Questions - defense

[inWV]

The defense is much more settled than the offense. However,
1. What happened to Deontre Thomas? He's still on the scholarship chart. He played as a freshman, but does not appear to have recorded a tackle this year.
2. Who emerges as a DL guy from the young ones? Would think Hutmacher is on that list. What about Graham and Newsome?
3. At ILB, does NU roll with Honas, Reimer, Kolarevic at ILB, with Heinrich as a swing guy at ILB and OLB? Anybody else have a chance of playing much?
4. Who replaces Bootle at corner?

 

[1ManBearPig]

1. i remember Deontre getting hurt last year. I think it was his hand? Offical statement is he "battled injuries in 2020"
3. Staff loves Honas, and he seems like a guy you can trust to help put the younger guys over, probably gets the lions share

 

[Anon1727835823]

CB should be a battle between Newsome, Clark, and Joseph.

 

[Headcard]

1. Deontre is still here. He was injured on a cheap shot early last year (leg injury) and has a hand injury last year. Maybe he can get in the DE rotation with Stille, Robinson and Rodgers this year.


2. There are alot of upperclassmen on the two deep DL. I can see Hutmacher or Black getting in the rotation at NT and maybe Newsome at DE.

3. I think we will have a good IL two deep, with those 4. I personally don't like Heinrich swinging back and forth, he seems much better at ILB.

4. Good question. Will be a battle between Newsome/Clark/Joseph. Safe money is probably on Newsome, but I really liked what we saw from Clark in 2019.

 

[9and4_rivals188421]

5. Who besides CTB raises his level of play to all-conference playmaker so we can improve from a top 50 to a top 20 defense, taking even more pressure off an untested offense?

 

[1ManBearPig]

5. Who besides CTB raises his level of play to all-conference playmaker so we can improve from a top 50 to a top 20 defense, taking even more pressure off an untested offense?

Farmer

 

[oldjar07]

5. Who besides CTB raises his level of play to all-conference playmaker so we can improve from a top 50 to a top 20 defense, taking even more pressure off an untested offense?

When were we a top 50 defense?

 

[HellaBusch]

Farmer

Farmer won't be starting if Dismuke and Williams are healthy. Although I look forward to his potential in the future, for sure!

 

[1ManBearPig]

Farmer won't be starting if Dismuke and Williams are healthy. Although I look forward to his potential in the future, for sure!

We may see Farmer, depends on what they do at corner.

 

[HellaBusch]

We may see Farmer, depends on what they do at corner.

What are you trying to say, they might move him to corner?

 

[1ManBearPig]

What are you trying to say, they might move him to corner?

Time will tell, but the kid is made for it.

 

[Headcard]

When were we a top 50 defense?

2020

NCAA College Football FBS current team Stats | NCAA.com

Discover the current NCAA FBS Football leaders in every stats category, as well as historic leaders.

www.ncaa.com

 

[Headcard]

5. Who besides CTB raises his level of play to all-conference playmaker so we can improve from a top 50 to a top 20 defense, taking even more pressure off an untested offense?

JoJo, Williams and Stille are good candidates.

 

[poundth3rock]

5. Who besides CTB raises his level of play to all-conference playmaker so we can improve from a top 50 to a top 20 defense, taking even more pressure off an untested offense?

We return 9-11 starters from Rutgers game and the positions being replaced require about the least amount of development time.

Offense should hit the ground running.

 

[Headcard]

We return 9-11 starters from Rutgers game and the positions being replaced require about the least amount of development time.

Offense should hit the ground running.

Don’t we return 10 of 11? Bootle and who else?

 

[inWV]

Don’t we return 10 of 11? Bootle and who else?

Miller had the Covid year opportunity, but medically retired.

 

[inWV]

We return 9-11 starters from Rutgers game and the positions being replaced require about the least amount of development time.

Offense should hit the ground running.

It is a luxury to return 9/11 of a D that is on the verge of hitting. Might keep us in the game against OU early in the year.

 

[STUCKNKS]

Farmer

Farmer could very well get beat out. His lack of speed hurts but well see

 

[Headcard]

Miller had the Covid year opportunity, but medically retired.

Right. But he wasn’t starting against Rutgers (and Reimer is a lot better).

 

[poundth3rock]

The defense is much more settled than the offense. However,
1. What happened to Deontre Thomas? He's still on the scholarship chart. He played as a freshman, but does not appear to have recorded a tackle this year.
2. Who emerges as a DL guy from the young ones? Would think Hutmacher is on that list. What about Graham and Newsome?
3. At ILB, does NU roll with Honas, Reimer, Kolarevic at ILB, with Heinrich as a swing guy at ILB and OLB? Anybody else have a chance of playing much?
4. Who replaces Bootle at corner?

1/2. Would like to see the defense be a bit more physical against Big Ten running teams both with players and scheme. Way better then what was happening when staff got here but still room for improvement. Would love to see one of the huge dudes like a healthy Deontre and Nash be able to step in an help with that. A dominant player in the middle changes things. Overall depth is pretty good so floor is pretty high.

3. List seems reasonable based on how season ended and staff targeting Kolorevic. This is a competitive Big Ten ILB group. Is there someone in there than can continue to develop and make them good.

4. I would also guess Newsome. Secondary scares me a little bit. I like the guys we have, but the overall scholarship numbers and only having 8 DB's above freshman class is bothersome. 1-2 injuries and a couple young guys don't pan out and could be in real trouble. Hopefully we are healthy, Newsome or one of the other young guys can play and we don't miss a beat.

Overall looks like it should be solid defense that will be a bit above big ten average.

Probably need a couple of developmental suprises including a pass rusher to emerge to move up to the next level of a good big ten defense.

 

[oldjar07]

It is a luxury to return 9/11 of a D that is on the verge of hitting. Might keep us in the game against OU early in the year.

I'll be expecting it.

 

[inWV]

Right. But he wasn’t starting against Rutgers (and Reimer is a lot better).

Already injured against Ill.

 

[poundth3rock]

It is a luxury to return 9/11 of a D that is on the verge of hitting. Might keep us in the game against OU early in the year.

Offense also returns 8 of 11 that started Rutgers and put up 600 yard including QB. You also have way more high end talent vying for playing time on that side of ball so a much higher ceiling. (4 top 100 guys in Corcoran, Fidone, Martinez & Betts along with Manning) I suspect we will know pretty quickly whether this thing is going to work or not.

If we roll out with 17 returning starters including QB in a transition year and struggle or somehow lose against an illinois team replacing 4 of 5 offensive lineman (strength of team) and in coaching transition then I will no longer be optimistic.

I think it is obvious what i expect to happen but if we don't handle Illinois fairly handily, given conditions noted above, I think its an indication we are going to have a real tough time competing with that schedule.

 

[John_J_Rambo_rivals315142]

Are we seriously using Rutgers as a measuring stick?

 

[Anon1727835823]

Offense should hit the ground running.

They'll probably hit it swing passing instead

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

Are we seriously using Rutgers as a measuring stick?

Last game of the year. ha ha ha