📝 Depth on the defensive line going into spring camp (split from recruiting updates)

[TerryP]

Mark him off the wish list/B list/if we can't get him then lets take him list

It's more of a "wasn't on a list." If a practical reason is needed there never was room within the scholarship cap number. Another reason is the depth that's there already. There's no doubt he'd 'shirt if he were to sign. Setting that aside, he's coming in to a line that looks to be Ray, Barmore, Alfano, and Young (committed, unsigned.)

I'm seeing the last signees being one defensive guy for sure (whom I believe to be Young.) Nothing would suprise me with Sopsher. It's another LSU story with their staff making a strong, albeit a bit late, pitch. I love Pickering visiting, but what's been said, read, or seen that gives any indication he's headed anywhere but Starkville?

We're seeing a lot of headlines about Florida State--does that affect a guy like Fuller?

FWIW, I'd think a guy like Sorrells is higher on the staff's board Harrison-Hunte.

No matter what, this is a really good defensive line depth year for the fall...adding to it is just icing on the ol' cake.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Mark him off the wish list/B list/if we can't get him then lets take him list

It's more of a "wasn't on a list." If a practical reason is needed there never was room within the scholarship cap number. Another reason is the depth that's there already. There's no doubt he'd 'shirt if he were to sign. Setting that aside, he's coming in to a line that looks to be Ray, Barmore, Alfano, and Young (committed, unsigned.)

I'm seeing the last signees being one defensive guy for sure (whom I believe to be Young.) Nothing would suprise me with Sopsher. It's another LSU story with their staff making a strong, albeit a bit late, pitch. I love Pickering visiting, but what's been said, read, or seen that gives any indication he's headed anywhere but Starkville?

We're seeing a lot of headlines about Florida State--does that affect a guy like Fuller?

FWIW, I'd think a guy like Sorrells is higher on the staff's board Harrison-Hunte.

No matter what, this is a really good defensive line depth year for the fall...adding to it is just icing on the ol' cake.

I think what we say in the last two Bama games was anything but good depth on the defense period. Ovah at my house their is redlights flashing as far as the defense for the 2019 version of The King. Even the starters we have returning are suspect.

33 99 89 32 15 2.....is there anybody in that group that you consider a great player? I see a bunch of just good players and not one great player.

 

[TerryP]

I think what we say in the last two Bama games was anything but good depth on the defense period. Ovah at my house their is redlights flashing as far as the defense for the 2019 version of The King. Even the starters we have returning are suspect.

We're specifically discussing the defensive line here.

In the incoming class, there's a total of eight--to date. There's another six on the line right now.

Ray, Mathis, Davis, Barmore, Musika, Wynn, Alfono, Dale, Egoigbe, Ingraham...when we start adding guys that can play an end (versus the DT/E in the 3-4) we could add Harris, Mwikuta, and Bogle perhaps.

I'm seeing one more sure, and a possibility of two more along the line...a good 10-12 man rotation.

33 99 89 32 15 2.....is there anybody in that group that you consider a great player? I see a bunch of just good players and not one great player.

The same was said last season and the line ended up being one of the better performing units on the team. From what I've learned we're looking at several who have made a lot of progress over the last season.

Here's the point I keep in mind. If you're not on the correct page when fall camp begins you're not going to get in the rotation the majority of the time unless something--like and injury--changes the dynamics. If you recall, when DH was injured they pulled LB's shirt.

That is a lot of potential, sprinkled in with some proven talent, going into spring camp.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

I think what we say in the last two Bama games was anything but good depth on the defense period. Ovah at my house their is redlights flashing as far as the defense for the 2019 version of The King. Even the starters we have returning are suspect.

We're specifically discussing the defensive line here.

In the incoming class, there's a total of eight--to date. There's another six on the line right now.

Ray, Mathis, Davis, Barmore, Musika, Wynn, Alfono, Dale, Egoigbe, Ingraham...when we start adding guys that can play an end (versus the DT/E in the 3-4) we could add Harris, Mwikuta, and Bogle perhaps.

