🏈 Rashaan Evans making 'razor' smooth transition to ILB this spring

[By Alex Byington Sports]

TUSCALOOSA — It didn’t take Tosh Lupoi long to realize the kind of impact Rashaan Evans could have against opposing offenses.

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[BamaFan334]

Finally going to be utilized. I'm very excited to see him get meaningful snaps this year.

 

[EasyTider]

Kid is special. Came to Bama even though he could have probably started at the Barn as a Fr. Hopefully a breakout season, an announcement to return for Sr season and then a top 10 draft pick are in his future.

 

[T&B]

Its raining first rounders in TTown. This D is gonna be so much fun to watch this year. You'd be hard pressed to find a college D that has ever been as fast as this one is going to be while still being able to shut down the run game.

 

[Tidestalker]

Last season I wasn't sure how they would plug the ILB holes, but this one move is going to change a lot. I'm expecting Evans to beat out SDH and have a really nice 3 man rotation at the ILB spots. I think they've found his permanent home and as mentioned above, probably the spot he gets drafted & paid at. Once he gets comfortable using that speed up the middle as opposed to the edge, our pass rush just get substantially more dangerous.

I've also been pleasently surprised by the look of Adonis Thomas who's enrolled early. He is thinner than our other ILB's, but that's a good thing to cover more ground. Josh McMillon on the other hand is a big thumper... Not sure how he will fit in with HUNH offenses now a days.

 

[T&B]

IDK Stalker, I'm a little worried about Adonis Thomas calf progression. He Got that chicken leg goen on right now.

 

[TerryP]

Last season I wasn't sure how they would plug the ILB holes, but this one move is going to change a lot. I'm expecting Evans to beat out SDH and have a really nice 3 man rotation at the ILB spots. I think they've found his permanent home and as mentioned above, probably the spot he gets drafted & paid at. Once he gets comfortable using that speed up the middle as opposed to the edge, our pass rush just get substantially more dangerous.

To date, when the defense is in base, SDH has manned the middle with Reuben while RE has been with the 2's (outside.) When they go to nickel, RE has moved inside (1's) and he's been sliding to 'Money' when they move to dime.

I don't see this being any different than other seasons with situational personnel.

IF USC follows their script from the last few years they'll be looking to attack the defense through the air ... should see a lot of RE in that game. LSU, Arkansas, etc.? Not so much is how it looks to be playing out.

 

[Tidestalker]

To date, when the defense is in base, SDH has manned the middle with Reuben while RE has been with the 2's (outside.) When they go to nickel, RE has moved inside (1's) and he's been sliding to 'Money' when they move to dime.

I don't see this being any different than other seasons with situational personnel.

IF USC follows their script from the last few years they'll be looking to attack the defense through the air ... should see a lot of RE in that game. LSU, Arkansas, etc.? Not so much is how it looks to be playing out.

If he's with the 1's in Nickel, then he's going to play a ton. We play that more than anything don't we?

Interesting he's going to play Money. Not shocked because of his speed. I always thought that would be a great spot for Hootie with his size and speed. Damn I hope he makes his move soon... He has that type of physical ability that only dudes like Haha & Barron had. It's all mental though

T&B - The chicken legs is what I like!!!! Need some speed dudes behind our massive DL's. Pretty sure he played DE/OLB in high school I was expecting him to start there and/or be a lot bigger. I think this will work out better for him

 

[JoshB]

If he's with the 1's in Nickel, then he's going to play a ton. We play that more than anything don't we?

Yeah but not against power teams like LSU and Arky, you'll see a lot more big packages along with the base D some to combat that power game.

 

[TerryP]

If he's with the 1's in Nickel, then he's going to play a ton. We play that more than anything don't we?

I've not ran across a 'charting' of what sets the defense lined up in for 2015, or 2014 for that matter. The last time I recall reading/seeing the percentage broken down was after the 2013 season and that year the defense was in nickel about 80% of the time.

Interesting he's going to play Money. Not shocked because of his speed. I always thought that would be a great spot for Hootie with his size and speed. Damn I hope he makes his move soon... He has that type of physical ability that only dudes like Haha & Barron had. It's all mental though

If we set aside the fancy position titles, the 'Money' is basically the same as the 'Will.' How this works out is about anyone's guess but it certainly looks promising.

There's a physical side to playing that position due to run support. We all know that. If we were to step back a few years and go by the beloved 'eye-test,' few would have said Jerrell had the physique to handle the 'Will' position. Few, until that fateful night in New Orleans when Jerrell showed off against that option attack Miles and company attempted.

On the other hand, look at a guy like CJ. He carried more weight, a little shorter in stature, but had the ability to play in regular and nickel. Can the staff get that out of Evans? Not yet, based on what's happened this spring.

(You mentioned Hootie ... reminds me a bit of Kendall Kelly in that the fan base had BIG expectations, but we never saw them come true with Kelly. Jones last chapter hasn't been written. On another note, even with Jerrell not getting the headlines a guy like Dre had his last year in Tuscaloosa, he's still in his journeyman role in the league ... he's about to start his what, sixth year in the league?)

 

[TerryP]

The 17 tackles Evans had yesterday assures us of one thing; he's earned a lot of playing time this fall inside.

Of note, Rashaan didn't get the 'start' with Foster, SDH worked with the 1's.