'22 GA EDGE Joshua Josephs (Tennessee signee)

[LittleVol]

I'm excited about Josephs. He was dominant last year and far more athletic than I think even many of our fans realize. The reason that I think he sees limited snaps this year i(outside of special teams) s due to strength. He wasn't an early enrollee.. He's a summer arrival and while he's already put on some good weight, I don't think he'll be strong enough to hold up at the line of scrimmage. I'd love to be wrong and see him contribute in situational packages. Yes, true freshman get playing time every year, but offensive and defensive lines are the hardest areas to adjust to at the collegiate level. So when those guys play its usually out of desperation.

It seems he and Pearce have added muscle very quickly.

They're not going to be able to be everydown LBs for another 12 months probably.
Hence why the redshirt would make sense.

But we really don't have that luxury. They need to provide meaningful reps rushing the passer. And mostly special teams play.
So they don't have to be every down LBs right now to meaningfully contribute.

 

[Enki_Amenra]

It seems he and Pearce have added muscle very quickly.

They're not going to be able to be everydown LBs for another 12 months probably.
Hence why the redshirt would make sense.

But we really don't have that luxury. They need to provide meaningful reps rushing the passer. And mostly special teams play.
So they don't have to be every down LBs right now to meaningfully contribute.

Pearce is gonna be big-time!

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Pearce is gonna be big-time!

It is good we will have some competition at many more positions this Fall.

 

[BucksnortVol]

Does playing special teams prevent a redshirt season?

If you play a play, in any capacity, it counts as a game played.

 

[bigl3327]

It seems he and Pearce have added muscle very quickly.

They're not going to be able to be everydown LBs for another 12 months probably.
Hence why the redshirt would make sense.

But we really don't have that luxury. They need to provide meaningful reps rushing the passer. And mostly special teams play.
So they don't have to be every down LBs right now to meaningfully contribute.

The problem is they are rush ends (edge), not linebackers in our defense. They'll be playing with their hand in the dirt. I agree that we need the help right now. That help needed to come from the portal. We don't have many pure pass rushers right now. I really hope that both can contribute on passing downs by mid season. It's just not likely.

 

[LittleVol]

The problem is they are rush ends (edge), not linebackers in our defense. They'll be playing with their hand in the dirt. I agree that we need the help right now. That help needed to come from the portal. We don't have many pure pass rushers right now. I really hope that both can contribute on passing downs by mid season. It's just not likely.

Edge absolutely plays stand up too...

 

[bigl3327]

Edge absolutely plays stand up too...

Watch our games last year and see how many snaps they took standing vs. hand on the ground. I tend to say things regarding our team specifically instead of generalizations.

 

[Ace]

If they are ready then play Joseph and Pierce, keep the line fresh. Let Young and Harrison be fresh for 4 th quarter

 

[LittleVol]

Watch our games last year and see how many snaps they took standing vs. hand on the ground. I tend to say things regarding our team specifically instead of generalizations.

It depends on down and distance.
And personnel on the field.

Sometimes they started with hand on the ground then shifted. Sometimes they didn't even rush but stayed in their gap.

Big man...
You don't recruit those young studs to let them watch all season. We don't have the depth.
It as an absolute that they will play in 2022 and not redshirt because they will play every game. Maybe even start one of the lesser games. 10 snaps and some special teams each.

 

[VolInDayton]

They are still very useful when building a program, particularly for those that play on the line of scrimmage. Very few are physically ready at 18 to take on grown men with 3-4 years of development in the trenches.

Exactly. Most players aren't ready year 1 even if they aren't going to be at a school for 5 years.

 

[bigl3327]

It depends on down and distance.
And personnel on the field.

Sometimes they started with hand on the ground then shifted. Sometimes they didn't even rush but stayed in their gap.

Big man...
You don't recruit those young studs to let them watch all season. We don't have the depth.
It as an absolute that they will play in 2022 and not redshirt because they will play every game. Maybe even start one of the lesser games. 10 snaps and some special teams each.

The hope is always that they can contribute immediately. They won't start a single game unless it's due to injury. Even against our lesser opponents. If you don't treat every game like you're playing Georgia or Bama, you end up with a Georgia St. situation. It's in the recruiting evaluations of both of the freshmen edge rushers that they will need time in weight room and added weight to contribute. I hope that me and the evaluators are wrong. I try to be realistic with expectations of true freshmen.

 

[bigl3327]

If they are ready then play Joseph and Pierce, keep the line fresh. Let Young and Harrison be fresh for 4 th quarter

My whole argument is about the likelihood of them not being ready. You play your best players (most talented doesn't always equate to best) regardless of class. The physical and mental learning curve is steep. More so for certain positions.

 

[Clevegasvol]

My whole argument is about the likelihood of them not being ready. You play your best players (most talented doesn't always equate to best) regardless of class. The physical and mental learning curve is steep. More so for certain positions.

I agree with everything you said. I think if Pearce can add a solid 5 plus pounds in season, I think he would be physically ready to contribute. Just my opinion though. He’s probably already the second best pass rusher behind Young just by stepping on campus. Whether he’s actually ready or not you can’t just rely on two Leo’s all year

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

Our 3rd down defense was so bad last year because we got zero pressure on the QB. Obviously it’d be nice to let them have a learning curve but we’re going to need all hands on deck to get off the field.

True. Also, zone defense on third down killed us too. We loved dropping in a zone on third down when we were mainly running man on early downs.

