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- Oct 21, 2011
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If a few things fall in place, this is what we could look like in 2014:
#1 Priority
We're going to need 2 DTs to step up next to Pierre to make it happen. That's the bottom line. Go get one from JuCo next year if we can't get a recruit this year who'll be an impact player or develop one during the 2013 season.
I think this would be our best unit:
WLB Denzel Perryman (Senior)/Jermaine Grace (RS Frosh or Sophomore)
MLB Raphael Kirby (Junior)/Jawand Blue (RS Sophomore)
SSLB Matthew Thomas (Sophomore)/Eddie Johnson (RS Junior)
That's a disgusting two deep and it has all types of players: rush guys, coverage guys, thumpers, etc. We're assuming we get Matthew Thomas here. If he doesn't beat our Eddie Johnson, then Eddie really evolved as a player and something went wrong with Thomas. Or, it just means we moved to a legitimate hybrid system where they both play. Or, Eddie got moved to MLB. Or, Eddie got booted from school.
Behind those guys, is this unit:
CB Tracy Howard (Junior)/Antonio Crawford (Junior)
FS Deon Bush (Junior)/Burns (Sophomore - still think he plays corner, though)
SS Rayshawn Jenkins (Junior)/Jamal Carter (RS Freshman or Sophomore)
CB Ladarius Gunter (Senior)/Nate Dortch (RS Sophomore)
I'm not even really pushing anything unrealistic here. I actually think Burns is a potential superstar corner here that takes Gunter's spot, but this was more straightforward.
Finally, the most important factor:
DE Tyriq Mccord (Junior)/Tim Williams (RS Freshman) or Gabe Terry (RS Sophomore - gets a redshirt next year)
DT Olsen Pierre (Senior)/Jelani Hamilton (Junior)
DT Keith Bryant (Sophomore)/Dequan Ivery (Junior)
DE Anthony Chickillo (Senior)/Alquadin Muhammad (Sophomore)
I'm assuming Tim Williams AND AQM. I have no idea if we'll get one, much less both. If AQM signs here, I think he could push someone either way. Even if we don't sign Williams, there are guys like Hoilett and Terry who could fill in a role behind Mccord. The key is obviously, once again, whether or not we find some legitimate plugs at DT. I've assumed Hamilton will slide inside, though many don't think he has the necessary frame for it. If he doesn't, we could actually have AQM behind Mccord and Hamilton as a stack end behind Chickillo.
In either case, the point is that we need to find 2-3 DTs to develop next to Pierre. And, we need to see Pierre take that next step. Personally, I've said he could be a 1st team All-ACC guy and, maybe, has an outside chance as an All-American as a senior. Am I reaching? I don't know. I think he's perfect for what Golden and D'onofrio want to do, regardless of how it looks in the statistical categories.
Here's what stands out:
/If a halfway competent QB can hold the steering wheel of an offense led by Duke Johnson and his Immortals (Alex Collins, hopefully, Sony, maybe, and Dalvin Cook)...
#1 Priority
We're going to need 2 DTs to step up next to Pierre to make it happen. That's the bottom line. Go get one from JuCo next year if we can't get a recruit this year who'll be an impact player or develop one during the 2013 season.
I think this would be our best unit:
WLB Denzel Perryman (Senior)/Jermaine Grace (RS Frosh or Sophomore)
MLB Raphael Kirby (Junior)/Jawand Blue (RS Sophomore)
SSLB Matthew Thomas (Sophomore)/Eddie Johnson (RS Junior)
That's a disgusting two deep and it has all types of players: rush guys, coverage guys, thumpers, etc. We're assuming we get Matthew Thomas here. If he doesn't beat our Eddie Johnson, then Eddie really evolved as a player and something went wrong with Thomas. Or, it just means we moved to a legitimate hybrid system where they both play. Or, Eddie got moved to MLB. Or, Eddie got booted from school.
Behind those guys, is this unit:
CB Tracy Howard (Junior)/Antonio Crawford (Junior)
FS Deon Bush (Junior)/Burns (Sophomore - still think he plays corner, though)
SS Rayshawn Jenkins (Junior)/Jamal Carter (RS Freshman or Sophomore)
CB Ladarius Gunter (Senior)/Nate Dortch (RS Sophomore)
I'm not even really pushing anything unrealistic here. I actually think Burns is a potential superstar corner here that takes Gunter's spot, but this was more straightforward.
Finally, the most important factor:
DE Tyriq Mccord (Junior)/Tim Williams (RS Freshman) or Gabe Terry (RS Sophomore - gets a redshirt next year)
DT Olsen Pierre (Senior)/Jelani Hamilton (Junior)
DT Keith Bryant (Sophomore)/Dequan Ivery (Junior)
DE Anthony Chickillo (Senior)/Alquadin Muhammad (Sophomore)
I'm assuming Tim Williams AND AQM. I have no idea if we'll get one, much less both. If AQM signs here, I think he could push someone either way. Even if we don't sign Williams, there are guys like Hoilett and Terry who could fill in a role behind Mccord. The key is obviously, once again, whether or not we find some legitimate plugs at DT. I've assumed Hamilton will slide inside, though many don't think he has the necessary frame for it. If he doesn't, we could actually have AQM behind Mccord and Hamilton as a stack end behind Chickillo.
In either case, the point is that we need to find 2-3 DTs to develop next to Pierre. And, we need to see Pierre take that next step. Personally, I've said he could be a 1st team All-ACC guy and, maybe, has an outside chance as an All-American as a senior. Am I reaching? I don't know. I think he's perfect for what Golden and D'onofrio want to do, regardless of how it looks in the statistical categories.
Here's what stands out:
As a group in 2014, that defense could have something like 150+ combined starts, 9 upperclassmen, and 4 All-American candidates.
/If a halfway competent QB can hold the steering wheel of an offense led by Duke Johnson and his Immortals (Alex Collins, hopefully, Sony, maybe, and Dalvin Cook)...
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