2010 UT NSD Defensive Class Grades....

#27
#27
g8terh8ter_eric said:
He's basically been the same size for 3 years. I think he will put some more on in college, but if he doesn't get to 260-270 range, it's going to be hard for him to be effective at the DE position, IMO.
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260-270 is a big college DE. Most of our guys are in are in the 230-250 range, and it has been like that for quite a while.
 
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#28
#28
Eric, at least you're not like "Football Time in Tennessee" magazine and give all of these players "A" grades and tout them as freshmen All-SEC.
 
#29
#29
I feel all the EE's kinda got lost in the formula today, nationally. While it is true, we could of used another or two DL, (Copeland would of been nice), we did address it with some pretty good ones. Same for the OL. Not sure how many would of made everyone happy with either OL/DL, but we got our share. In fact we needed ppl everywhere. Depth and starters. Truth be told we prob went with too many WR's, but nobody is gonna complain with the studs we got. CDD and staff hit needs all over and that is where I thought the class was strongest. By looking at it as a whole, and not focusing on one area too much............. Remember, Rome wasnt built in a day....or so they say....I wasnt there.
 
#30
#30
In fairness Eric, if Tennessee goes a different route with the defense, you could very well be right. It just seems that we have had a lot of smaller faster DEs for as long as I can remember.
 
#31
#31
emainvol said:
260-270 is a big college DE. Most of our guys are in are in the 230-250 range, and it has been like that for quite a while.
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Which is why over the past 10 years, our defensive line has gotten less and less sacks on the QB. OL are getting bigger and faster, can't keep smaller DEs forever.
 
#32
#32
You really think Dixon and Loften would redshirt? I see Dixon being at least on special teams and the return games. Loften would be a suitable back up till he is ready to take over I would think.
 
#33
#33
Burhead said:
You really think Dixon and Loften would redshirt? I see Dixon being at least on special teams and the return games. Loften would be a suitable back up till he is ready to take over I would think.
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I see Jackson (if he keeps his butt out of trouble), Myles Jr., Prentiss, and Rod Wilks as the safeties, IMO.
 
#36
#36
g8terh8ter_eric said:
Which is why over the past 10 years, our defensive line has gotten less and less sacks on the QB. OL are getting bigger and faster, can't keep smaller DEs forever.
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Fair enough, although I think much of that has to do with the lack of depth and quality at the DT spot over the better part of the last 10 years
 
#37
#37
emainvol said:
Fair enough, although I think much of that has to do with the lack of depth and quality at the DT spot over the better part of the last 10 years
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I agree. It's just hard to predict which way some of these borderline DE/LB's will go once they get to college. FWIW, Smith is about the same size as Leonard Little was when he got to Tennessee.
 
#39
#39
g8terh8ter_eric said:
Which is why over the past 10 years, our defensive line has gotten less and less sacks on the QB. OL are getting bigger and faster, can't keep smaller DEs forever.
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I don't think that's correct conclusion. Ends have gotten smaller to get more speed in order to put more pressure on the qb and get sacks. The lack of production from our dline is due to the drop off of production of the defensive tackles. They just haven't been as good. Chavis' scheme required that you have d tackles that had the ability to command double teams and get pressure up the middle of the pocket. Ours haven't been able to do that recently, although big Dan had a good year this year. The lack of quality d tackles is the reason for production dropping off, not lighter ends.
 
#43
#43
g8terh8ter_eric said:
He's basically been the same size for 3 years. I think he will put some more on in college, but if he doesn't get to 260-270 range, it's going to be hard for him to be effective at the DE position, IMO.
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Because he's been a very serious wrestler as well. IIRC, he won the state championship last year. He has had to drop down to 215 every year for wrestling.

Jac Smith is ripped at 230-235 so it will be easier for him to put on weight because he can afford to put on a little fat too.

Everybody was on Chris Walker's nuts this year and he was lucky to be pushing 240.
 
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