Portal Needs - Defense

#1
J

jvols1999

thevolunteerclub.com
Joined
Nov 29, 2021
Messages
3,914
Likes
15,393
#1
As we wind down the 2026 recruiting class, thought it would be interesting to think about where the needs are on each side of the ball heading into the Portal season. For clarity, I'm assuming a handful of additions to the current class, which I'll notate below. Further, I am making some assumptions on guys who won't be back (i.e., will hit the portal) as well as a an assumption/guess that Arion Carter returns for his senior season

Please feel free to jump in with comments and discussion topics!

* True Freshmen

IDL
Returnees (8):
Hobbs
Campbell
Utley
Robinson
House
Wallace
Albert*
Rivers*

I'm very hopeful we sign JUCO Jaylen Thompson, who IMO would slot in as an immediate contributor in the IDL rotation. We're also deep in it to flip JJ Finch from Bama, and he's a bluechipper for sure. That said, I think we'd still want at least 1 more guy with experience who can also step in. Ideally you're slotting Thompson and Portal Guy X ahead of Wallace in the rotation above (I'm very high on House and think he makes a move in bowl practices and maybe even the game if 20/51 sit out) giving us 7 guys in the rotation BEFORE playing Wallace and the two true freshmen

Edge
Returnees (7):
Herring
Ross
Gass
Lindstrom
Okoye
Harris*
Edwards*

Projected to not return:
I don't know enough to be specific but it would surprise me at least a little if both of Lindstrom/Okoye return next season

I don't think we need to add anyone from the portal here as IMO all of the Top 3 are studs and if need be IMO Harris in particular has the frame to give you some snaps. Would love to see Gass have a great bowl practice session and get some burn in the game assuming 19 sits out.

SDE
Returnees (6):
Weathersby
Dye
Loftin
Gentle
Groves*
Golston*

Projected to not return:
Schell

I think we land Jordan Carter, who's an elite player. That said, could see adding a one-year guy here. Probably won't be able to afford a true plug and play starter stud, and at the same time I'm not sure you need to with Weathersby and especially Dye growing into bigger roles. Will be interesting to see what Loftin looks like in bowl practices in December - was great to see him get some snaps vs. NMSU after missing all of his senior season and into this season with the knee injury. I do think Groves and Golston (and Carter) could give you quality snaps in the same vein as Dye did this year if needed. Ultimately I see this as a low-level need.

LB
Returnees (9):
Telander
Carter (I think he returns with a nice NIL raise)
Spillman
Perlotte
Harmon
Burns
Anes
Rouse*
White*

Especially if Carter returns there's no need here, but even if he leaves there's a ton of talent and some great experience in this unit as well.

CB/NB
Returnees (7)
Redmond
Gibson
Poteat
Merritt
Theodore*
Anderson*
Smith*

Projected to not return:
Goree

Absolutely need depth here even if you are good with Redmond and Gibson as your starting duo. There's no NB heir apparent, either, so you in all honesty probably need 3-4 quality DBs with experience from the portal. Hoping to hear good things about Poteat and Merritt in bowl practices - they could potentially be CB 2/3 if Hood and McCoy sit the game out.

S
Returnees (8)
Farooq
Walton
Beasley
Lewis
Wyatt*
Combay*
McClain*
Thompson*

While I think Farooq and Walton can both be SEC-level Safeties as soon as next season, neither profile as game-changing high level draft picks that the likes of UGA and OSU have. This is the position above all others I think we should be targeting and committing to spend big on. Wouldn't hate a 2nd experienced portal guy either, but if you land a stud it would still be a major upgrade.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: HeadVol77, BristolVol, CobbVol and 11 others
#13
#13
jvols1999 said:
Think it’s going to be hard to find a CB definitively better than Redmond and Gibson to come in and start while also not running one of them off.
Click to expand...
We normally rotate 3 corners anyway so hopefully it wouldn't run anyone away. Hood staying would be the same thing and I wouldn't think Redmond would leave in that scenario.

For a freshman, Redmond did fine but we could find a better replacement if he were to leave imo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LaagerVol
#14
#14
And offense is not the topic but really don't need much on offense from the portal imo. I would only want a impact RB. That's it. We are solid everywhere else.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HighRockvol and LaagerVol
#15
#15
We need speed. I really do like Telander, and maybe he's playing out of position, but he's speed liability. Really good around the LOS, but if he had to do anything in space, he struggles.

