Linebacker needs

#26
#26
If that happens we would still end up with Cameron Sutton, Lemond Johnson, Riyahd Jones, and probably Jahmere Irvin-Sills. That is pretty solid. It isn't like none of our safety prospects were going to start maybe crack the two deep but they wouldn't start over Randolph, and McCneil. Corner was our biggest need for this class over safety anyway.

I'm not sold on McNeil. To me, he looks slow in game action.
 
#27
#27
Justin King may end up moving back and Fugate may have to be forced to move over there also.

Justin King is most likely going to be a FB/TE. He's a special player who has the ability to really do something special here. I think he'd make a great TE option in the slot and a great FB/HB in I-Form sets. Fugate will def. stay at LB as Jones really doesn't use a FB often and when one is needed we have King. Also, look for Bynum, Sapp, and Harris to get some snaps as well. I expect LaTroy Lewis to stay at LB too. I'd say unless we land a huge LB prospect our depth will look like;

WLB: Sapp, Bynum, Lewis
MLB: AJ, Harris
SLB: Maggit, Fugate, Vereen
 
#28
#28
Jalen Reeves-Maybin may have to play Linebacker out of missing out on our numbers at that position same can be said for Marcus Ball.

These are the type athletes we need at the linebacker position IMO. Speed at LB is paramount to play big boy ball. Guys like Al Wilson, Eric Westmoreland, Raynoch Thompson...these dudes could fly. They were running backs in high school. I think these two recruits would be excellent LB's.
 
#29
#29
These are the type athletes we need at the linebacker position IMO. Speed at LB is paramount to play big boy ball. Guys like Al Wilson, Eric Westmoreland, Raynoch Thompson...these dudes could fly. They were running backs in high school. I think these two recruits would be excellent LB's.

From watching some of Maybin's films and knowing the type of guy he is, I believe he'll make a heck of a special teams/ safety player for us. Dude is special when the ball is in his hands.
 
#30
#30
I personally don't think AJ is the prototype as a run stuffing LB. Guys like Donta Hightower, Brandon Spikes, Rolando McClain, Minter(LSU), Nico Johnson, Kevin Simon, and Jerod Mayo are the type of guys I like to watch at LB. Guys that come downhill and consistently blow RBs up. No bear hugging or body slamming just coming downhill on a RB. Speed isn't as much of a problem on the edge as much as the not setting the edge on defense. Somebody has got to win up front and turn a play back inside. AJ is bad in coverage but he should never be covering slot WRs ever. I really don't think he should be in on 3rd and long a lot. Sapp should take his place IMO.
 
#31
#31
no we don't. We need wheels to get off tackle and beyond. People struggled straight at us, but killed us when they decided straight at us was difficult. We have no wheels at LB and people took advantage of us.

Wheels don't get off tackles man. Good hands and technique do. Kinda funny how we set the edge a lot better when Kiffin and crew were here. And we had Nick Reveiz at MLB.
 
#32
#32
Wheels don't get off tackles man. Good hands and technique do. Kinda funny how we set the edge a lot better when Kiffin and crew were here. And we had Nick Reveiz at MLB.

Wheels avoid getting blocked or getting blocked cleanly better than slow guys though.
 
#34
#34
The defense has needs at every level. We are thin at DT. Slow and thin at LB and secondary. But the good news/bad news is that we only have 13 commits and have room to reel in about twice that many. Need to do some work to get some quality players to fill the voids.
 
#35
#35
We...need...SPEEEEEEEEEEEEED.

I loved Herman Lathers as a VFL and a "Rudy" type of player, but he was slower than 3 Christmases, and wasn't a great tackler. We really need some guys that are much faster and can get that outside contain that's burned us so badly in the past.

So you equate Lathers as a "Rudy" type player? Funny, I don't remember Rudy making 193 career tackles and making an all SEC team during his storied one play career. Lathers was a legit star if he hadn't had so much bad luck with injuries....plus he was the heart and soul of the D and kept our guys from giving up when we were getting our butts kicked. The D sucked this year but they never once quit in any game.
 
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#36
#36
Also helps create running lanes versus a Bama or LSU type of running game. Your best LBs take on and defeat blocks consistently.

I agree but your best LB's have to be both. Even the worst LB's in the NFL have one thing in common...they are fast.
 
#37
#37
I personally don't think AJ is the prototype as a run stuffing LB. Guys like Donta Hightower, Brandon Spikes, Rolando McClain, Minter(LSU), Nico Johnson, Kevin Simon, and Jerod Mayo are the type of guys I like to watch at LB. Guys that come downhill and consistently blow RBs up. No bear hugging or body slamming just coming downhill on a RB. Speed isn't as much of a problem on the edge as much as the not setting the edge on defense. Somebody has got to win up front and turn a play back inside. AJ is bad in coverage but he should never be covering slot WRs ever. I really don't think he should be in on 3rd and long a lot. Sapp should take his place IMO.

^^^ This. :good!:
 
#39
#39
I personally don't think AJ is the prototype as a run stuffing LB. Guys like Donta Hightower, Brandon Spikes, Rolando McClain, Minter(LSU), Nico Johnson, Kevin Simon, and Jerod Mayo are the type of guys I like to watch at LB. Guys that come downhill and consistently blow RBs up. No bear hugging or body slamming just coming downhill on a RB. Speed isn't as much of a problem on the edge as much as the not setting the edge on defense. Somebody has got to win up front and turn a play back inside. AJ is bad in coverage but he should never be covering slot WRs ever. I really don't think he should be in on 3rd and long a lot. Sapp should take his place IMO.

I believe Sapp starts from day one. The dude is the best cover LB we have, and he's probably the fastest LB we have.
 
#43
#43
I think moving from a 3-4 to a 4-3 was the best move made so far this off season. Dooley was a real idiot...we didn't have anywhere close to 4 "good" linebackers to fit into a 3-4 defense.
 
#46
#46
I think McNeil is more of the traditional SS type...I think he will do really well in that role I he new D

I hope you're right. If he's in coverage against a sub 4.5 WR, we're in trouble. Hopefully Jancek actually can form a defensive game plan, and keep him out of those situations.
 

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