UT Linebackers & DBs

[dtrain87]

Roach drop 20 lbs and move to inside with Wheeler
Jefferson move to natural outside pass rusher position
Hager stay at OLB, just add weight in off-season

UT has talent at OLB and DT, but have kids playing out of their natural positions, like Roach and Jefferson. These guys need to recruit some legit DEs and ILB/MLB types. Roster stacked with OLB/pass rusher types, no stop the run and drop into coverage types save for Wheeler.

DBs are uber talented, just need to be coached up. LBs are 3-4 types on outside, but not 4-3 OLB types that can run and cover, IMO. DEs not recruited for even or odd front because none exist on roster.

 

[4MNChampsHorn]

Roach drop 20 lbs and move to inside with Wheeler
Jefferson move to natural outside pass rusher position
Hager stay at OLB, just add weight in off-season

UT has talent at OLB and DT, but have kids playing out of their natural positions, like Roach and Jefferson. These guys need to recruit some legit DEs and ILB/MLB types. Roster stacked with OLB/pass rusher types, no stop the run and drop into coverage types save for Wheeler.

DBs are uber talented, just need to be coached up.

We should have:

2014 Texas DE signees McMillon (3 star, 6-3, 240) and Roberson (4 star, 6-3, 225)

2015 Texas DE signees Vasser (3 star, 6-4, 265) and Omenihu (4 star, 6-4, 227)

2016 Texas DE signees Fitzgerald (3 star, 6-4, 244) and Roach (4 star, 6-4, 255)

 

[4MNChampsHorn]

We also should have:

2014 Texas LB signees Beck (3 star 6-3, 230) and Hampton (3 star, 6-0, 201)

2015 Texas LB signees Wheeler (4 star, 6-2, 216), Jefferson (5 star, 6-2, 218), Hager (2 star, 6-3, 210), and Townsend (3 star, 6-1, 206)

2016 Texas LB signees Fowler (5 star, 6-3, 235), McCulloch (4 star, 6-2, 235), and Boyd (4 star, 6-0, 223)

 

[4MNChampsHorn]

Roach drop 20 lbs and move to inside with Wheeler
Jefferson move to natural outside pass rusher position
Hager stay at OLB, just add weight in off-season

UT has talent at OLB and DT, but have kids playing out of their natural positions, like Roach and Jefferson. These guys need to recruit some legit DEs and ILB/MLB types. Roster stacked with OLB/pass rusher types, no stop the run and drop into coverage types save for Wheeler.

DBs are uber talented, just need to be coached up. LBs are 3-4 types on outside, but not 4-3 OLB types that can run and cover, IMO. DEs not recruited for even or odd front because none exist on roster.

I think Strong is running a 3-4 or 3-3-5 when we have plenty of DTs and DEs to run a 4-3. He is forcing them to play out of position by the design of his defense.

 

[4MNChampsHorn]

We should have:

2014 DT signees Nelson (3 star, 6-3, 280) and Ford (3 star, 6-1, 288)

2015 DT signee Lampkin (3 star, 6-3, 306)

2016 DT signees Elliott (3 star, 6-5, 300), Daniels (4 star, 6-3, 301), Christmas-Giles (4 star, 6-4, 290), Wilbon (3 star, 6-3, 305), and Southall (3 star, 6-3, 270)

 

[4MNChampsHorn]

I listed 2014-16, because these should be "Strong's guys." However, I do not know how many are longer with the Texas program.

 

[bubba2023]

I wouldn't call 2014 Strong's class. Those guys all committed to Mack save Ford and Nelson who Strong brought over from Louisville.

Looking back that 2015 DL haul was very poor.

 

[4MNChampsHorn]

I wouldn't call 2014 Strong's class. Those guys all committed to Mack save Ford and Nelson who Strong brought over from Louisville.

Looking back that 2015 DL haul was very poor.

I agree that Strong didn't recruit all of them from the start. But, he held the class together. Additionally, Strong arrived and his leadership style ("change the culture," instead of build a better or improve the culture) divided the existing players on campus from the in-coming classes (14-16). However, Strong should have juniors, sophomores, and freshman that have bought into his leadership style. They (defensive players) have only known Strong's style of college football.

 

[4MNChampsHorn]

We must have red shirted a lot of players. That is one reason it appears we are so young.

2014 DB signees Freeman (4 star, 6-1, 215), Hall (3 star, 6-2, 190), Bonney (3 star, 6-1, 183) and Roberts (3 star, 5-9, 170)

Freeman, Hall, and Bonney are listed on the 2-deep against Iowa State. Freeman and Bonney are listed as sophomores and Hall is listed as a junior.

Why is Freeman starting at Sam Linebacker?

 

[4MNChampsHorn]

DT Nelson redshirted, therefore is listed as a sophomore next to the junior Ford (both 2014 recruiting class).

 

[dtrain87]

Vasser is a JUCO bust that has switched to TE. UT/Strong has not recruited well at DE. Roberson from SA is also a bust. UT has 3-4 OLB types, but doesn't have the ILB types. They lack ILB/MLB types just like they lack DEs. They are trying to turn OLBs into ILBs. OLBs in a 4-3 are more like big safeties and UT don't even have them. They have a bunch of 3-4 OLBs/SHORT DEs, some stubby DTs. Their front seven personnel are out of whack and one reason they can't stop the run. Wheeler is only legit ILB/MLB recruited.

 

[ekal48]

I think the DL needs to step up. The team that controls the line of scrimmage usually wins the game.

Ford is a good player but other than that I don't see a whole lot. Get more pressure on the QB, and the coverage guys look a lot better. Not saying the DB's and LB's are playing good, but this is a team game and it begins on the line of scrimmage.