Grant replace Barron? I wonder if he is getting some reps there. Size and speed measurables may play better in replacing Barron.

I don’t see it.

 

[Cusefan69]

I don’t see it.

Yeah I was off on Grants weight. Barron listed last year at 6’4 224. Grant also 6’4 but 199. Thought Grant was closer to 210/212 ish and could have added another 10 in the offseason but at 199 definitely not. So yep, agree.

 

[orangepassion]

Last season Grant began the season at CB. After WAX was injured Barron moved from STAR to LB, and Grant moved to STAR where he played for the majority of the season. Grant missed the bowl game due to injury. Martin started in his place at STAR during the bowl game.

I'm hearing, although Grant is wearing a green "no contact" jersey so far this spring he has been working at strong safety, and Martin is splitting time at STAR with Ibn McDaniels.

Buxton also missed the bowl game due to injury and is also wearing a green jersey this spring. Buxton had more than 350 snaps at safety last season.

When Grant and Buxton return from their injuries, I expect they both will be competing for starting spots.

With Grant and Buxton our for the bowl game last year former walk-on QB Patrick Grusser was moved to safety for depth. Grusser is still working at safety this spring.

So far this spring (only three practices) I'm hearing the depth looks like this with Grant and Buxton out.

• STAR; Martin and McDaniels
• Free safety; Chestnut and Washington
• Strong safety; Long and Perry

As I understand it, the free and strong are almost interchangeable. One starts lining up to the field and one to the boundary, and they make adjustments as the offense motions, shifts or changes formation.

Interesting piece that I've not been able to verify yet is I hear the very athletic Caden Brown (6'4", 215 - sophomore), has been working at STAR. Caden's size and athleticism could be very interesting, but he'll need to adjust to playing in space. His father, Alban Brown, played football for Syracuse in the late 80s.

The corners are rotating, and everyone is getting a look at this point. We don't have a lot of experience at CB so young guys will have an early opportunity to see what they can do.

• Greg Delaine, RS Jr; played well in the bowl game last year and played well in 2023 when he had more than 200 snaps at CB.
• Devian Kerr (Kerr 1), So; played more than 200 snaps at CB late last year with mixed reviews. Plenty of upside here.
• Demetres Samuel, true freshman; appears to be doing very well since he arrived on campus in January. Will push for playing time.
• Kaylib Singleton and Devion Kerr (Kerr 2) are both true freshmen who are getting reps.
• We also have 4 more true freshmen scheduled to report in July: Lawrence, Gibbs, Bredell and Andrews.

I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of guys who are currently working at safety (McDaniels, Washington, or Long) end up working at CB during the summer.

I also saw we picked up two more coaches to work with the secondary; Kevin Coyle (former DC at Fresno State) is working with the corners, and Blaine Miller (former defensive analyst at UGA) is working with the safeties and STAR position.



Go Orange

How does this post only have about 20 likes?

 

[Niastri]

Agree on Duce (locked in at safety). I would think, after Barron's (successful) conversion, Grant might get a look at OLB or star. He's not as thick as Barron (at 200), but he's decent in coverage and can bring the wood in run fits. Buxton, Martin have looked good at safety, and there's talent at free and strong in the pipeline (M. Washington and McDaniels).

He might be fine at strong safety, but LB lost a lot of experience and talent. McDonald is decent against the run but lacks coverage speed. ZMG has size and looks quick but has played mostly ST. Deslauriers (fr) is leading the weight room, but can he lead the defense? Can he take signals, react to the offensive look and cover TE's and receivers out of the backfield ... as a first year player? Tall order. Gunna be interesting to see what shakes out behind the DL this spring and fall.

Assuming Deslauriers can win the job physically, and mentally manage his own responsibilities. Could somebody else, maybe Grant or Chestnut, handle the reads and play calling so Deslauriers can just play his position and do his own reads?

 

[cusefan88]

Having a good DL will help ease issues at LB and DB. Especially if the tackles can improve on run defense.

 

[Niastri]

I missed that Kevin Coyle? HFS, that’s great. He was at the coaches convention and I suggested Fran should try to bring in some of those dudes to mentor Robinson when I linked a picture.

more than just a stop here and fresno

Kevin Coyle - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Now add Eddie O on the DL and P as an analyst.

Great tidbit about Coyle.

I am excited for the Coyle hire. He has tremendous defensive coaching experience, including NFL experience as a defensive backs position coach. He’s been a head coach as well (a bad season in the American Alliance of Football) so he can be a resource in a variety of ways. Pretty amazing to have this guy here in between Coordinator jobs or as a retirement gig, right when we have two dozen untested young defensive backs on the roster.

Another great example of Fran’s attention to detail, and also the budget he seems to have available.

 

[OttosDad]

Assuming Deslauriers can win the job physically, and mentally manage his own responsibilities. Could somebody else, maybe Grant or Chestnut, handle the reads and play calling so Deslauriers can just play his position and do his own reads?

Might be smart to have McDonald on the field for this too. He struggled at times last year, and he’s by no means a lock to start. But his experience and smarts should put him under consideration to wear the green dot.