I'm seeing one more sure, and a possibility of two more along the line...a good 10-12 man rotation.

33 99 89 32 15 2.....is there anybody in that group that you consider a great player? I see a bunch of just good players and not one great player.

The same was said last season and the line ended up being one of the better performing units on the team. From what I've learned we're looking at several who have made a lot of progress over the last season.

Here's the point I keep in mind. If you're not on the correct page when fall camp begins you're not going to get in the rotation the majority of the time unless something--like and injury--changes the dynamics. If you recall, when DH was injured they pulled LB's shirt.

That is a lot of potential, sprinkled in with some proven talent, going into spring camp.

Potential means they ain't worth a shite yet

 

[colbyjacks]

Pretty bold words there. Don’t be so Chicken little. Quinnen Williams had a lot of potential going into last year. It worked out just fine.

 

[EasyTider]

I realize some may be concerned that he’s made of glass at this point, but 24 is most certainly special. Chris Allen will also be a difference maker and with the recruiting and playing time for new secondary, we’ll have to be much improved in backend?

Don’t bury us just yet.

 

[mando]

I think the Defense will be better this year. Mainly due to getting really good injured players back (Lewis, Allan and Diggs mainly) and I think the secondary will be better since we have some experience coming back and not having to replace the whole secondary.

D-Line development and depth will be key for sure.

 

[footballer]

What is the difference in having potential and not playing and having potential and playing? All our players on the roster have potential, else they would not be here.

 

[TerryP]

Potential means they ain't worth a shite yet

As is the case going into spring camp each season. What's interesting to me is you've voiced concerns over the number of early entrants to the draft in 2020 which would consist of the very same group of guys I'm pointing to for this spring.

Just for reference sake (and because I want to play with the table options here for a minute because they'll soon be changing; )

Defensive End	Nose Tackle	Defensive Tackle/End
Raekwon Davis	Phidarion Mathis	Labryan Ray
Stephon Wynn	Tevita Musika	Christian Barmore
Antonio Alfano	DJ Dale	Justin Eboigbe
Braylan Ingraham		Byron Young*

There's one slot there that's not a must, but it's certainly one looking to be addressed--that last NT position. There's a depth situation where a guy like Sopsher would fit perfectly. Pickering could work there as well and with one of those two that's a good looking group. *Young is the only one that's not signed.

Now, in terms of potential, I'm seeing guys that either played or were to the point they would have been used if needed. If Wynn hadn't been hurt he's a guy we would have seen this season. Barmore shirted but could have played.

Here's one of those #Bamaproblems. When you're a guy like Mathis you're living under the shadow of Quinnen Williams. How do you compare much less get much notice?

It's a better situation today than it was going into the spring of 2018 when we're looking at a pool of eleven guys there and last year we were looking at eight.

 

[TerryP]

Pickering could work there as well and with one of those two that's a good looking group.

Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting he's a nose tackle. Although, seeing a guy like Ingraham moving inside looks promising.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Bama is really going to need some of these new folks to come play and play well at many many positions for 2019. That has to happen.

Nick needs to wrap #24 in bubble wrap until the week before LSU just so we can have him play the last 6-7 games.

 

[UAgrad93]

Sopsher likely would be that 4th guy in the NT slot, him or Pickering. Either one will be a good fit. @JoseyWalesTheOutlaw , a healthy year from Lewis and Allen, combined with another solid year with Jennings, this defense could be really fun to watch. Throw in a year of growth from Anoma and Latu, along with a couple of the young edge guys that we signed and this could be a special unit.
In the snaps that Mathis got this past fall, I was impressed. I think the addition of Baker to the staff will help as well. We will see more of a rotation than what we saw in the past.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Sopsher likely would be that 4th guy in the NT slot, him or Pickering. Either one will be a good fit. @JoseyWalesTheOutlaw , a healthy year from Lewis and Allen, combined with another solid year with Jennings, this defense could be really fun to watch. Throw in a year of growth from Anoma and Latu, along with a couple of the young edge guys that we signed and this could be a special unit.
In the snaps that Mathis got this past fall, I was impressed. I think the addition of Baker to the staff will help as well. We will see more of a rotation than what we saw in the past.

