We are in dire need of at least 3 JUCO D-linemen

[anomander]

Sorry, I'd like to believe all this young guy stuff but the vast majority of linemen coming out of high school are not physically ready to go in their 1st year. That's just fact. I'm hoping like you that ours are but is that realistic?

You're right about it being tough for true Freshman to come in and play right away, but there is nothing we can do about that now. If we could have got a stud JC DT this year, then yes, but since we didn't there is no sense in taking any this recruiting cycle. Those true Freshman will now be Sophomore, and they would probably be more talented than any JC DT we'd be able to bring in.

This year could be a concern (which I don't think it will be), but 2016 is looking good.

 

[kcsu]

You're right about it being tough for true Freshman to come in and play right away, but there is nothing we can do about that now. If we could have got a stud JC DT this year, then yes, but since we didn't there is no sense in taking any this recruiting cycle. Those true Freshman will now be Sophomore, and they would probably be more talented than any JC DT we'd be able to bring in.

This year could be a concern (which I don't think it will be), but 2016 is looking good.

Not sure who we are targeting but one game ready juco is not a bad idea for next year

 

[bcubs9497]

Sorry, I'd like to believe all this young guy stuff but the vast majority of linemen coming out of high school are not physically ready to go in their 1st year. That's just fact. I'm hoping like you that ours are but is that realistic?

https://instagram.com/p/1REIGyBLrm/

I'm not too worried.

 

[CuseLegacy]

https://instagram.com/p/1REIGyBLrm/

I'm not too worried.

What was he lifting?

 

[OrangeXtreme]

What was he lifting?

A Volkswagon.

 

[bcubs9497]

For perspective, John Urschel on max-out day when he was at Penn State:

 

[bcubs9497]

What was he lifting?

On that particular deadlift day, a little more than a month ago, he lifted 525. He's upped it since then, by 10-15 pounds. He's been focusing more on speed lately.

 

[CuseLegacy]

A Volkswagon.

Bus or Beetle?

 

[bcubs9497]

By the way, before the deadlifts, he'd just done a 3x12 at 405.

And, I'll wager that all our boys are working pretty hard. If there are going to be issues, it won't be strength or conditioning. It'll be learning the defense and adapting to the speed of the college game.

 

[jekelish]

By the way, before the deadlifts, he'd just done a 3x12 at 405.

And, I'll wager that all our boys are working pretty hard. If there are going to be issues, it won't be strength or conditioning. It'll be learning the defense and adapting to the speed of the college game.

Agree with this. Steven and Shy, in particular, are going to be two freshmen stepping in as physically ready to play as any freshmen we've had in a long time (I know Shy isn't a DL, but still). And as I mentioned, Pickard has put on 20+ pounds since February. He's going to be in the 250-260 range by the time he gets to campus. He'll be ready.

 

[anomander]

Agree with this. Steven and Shy, in particular, are going to be two freshmen stepping in as physically ready to play as any freshmen we've had in a long time (I know Shy isn't a DL, but still). And as I mentioned, Pickard has put on 20+ pounds since February. He's going to be in the 250-260 range by the time he gets to campus. He'll be ready.

I think expectations are a little too high. They're are very few true Freshman who step in to a big role. I definitely don't see Shy cracking the 2 deep at LB. I would say Clark has a good chance, but DL is just so hard for true Freshman to step in and play. The only 2 true Freshman I can see playing a significant role are Marquis Blair and Dontae Strickland.

 

[007]

https://instagram.com/p/1REIGyBLrm/

I'm not too worried.

Can we get all 4 of the guys in that pic to come?

 

[jekelish]

I think expectations are a little too high. They're are very few true Freshman who step in to a big role. I definitely don't see Shy cracking the 2 deep at LB. I would say Clark has a good chance, but DL is just so hard for true Freshman to step in and play. The only 2 true Freshman I can see playing a significant role are Marquis Blair and Dontae Strickland.

