Should we be concerned about the DL?
- Thread starter State43
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I trust the coaching staff is developing our young players that they will be ready to step up next season.
I guess I would be more concerned if we were losing DE's vs. DT's (Bankston & Bailey).
I wouldn't expect any of the freshman defensive lineman to get significant PT next season. But I think we have plenty of returning depth:
DT - Lee, Robertson, Singleton, Kleinow
DE - McDonald, Petersen, Wilson, Suttle, C. Bailey, Peterson
The main question mark is Uwazurike. If he comes back, our depth would be enhanced as he can play inside & outside.
I guess I would be more concerned if we were losing DE's vs. DT's (Bankston & Bailey).
I wouldn't expect any of the freshman defensive lineman to get significant PT next season. But I think we have plenty of returning depth:
DT - Lee, Robertson, Singleton, Kleinow
DE - McDonald, Petersen, Wilson, Suttle, C. Bailey, Peterson
The main question mark is Uwazurike. If he comes back, our depth would be enhanced as he can play inside & outside.
So here's my shot at it (going 3 man front because as much as they talk about 4 and list it on the depth chart, we never play it):
DE: McDonald, Suttle, C. Bailey, Gray, J. Peterson
NT: Lee, Singleton, Robertson, Brown, Wilson
DE: Z. Peterson, Robertson, B. Peterson, Wilson, Onyedim
Pretty sure Isiah Lee might be better than some
Give credit for.
Give credit for.
Enyi just announced he's coming back which does ALOT to ease any concerns in this department.
Winner. I think you will see Enyi at noise alot too.
Enyi coming back is huge for Will (McDonald). I am not knocking Zach Peterson, but our line is much more 'multiple' with Will McD and Enyi on each end (Enyi playing inside too).
Crazy the depth we have on the DL after so many years of suffering there. We had some quality starters but always seemed like we were trying to beef up undersized DE at DT and getting gashed. Now we have talent AND depth. Certainly a position group that has been SIGNIFICANTLY better under Campbell and his staff.
Yep, that's pretty good news! Not that the DL wouldn't have been decent without him, but Zach Peterson is not Enyi. Now my only concern is if they can put 20 lbs on McDonald. Right now, he's not an every down player. If they can get him up to 250, he will be. Still, they can play Enyi and Peterson on more running downs and rotate McDonald in when needed.
Enyi returning is huge. Allows him to start with Peterson and Lee in base packages to be better against the run and then move inside to allow McDonald to slide in and rush the passer. Need some beefy ends in a 3-3-5 if you want to hold up against the run. Exciting to see who steps up from the next group up of Singleton, B Peterson, Wilson, Suttle.
And, as an aside, also Cordarrius Bailey if he's still on the team - never saw any mention of him in 2020 but he's on the roster and has put on some good weight over his time at ISU.
And, as an aside, also Cordarrius Bailey if he's still on the team - never saw any mention of him in 2020 but he's on the roster and has put on some good weight over his time at ISU.
I think Johnny Wilson will get significant PT at either DE or DT. Guy had many many power 5 offers and was a haul of a recruit for us. Ditto with Singleton.
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McDonald is special. I'm not a scout but it seemed like Texas ran their offense to pass when McDonald was out and run when he was in. At least until the last drive.
I think the general.concern is just over the unknowns vs last year.
Above are 3 good guys w significant time. Last year you had 2 of those guys, plus the all time sack leader and his brother (both seniors) plus a highly rated bankston. Thats much more of a known quantity.
Could next years DL be better? Sure. But it could be worse if a couple of those guys dont pan out. Thus the angst.
That, plus we would rather worry about the d-line in the future, than the gd basketball in the present.