That's the thing. Guys will step up that will come completely out of the blue. It's just their time to grow.

 

[Tidestalker]

I have little to no confidence that Musika will be in the rotation... 1st because I was never very impressed with his athleticism and 2nd because the wide run stuffing DT's are basically out of style against the offenses we see. Hopefully DJ Dale can adapt quickly.

 

[colbyjacks]

Yeah I think Musika was a desperation attempt at some depth along the DL. I don't see him as a contributor.

 

[jdpas29]

Looks like a similar lack of experienced depth on the line and also linebacker situation to 2018. I hope Bama can keep up the offensive points.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Sopsher likely would be that 4th guy in the NT slot, him or Pickering. Either one will be a good fit. @JoseyWalesTheOutlaw , a healthy year from Lewis and Allen, combined with another solid year with Jennings, this defense could be really fun to watch. Throw in a year of growth from Anoma and Latu, along with a couple of the young edge guys that we signed and this could be a special unit.
In the snaps that Mathis got this past fall, I was impressed. I think the addition of Baker to the staff will help as well. We will see more of a rotation than what we saw in the past.

My point is these young folks are going to have to come thru this year in order for Bama to have a good defense. They're not a luxury but are required for this season unlike some seasons in the past. These early to the NFL guys are great for recruiting posters but not so great for on the field defense. #33 was a dayum good player for Bama in 2018 but he didn't get much rest toward the end much like #49. I believe that OU took more out of our defense than we really understand. Our guys looked to be playing in slow motion vs the Fighting Dabo's.

 

[Tidestalker]

Sopsher likely would be that 4th guy in the NT slot, him or Pickering. Either one will be a good fit. @JoseyWalesTheOutlaw , a healthy year from Lewis and Allen, combined with another solid year with Jennings, this defense could be really fun to watch. Throw in a year of growth from Anoma and Latu, along with a couple of the young edge guys that we signed and this could be a special unit.
In the snaps that Mathis got this past fall, I was impressed. I think the addition of Baker to the staff will help as well. We will see more of a rotation than what we saw in the past.

My point is these young folks are going to have to come thru this year in order for Bama to have a good defense. They're not a luxury but are required for this season unlike some seasons in the past. These early to the NFL guys are great for recruiting posters but not so great for on the field defense. #33 was a dayum good player for Bama in 2018 but he didn't get much rest toward the end much like #49. I believe that OU took more out of our defense than we really understand. Our guys looked to be playing in slow motion vs the Fighting Dabo's.

Yes there was no rotation to speak of.... Bugs, Q, and Davis were it for better or worse. The gas tank hit empty vs Clempson for sure

 

[mando]

Yes there was no rotation to speak of.... Bugs, Q, and Davis were it for better or worse. The gas tank hit empty vs Clempson for sur

I have not analyzed number of snaps for people so this is speculative but it appeared that during the games against better teams there was not as much rotation. If this is true wouldn't it point to the coaches not having confidence in the backups in those situations?

If true and for whatever the reason, for those players that did not play much it is up to the coaches to fix those issues during the off season. Pretty sure Cochran is at work doing just that.

 

[94 Grad]

The "uncertainty" issue is a yearly debate for us and won't be changing anytime soon for a few reason:

1. We have 4 and 5 star kids everywhere on the roster. Unless a kid is truly OUTSTANDING, the odds of meaningful playing time his FR year is small.
2. We have 4 and 5 star kids everywhere on the roster. Unless they get injured, they leave after 3 years for the draft.
3. We have 4 and 5 star kids everywhere on the roster. When they leave, it's always a big hole to fill... with a kid that typically has limited playing time.
4. See Item 1.

It is what it is. We've seen the same thing over and over and over and over again. This is not new. I don't know why so many people get so "half empty glass" attitudes about it. If anything, the record of production we've seen year over year should leave you with a "half full glass" attitude.