I'd actually be pretty shocked if Shy doesn't play this year. I dunno if he'll get on the 2-deep, but he'll be a special teams stud and definitely be in the rotation at LB. And Clark, he will definitely play. Pickard as well.

 

[Full_Rebar]

Weight and strength are one thing, but people need to temper expectations on true freshmen stepping right into major roles. I'd expect some situational use and special teams play, but how many of our current NFL guys were ready to go as frosh?

 

[bcubs9497]

I think expectations are a little too high. They're are very few true Freshman who step in to a big role. I definitely don't see Shy cracking the 2 deep at LB. I would say Clark has a good chance, but DL is just so hard for true Freshman to step in and play. The only 2 true Freshman I can see playing a significant role are Marquis Blair and Dontae Strickland.

Steven, I think, has a decent chance of cracking the 2 deep. I do think his technique needs refinement. My biggest concerns are whether or not he'll quickly adapt to the speed of the college game and the complexity of the defense. I'm cautiously optimistic.

 

[Full_Rebar]

Steven, I think, has a decent chance of cracking the 2 deep. I do think his technique needs refinement. My biggest concerns are whether or not he'll quickly adapt to the speed of the college game and the complexity of the defense. I'm cautiously optimistic.

Nothing wrong with optimism at all. I just don't want people putting unreasonable expectations on incoming players, as it can then turn into a situation where people feel the player "disappointed" (like Kaleb Joseph last year in hoops).

 

[TheCusian]

Nothing wrong with optimism at all. I just don't want people putting unreasonable expectations on incoming players, as it can then turn into a situation where people feel the player "disappointed" (like Kaleb Joseph last year in hoops).

Agree - though the basketball side is crazier about that kind of thing. I feel like if Shafer and Daoust say "Cross and Clark need some more time" - no one here would bat an eye. Less players, shorter (typically) development cycle, national championship level expectations, HoF coach - all lead to a brighter spotlight for Joseph.

 

[Doc5120]

I agree with a lot of this. Thompson will be a stud at DE. He was a stud at DT last year despite being undersized, and will benefit from shifting back to his more natural position. With him set at one DE, we only need one guy to emerge as a competent starter opposite Thompson. Will be interesting to see if Simmons / Arcinega step up and contribute as seniors, or if any of the frosh [Ealey, Sheppard, Pickard] are ready to get into the mix. We need a few guys here to emerge as rotation candidates.

At DT, we do have some injury question marks. If Raymon bounces back, then I think we could be loaded at DT. I have a feeling that Raymon and Williams will BOTH be healthy and in shape, and that they will give us a strong nucleus inside against the run. Slayton, Samuels, and the incoming frosh Clark / Cross will give us a more than adequate rotation inside to spell those guys--so barring catostrophic injuries like we saw at OL last year, we should be all set at DT.

So bottom line for me:

• We need 2-3 DEs to emerge so we can have a viable rotation alongside Thompson and get upfield pressure on QBs
• We need Raymon / Williams to stay healthy
• We need Slayton and Samuels to continue the impressive play they showed during spring ball
• We need some of the frosh [Ealey, Sheppard, Pickard, Cross, and Clark] to provide quality depth

If those things happen, and I am confident that they will [although a bit concerned about DE], then DL will be an area of strength like 007 suggests above.

That is certainly a lot of if's, however I feel good about most of it.

Ron Thompson is the real deal. He and all 155 lbs of me at DE are close to an upgrade from Welsh/Robinson. Putting Donnie Simmons on the other end should help cause some havoc for opposing QB's.
I really like both Raymon and Williams. 2 huge bodies inside that can eat up a lot of blockers.
I'll take one of Slayton/Samuels being a more than serviceable option for this year.
From what people say here, it sounds like Clark and/or Pickard should be ready to contribute immediately.

With such a young and unproven secondary, we'll have to rely heavily on our front 7. I hope and think they're ready.