Safety and star.. Musts. Would never turn down a shut down guy outside.

Need to beef up the interior of the DL. Get the depth back where it needs to be so we can get back to stopping the run with some consistency.

That and whatever we need to do to see the opponents' punter more than once or twice a game.😕
 
  • Like
Reactions: LaagerVol, NighthawkVol and Jackcrevol
#16
#16
Things we need from porthole.

QB - with running legs

Offensive Guard X's 2 - Run blocking? and a coach for them

Running back - yes.

Defensive tackles - 3
End - 2
Linebacker - 1
Safety - 2 and a coach for them
Star - 1
CB - 2-3 also a coach for them

Punt returner - 1

Kicker of FG's - 1
 
  • Like
Reactions: LittleVol
#17
#17
JT3 said:
We normally rotate 3 corners anyway so hopefully it wouldn't run anyone away. Hood staying would be the same thing and I wouldn't think Redmond would leave in that scenario.

For a freshman, Redmond did fine but we could find a better replacement if he were to leave imo.
Click to expand...
he has great potential and I doubt we will find anyone in the portal who would put him on the bench. however, it is always to have a couple of studs eager to get playing time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LaagerVol
#18
#18
There will be a couple of unexpected transfers just like we saw last off-season. Telander is one I'd keep an eye on...there is going to be so much young talent and speed behind him in that room next year. Spillman and Perlotte are already passing him up imo and who knows how quickly guys like Rouse and TJ White pick up the scheme.

I think Jordan Burns is a portal guy as well.

I'm not sure you lose anybody of significance in the secondary and on the DL because there will be so much playing time up for grabs.

I think secondary help is a must though at every position and really need to diversify the interior of the DL. Felt like we were so good in 2024 cause we had so many different skillsets we could throw at teams and this year we have primarily all pass rushers.

Outside of LB, I don't see a ton of instant impact players on defense in the 2026 class. How the staff handles the portal will massively determine our success/failure on that side of the ball next season.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: LittleVol
#19
#19
jvols1999 said:
As we wind down the 2026 recruiting class, thought it would be interesting to think about where the needs are on each side of the ball heading into the Portal season. For clarity, I'm assuming a handful of additions to the current class, which I'll notate below. Further, I am making some assumptions on guys who won't be back (i.e., will hit the portal) as well as a an assumption/guess that Arion Carter returns for his senior season

Please feel free to jump in with comments and discussion topics!

* True Freshmen

IDL
Returnees (8):
Hobbs
Campbell
Utley
Robinson
House
Wallace
Albert*
Rivers*

I'm very hopeful we sign JUCO Jaylen Thompson, who IMO would slot in as an immediate contributor in the IDL rotation. We're also deep in it to flip JJ Finch from Bama, and he's a bluechipper for sure. That said, I think we'd still want at least 1 more guy with experience who can also step in. Ideally you're slotting Thompson and Portal Guy X ahead of Wallace in the rotation above (I'm very high on House and think he makes a move in bowl practices and maybe even the game if 20/51 sit out) giving us 7 guys in the rotation BEFORE playing Wallace and the two true freshmen

Edge
Returnees (7):
Herring
Ross
Gass
Lindstrom
Okoye
Harris*
Edwards*

Projected to not return:
I don't know enough to be specific but it would surprise me at least a little if both of Lindstrom/Okoye return next season

I don't think we need to add anyone from the portal here as IMO all of the Top 3 are studs and if need be IMO Harris in particular has the frame to give you some snaps. Would love to see Gass have a great bowl practice session and get some burn in the game assuming 19 sits out.

SDE
Returnees (6):
Weathersby
Dye
Loftin
Gentle
Groves*
Golston*

Projected to not return:
Schell

I think we land Jordan Carter, who's an elite player. That said, could see adding a one-year guy here. Probably won't be able to afford a true plug and play starter stud, and at the same time I'm not sure you need to with Weathersby and especially Dye growing into bigger roles. Will be interesting to see what Loftin looks like in bowl practices in December - was great to see him get some snaps vs. NMSU after missing all of his senior season and into this season with the knee injury. I do think Groves and Golston (and Carter) could give you quality snaps in the same vein as Dye did this year if needed. Ultimately I see this as a low-level need.