 

[swchandler1988]

True. Also, zone defense on third down killed us too. We loved dropping in a zone on third down when we were mainly running man on early downs.

Zone defense combined with zero pressure. Bryce Young literally stood still just perusing which receiver to throw to

 

[bigl3327]

I agree with everything you said. I think if Pearce can add a solid 5 plus pounds in season, I think he would be physically ready to contribute. Just my opinion though. He’s probably already the second best pass rusher behind Young just by stepping on campus. Whether he’s actually ready or not you can’t just rely on two Leo’s all year

It definitely makes the coaches earn a paycheck. They will have to be creative with blitz packages and the guys we have on the roster. This should be easier to do in year 2 of the defense, but still not an easy task.

 

[LittleVol]

Exactly. Most players aren't ready year 1 even if they aren't going to be at a school for 5 years.

No ones really arguing that.
Nobody.

Literally, they were recruited to play immediately, because we NEED them to be able to contribute.

A simple look at our depth chart will tell you that. You need an elite/ fresh athlete coming off the edge while our seniors dawg the most of the game.

"Being ready " is not the same as playing 10 or so snaps on defense.

 

[VolInDayton]

No ones really arguing that.
Nobody.

Literally, they were recruited to play immediately, because we NEED them to be able to contribute.

A simple look at our depth chart will tell you that. You need an elite/ fresh athlete coming off the edge while our seniors dawg the most of the game.

"Being ready " is not the same as playing 10 or so snaps on defense.

We played freshman for 10 snaps last year that shouldn't be getting them. Even the majority of freshman should only be getting 10 snaps in non conference games ONLY.

 

[LittleVol]

We played freshman for 10 snaps last year that shouldn't be getting them. Even the majority of freshman should only be getting 10 snaps in non conference games ONLY.

Okay...
So 2023 season will happen eventually.
No more Young, Harrison, or probably Baron too.

So you want to roll out there with two RS Freshman with zero game experience?
Or
Two Sophomores that have double digit tackels. 150 live college football snaps and are just as big and strong as they would be if they Redshirted PLUS they're more attuned with the defensive scheme from having live reps??

 

[bigl3327]

We played freshman for 10 snaps last year that shouldn't be getting them. Even the majority of freshman should only be getting 10 snaps in non conference games ONLY.

The statement that he made that they were recruited to play immediately is simply false. Golesh stated last year that he has never NOT redshirted a TE. Kids are recruited on what they can potentially be with development. Not what they can be immediately. I would say that's the case with 80+% of recruits. There's and old coaching adage that's says for every true freshman that you have to start, mark down one guaranteed loss on your schedule.

 

[bigl3327]

Okay...
So 2023 season will happen eventually.
No more Young, Harrison, or probably Baron too.

So you want to roll out there with two RS Freshman with zero game experience?
Or
Two Sophomores that have double digit tackels. 150 live college football snaps and are just as big and strong as they would be if they Redshirted PLUS they're more attuned with the defensive scheme from having live reps??

Harrison still has a Covid year to use and can come back in 2023.

 

[LittleVol]

Harrison still has a Covid year to use and can come back in 2023.

Harrison, Young, and Baron can come back if im not mistaken.
That really worked for Velus and Theo.

If that happens, then you will have Grown strong men at edge along with the young guys that already have their feet wet. So instead of 10 snaps they contributing maybe 30 in 2023

then in 2024 they'e finally "starting". As juniors that have already signifcantly contributed.
Not to mention you want those young guys getting live while the OG's are still with them on the sideline. It's a whole different thing when it's just practice.

The type of thing you're talking about won't happen till 2024. Then yeah, maybe we can RS all our 4 star edges we recruit

 

[bigl3327]

Harrison, Young, and Baron can come back if im not mistaken.
That really worked for Velus and Theo.

If that happens, then you will have Grown strong men at edge along with the young guys that already have their feet wet. So instead of 10 snaps they contributing maybe 30 in 2023

then in 2024 they'e finally "starting". As juniors that have already signifcantly contributed.
Not to mention you want those young guys getting live while the OG's are still with them on the sideline. It's a whole different thing when it's just practice.

The type of thing you're talking about won't happen till 2024. Then yeah, maybe we can RS all our 4 star edges we recruit

What edges (that played) did we lose from last season? We didn't lose anybody. I know the depth there is not ideal, but we also don't know how many of our DL have progressed. We won't know until the season starts. Every year there are guys that become stars that we don't anticipate. Tillman and Jackson last year for example. If they aren't ready, you don't burn a redshirt unless absolutely necessary. If I'm a 6'6" 330lb senior left tackle, I'm licking my chops if I look up and see one of those freshmen across from me.

 

[bigl3327]

Harrison, Young, and Baron can come back if im not mistaken.
That really worked for Velus and Theo.

If that happens, then you will have Grown strong men at edge along with the young guys that already have their feet wet. So instead of 10 snaps they contributing maybe 30 in 2023

then in 2024 they'e finally "starting". As juniors that have already signifcantly contributed.
Not to mention you want those young guys getting live while the OG's are still with them on the sideline. It's a whole different thing when it's just practice.

The type of thing you're talking about won't happen till 2024. Then yeah, maybe we can RS all our 4 star edges we recruit

I also think Baron has been moved to SDE.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

I prefer that they redshirt if at all possible. I don't see them beating out Young or Harrison on the depth chart this year. Let them get some experience in their 4 free games and unleash them next year after S&C. Redshirting and developing guys will be another big part in our success.

I agree play in 4 and still get the redshirt year. GBO!