Bleacher Report's Top DEs Heading Into Spring Practice

[sjt18]

In before Garret's #s are all against weak competition.

They were for the most part.

Here are the numbers vs the SEC:

cfbstats.com - 2014 Southeastern Conference Player Leaders

Garrett was actually 17th in the SEC vs the SEC in sacks and did not register in the top 50 in tackles for loss or tackles.

Barnett was actually 20th in the SEC in tackles vs the SEC... which was tops for ALL DL's in the conference. Without the 8 combined sacks Garrett had against Lamar, Rice, and ULM... no one would have been talking about him.

 

[VOLinNC]

Nobody mentions Corey Vereen but I look for him to have a really good year. When Swain talks about a player working hard and "living football" Vereen is always his first example.

 

[VOLorNuttin]

I'm surprised they would rank Barnett so high and completely leave Maggit of the list, as well. I believe Maggit had one more sack than Barnett did, at 11. Both Shane Ray and Dante Fowler are projected Top 5-10 picks in this draft. And both of those guys had much fewer sacks than Maggit.

Imagine their numbers once K-Mac and BIG Charles Mosley start collapsing the pocket up the middle. With the QB not having room to step up in the pocket to avoid the rush, the DE's numbers should be ridiculous next season.

 

[agent|orange]

To the chucklehead(s) trying to defend his/their mancrush on Garrett:

Of Garrett's sack total, 8 were against extremely poor competition. Not a well-known team that happens to have a weak OL... just outright %*&@ competition. Lamar (2), Rice (2.5), La-Monroe (3.5). You're going to hang your hat on that?

Barnett, as we all know, got 10 total sacks this year... all were against SEC competition. Barnett and Garrett even played the same team (South Carolina, Ole Miss, Mizzou, Alabama). Garrett's combined numbers were 7 tackles, 5 solo and 2 sacks. Barnett racked up 28 tackles, 18 solo and 6 sacks.

So overall, on paper, it's no contest. The only reason it's a contest is due to people drooling over Garrett's 5* and shirtless heart-throb status.

Make Garrett a 4* and he's not on this list. Period.

 

[bornbleddinorange]

Khalil needs to be ready to go and play right next to Barnett.

 

[Remy]

This group will make a lot of headlines in the future..

True and this group will see a lot of screens and draws. UGA do screens as well as anybody as does Bammer. However that little inside counter/veer will get Chubbs head taken off this year. I expect both our RBs to outrush Chubbs this year in our game with them. I want to see Bammer's RBs and KMac meet in the middle this year, going to be a lot of fun to see.

 

[Titan&Volfan4life]

True and this group will see a lot of screens and draws. UGA do screens as well as anybody as does Bammer. However that little inside counter/veer will get Chubbs head taken off this year. I expect both our RBs to outrush Chubbs this year in our game with them. I want to see Bammer's RBs and KMac meet in the middle this year, going to be a lot of fun to see.

Our Big Orange Bonecrunchers are going to make a lot of RB's look bad this season.

I think the other teams RB's and QB's better find a way for them to wear extra padding, LOL!

#BrickbyBrick...VFL...GBO!!!

 

[chandler bing]

I do like all the new D line men coming in,but I don't put a whole lot of stock into them being great players there first year in the SEC ,it usually tales a couple of years on the D line,for them to improve to SEC caliber of play,hopefully one or two of em will step up there first year,but who knows

I'm sure a few may be red shirted,hopefully the Vols can do that

Not sure if i get this statement. Aren't Barnett anf Garrett the subjects of this article true freshman on the D-Line? Wasn't Owen Williams a first year player in the SEC? This isn't the 80's and 90's mate. Kids today are bigger, stronger and much more physically prepared now.

The only thing that separates the great ones from the good young players is the ability to adapt quickly to college, deal with the distractions, and taking care of your body. The ones with the mental capability and maturity of an older person are the guys that can come in as True Freshman and play at a high level.

What Barnett did is unheard of, but you are living in a land of negativity if you don't think that Mckenzie, Tuttle, and Kyle Phillips won't be making some impact for this team.

Also add another year of S&C for Obrien, Williams, Vickers, Mixon, Lewis, Vereen and Weatherd...to go along with Barnett and Maggitt....our DL is easily top 3 in the nation.

 

[Vol_is_Lyfe18]

Forget the sack numbers, he was TERRIBLE against the run last year. Did you see the LSU game when Lael Collins was driving him 10 yards back on every run play?

Barnett is a much better OVERALL defensive end than Garrett.

Sorry, I was just looking at threads I've started, and ran across this freakin gem!

Thoughts a little different now, D4H?