Eight
Member
the presumption is that this will be one of gary's best defense, but for that to happen the frogs are going to need to find stability in a few key areas. a few areas aren't as much worries as areas that i am interested in watching develop over camp and the early season.
specifically, linebacker and defensive end. one thing that has played out since the frogs has joined the big 12 is that you need quality depth to sustain the play of the defense over the season. the frogs aren't just looking for starters, but also those rotational players at each of the positions. this picture will get sharper once they get into pads, but at this point;
defensive end - projected starters of ochaun mathis and shameik blackshear on paper have potential and the expectation is they will be solid. they need to show they are up to the task and who backs them up? do we see parker workman and adam plant? once you get past that group of four things get a bit interesting when you look at the depth chart.
linebacker - projected started of garret wallow and montrel wilson. number of great things written about wallow entering the year so for arguments sakes lets take the stance he lives up to the hype. who plays next to him? staff is supposedly high on wilson and positive things have been written about the role he has taken with the young linebackers. the catch is mention he will be limited to 15-20 snaps early in the year. will we see ben wilson splitting reps with montrel at this position? who backs up wallow? with the emphasis on teams becoming more physical and a turn towards the power run game in the big 12 having 4 linebackers will matter. can montrel stay healthy? can ben take over the other reps? who is the 4th linebacker in the rotation?
one other position that is interesting to me is the back up corners.
if gladney and lewis are healthy they are the starters, but both are gone and behind them sit two interesting prospects. noah daniels somehow is only a sophomore despite seeming to be a guy in the program longer than 2 seasons. gary's defensive unicorn has been a 6'+ corner who can turn and run with any receiver the frogs will face and he actually has that in gladney. i am curious if this is the year we start to see some consistency in noah's play and he puts himself in postion to take over for jeff next year. additionally, tony wallace was recruited out of juco to provide depth this year and press for starting time next year. he is just under 6' and was highly recruited coming out of juco. does he fit in behind julius or do we see one of the young corners step up?
anyone have any areas outside of quarterback that interest them going into this season?
specifically, linebacker and defensive end. one thing that has played out since the frogs has joined the big 12 is that you need quality depth to sustain the play of the defense over the season. the frogs aren't just looking for starters, but also those rotational players at each of the positions. this picture will get sharper once they get into pads, but at this point;
defensive end - projected starters of ochaun mathis and shameik blackshear on paper have potential and the expectation is they will be solid. they need to show they are up to the task and who backs them up? do we see parker workman and adam plant? once you get past that group of four things get a bit interesting when you look at the depth chart.
linebacker - projected started of garret wallow and montrel wilson. number of great things written about wallow entering the year so for arguments sakes lets take the stance he lives up to the hype. who plays next to him? staff is supposedly high on wilson and positive things have been written about the role he has taken with the young linebackers. the catch is mention he will be limited to 15-20 snaps early in the year. will we see ben wilson splitting reps with montrel at this position? who backs up wallow? with the emphasis on teams becoming more physical and a turn towards the power run game in the big 12 having 4 linebackers will matter. can montrel stay healthy? can ben take over the other reps? who is the 4th linebacker in the rotation?
one other position that is interesting to me is the back up corners.
if gladney and lewis are healthy they are the starters, but both are gone and behind them sit two interesting prospects. noah daniels somehow is only a sophomore despite seeming to be a guy in the program longer than 2 seasons. gary's defensive unicorn has been a 6'+ corner who can turn and run with any receiver the frogs will face and he actually has that in gladney. i am curious if this is the year we start to see some consistency in noah's play and he puts himself in postion to take over for jeff next year. additionally, tony wallace was recruited out of juco to provide depth this year and press for starting time next year. he is just under 6' and was highly recruited coming out of juco. does he fit in behind julius or do we see one of the young corners step up?
anyone have any areas outside of quarterback that interest them going into this season?