LB
Returnees (9):
Telander
Carter (I think he returns with a nice NIL raise)
Spillman
Perlotte
Harmon
Burns
Anes
Rouse*
White*

Especially if Carter returns there's no need here, but even if he leaves there's a ton of talent and some great experience in this unit as well.

CB/NB
Returnees (7)
Redmond
Gibson
Poteat
Merritt
Theodore*
Anderson*
Smith*

Projected to not return:
Goree

Absolutely need depth here even if you are good with Redmond and Gibson as your starting duo. There's no NB heir apparent, either, so you in all honesty probably need 3-4 quality DBs with experience from the portal. Hoping to hear good things about Poteat and Merritt in bowl practices - they could potentially be CB 2/3 if Hood and McCoy sit the game out.

S
Returnees (8)
Farooq
Walton
Beasley
Lewis
Wyatt*
Combay*
McClain*
Thompson*

While I think Farooq and Walton can both be SEC-level Safeties as soon as next season, neither profile as game-changing high level draft picks that the likes of UGA and OSU have. This is the position above all others I think we should be targeting and committing to spend big on. Wouldn't hate a 2nd experienced portal guy either, but if you land a stud it would still be a major upgrade.
Click to expand...
I’d say:

1 DT
1 SDE
1 CB
1 NB
1 S

This staff doesn’t go overboard in the portal because they want young guys to grow, but I see those as immediate needs, some for depth purposes, some to start.

I do expect Poteat, Merritt, and Lewis to make strides at CB/NB next year, so I think we only take 1 CB and 1 NB. And Anderson or Theodore may be ready to contribute as a freshman.

I also think Walton and Farooq have high upsides, but we can’t afford not to pursue a top notch safety.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LaagerVol, jvols1999 and LittleVol
#20
#20
We need three safeties minimum via portal. Don’t care if any transfer out. Also need two dtackles, and an edge behind Herring/Ross unless you feel that Okoye is ready. I’d take a corner as well considering how well McCoy and Hood panned out.
 
#21
#21
jakez4ut said:
We need speed. I really do like Telander, and maybe he's playing out of position, but he's speed liability. Really good around the LOS, but if he had to do anything in space, he struggles.

Safety and star.. Musts. Would never turn down a shut down guy outside.

Need to beef up the interior of the DL. Get the depth back where it needs to be so we can get back to stopping the run with some consistency.

That and whatever we need to do to see the opponents' punter more than once or twice a game.😕
Click to expand...

Bullseye, so far next season we only have on the interior of the D`Line Hobbs (looks good but played about 5 starts) Campbell, Utley and House (true freshmen who have shown very little yet that gives me confidence we can rely on them in 2026).

If we cant stop the run up the middle in 2026 there will be stress on EVERY department behind it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jakez4ut
#23
#23
NighthawkVol said:
I’d say:

1 DT
1 SDE
1 CB
1 NB
1 S

This staff doesn’t go overboard in the portal because they want young guys to grow, but I see those as immediate needs, some for depth purposes, some to start.

I do expect Poteat, Merritt, and Lewis to make strides at CB/NB next year, so I think we only take 1 CB and 1 NB. And Anderson or Theodore may be ready to contribute as a freshman.

I also think Walton and Farooq have high upsides, but we can’t afford not to pursue a top notch safety.
Click to expand...
Farooq is playing good ball down the stretch.

Theodore will be in the two deep if not start.
He’s dynamic. He’s as explosive as King on offense and even better on defense.

Need two DTs form portal with or without Finch and JUCO guy
 
#24
#24
I think you are underselling how many will leave. I would anticipate at least 8-10 will transfer. Anyone not a clear starter is a potential transfer sadly in this new NIL world.
 
#25
#25
head1 said:
I think you are underselling how many will leave. I would anticipate at least 8-10 will transfer. Anyone not a clear starter is a potential transfer sadly in this new NIL world.
Click to expand...
Probably. Just hard to project who, and if it’s not a presumed starter or contributor than IMO it doesn’t impact the need from the portal.
 
New Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

Advertisement



Back
Top