Jelani - 4 star true freshman
Chick - 4 star true sophomore
McCord - 4 star true freshman
Grimble - 5 star true sophomore
Pierre - 3 star true sophomore
Luther - 4 star RS junior
For purposes of balance, my addition in
red
NO DL can be counted on to play significant snaps as a true freshman. McCord, Moore, Ivery, Terry, and Hamilton really have no business being on the field right now. I think they will all be great players one day but watch the ND on DVR in slow motion, this kids were getting MAN-HANDLED. ND has 4 Senior OL and 1 Junior. Do you know how much of a difference that makes? I saw McCord and Earl Moore pancaked 10-15 yards down the field about 10 times. Don't even get me started on Shayon Green, Corey King, and Darius Smith.
Core King is starting!!!!!! Seriously, think about that. His only other offer was FIU and he is starting as a true Sophomore! Olsen Pierre was heading to Temple. No one recruited Darius Smith. NO ONE! Shayon Green is a LB who has no explosion have numerous knee surgeries and put on 20 lbs to play end which slowed him down even more.
Why should our defense be any better than FIU or Eastern Kentucky when the players they would be recruiting are starting for us....as true sophomores.
All Coach D is asking them to is maintain the line of scrimmage. It is simple. The purpose is to keep the OL off the LB. It makes complete sense. LB is the strength of our team. Why would you starting shooting gaps with guys who probably wont make plays anyways and negate the strength of your defense. Further, offenses will just adjust and use cut backs, counters, etc. It is STUPID and it is why they won't change. You will have the same results and it will probably be worse. Plus the kids won't learn anything and we will be in this same position 3 years from now.
We are playing defense with a scout team DL at best and that is why we are getting crushed on defense. There is no scheme that can mask our lack of game ready DL. Deal with it.