All spring, all fall and even all of last year during his stint with the scout team, we have heard about the evolution of Gerald Willis. The Louisiana native has a chance to show this Sunday that the tales of Willis on Greentree are more than just folklore. Willis and his fellow trench bullies on the interior defensive line will play pivotal a role in the success of the Miami defense and the demise of the LSU offense.
While LSU has made a lot of changing their offense to become a little more dynamic with some more spread concepts, their calling card has been and always will be the power running game. It’s true that LSU has no backs on the roster that have seen the end zone in an LSU uniform, but I have to imagine they have a formidable back that we just may not know about yet. I would have to believe that the Miami defense would be much more satisfied with first year starter Joe Burrow trying to beat them rather than any LSU back running behind a strong offensive line.
The way to do that is to win in the trenches especially on 1st and 2nd down runs. Gerald Willis will need to get penetration early and often to halt the LSU run game and force Joe Burrow into difficult third and longs. If Miami can get LSU into obvious passing situations, they can allow the thoroughbreds at defensive end to pin their ears back and get after the QB. None of this happens if the middle isn’t anchored down, and Willis has to be the captain of that boat.
The LSU interior line will be led by veteran Senior LG Garrett Brumfield. However, the other 2 in the middle aren’t quite as experienced. The sophomore center Lloyd Cushenberry who saw some time sparingly last year, but was not a starter. Right Guard Damien Lewis was a big time Ju-Co prospect, but this will be his first game in an LSU uniform. I don’t see Willis or any of the other d-lineman overpowering the LSU front, but UM certainly has the advantage athletically. They will need to use their quickness off the ball to get after this LSU group. All 3 of these guys average about 6’4 315 pounds across the board. LSU is usually very solid and physical up front and I don’t think this year is any different, but there is a lack of longevity among this group in the middle that could bode well for Willis and friends.
The defensive tackle spot was arguably the biggest question mark for the Canes coming into 2018. Gerald Willis can’t be the answer to all the questions on his own, but he certainly needs to be the catalyst for this group to have a productive game this Sunday and going forward this season. Guys like Bethel, Ford and grad transfer Odenigbo will also have to hold their own in this game.
Going down the list Miami’s defense wins almost every position matchup against LSU offense on paper. Our secondary is elite, our linebackers are veterans and there’s first round talents all throughout the defensive end group. I truly believe that if Miami can limit the LSU run game with constant penetration from Willis and the boys in the middle, they will be stuck in the mud offensively. Willis will be playing with some added emotion going against his hometown team. I imagine he will continue to play with something to prove the same way he has the past couple years on Greentree. As long as Manny Diaz can get the Greentree Willis to show up in Jerry’s world, Joe Burrow and the LSU offense will be in for a long night.
While LSU has made a lot of changing their offense to become a little more dynamic with some more spread concepts, their calling card has been and always will be the power running game. It’s true that LSU has no backs on the roster that have seen the end zone in an LSU uniform, but I have to imagine they have a formidable back that we just may not know about yet. I would have to believe that the Miami defense would be much more satisfied with first year starter Joe Burrow trying to beat them rather than any LSU back running behind a strong offensive line.
The way to do that is to win in the trenches especially on 1st and 2nd down runs. Gerald Willis will need to get penetration early and often to halt the LSU run game and force Joe Burrow into difficult third and longs. If Miami can get LSU into obvious passing situations, they can allow the thoroughbreds at defensive end to pin their ears back and get after the QB. None of this happens if the middle isn’t anchored down, and Willis has to be the captain of that boat.
The LSU interior line will be led by veteran Senior LG Garrett Brumfield. However, the other 2 in the middle aren’t quite as experienced. The sophomore center Lloyd Cushenberry who saw some time sparingly last year, but was not a starter. Right Guard Damien Lewis was a big time Ju-Co prospect, but this will be his first game in an LSU uniform. I don’t see Willis or any of the other d-lineman overpowering the LSU front, but UM certainly has the advantage athletically. They will need to use their quickness off the ball to get after this LSU group. All 3 of these guys average about 6’4 315 pounds across the board. LSU is usually very solid and physical up front and I don’t think this year is any different, but there is a lack of longevity among this group in the middle that could bode well for Willis and friends.
The defensive tackle spot was arguably the biggest question mark for the Canes coming into 2018. Gerald Willis can’t be the answer to all the questions on his own, but he certainly needs to be the catalyst for this group to have a productive game this Sunday and going forward this season. Guys like Bethel, Ford and grad transfer Odenigbo will also have to hold their own in this game.
Going down the list Miami’s defense wins almost every position matchup against LSU offense on paper. Our secondary is elite, our linebackers are veterans and there’s first round talents all throughout the defensive end group. I truly believe that if Miami can limit the LSU run game with constant penetration from Willis and the boys in the middle, they will be stuck in the mud offensively. Willis will be playing with some added emotion going against his hometown team. I imagine he will continue to play with something to prove the same way he has the past couple years on Greentree. As long as Manny Diaz can get the Greentree Willis to show up in Jerry’s world, Joe Burrow and the LSU offense will be in for a long night.
