North Texas #8 in DL Rankings (State of Texas)

Harry · July 14, 2017

North Texas had a surprisingly effective defensive line in 2016. Second year defensive coordinator Troy Reffett along with then co-coordinator Mike Ekeler took a lot of disparate parts and made them into a cohesive unit. Reffett will need to perform a similar transformation in 2017, but he has the benefit of more workable numbers this season.

Inside T.J. Tauaalo moves to nose tackle full time with Kansas State transfer Bryce English getting work as well. English was a highly productive high school player out of DeSoto, but his height caused bigger schools to back off. He's a smart player who can use leverage to reestablish the line of scrimmage. In Reffett's defense the nose guard is asked to play the 0-tech, drive the center and generally occupying blockers.

North Texas wants their defensive ends to set the outside edge and contain. Roderick Young started twelve games in 2016, eleven at nose, one at defensive end. He'll move outside to defensive. He possess ideal size against the run on the edge.

At the other defensive end Andy Flusche came out of spring as the starter. All CUSA Freshman selection LaDarius Hamilton will push for playing time as well. Tillman Johnson is going to be part of the rotation. Johnson set a freshman record two seasons ago with 5 sacks.

North Texas has options on the defensive line and a lot of guys who can play in different roles.

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BTG_Fan1 · July 14, 2017

Hopefully will be a lot better in year 2 in terms of knowledge and adjustments. Have to stop the run.

English will bring the passion to motivate and take them to the next level.

Harry · July 14, 2017

Hambone and Young on the ends and English in the middle is pretty damn salty. I wouldn't say we are deep but so have a little depth IF we stay healthy.

The problem is not the line, it is one of the better ones we have had IF English lives up to the hype.

The problem is linebacker. We lost a LOT from last year and it is not very deep. That will be the position to keep an eye out on.

MGNation92 · July 14, 2017

4 minutes ago, Harry said:

Hambone and Young on the ends and English in the middle is pretty damn salty. I wouldn't say we are deep but so have a little depth IF we stay healthy.

The problem is not the line, it is one of the better ones we have had IF English lives up to the hype.

The problem is linebacker. We lost a LOT from last year and it is not very deep. That will be the position to keep an eye out on.

I don't know Harry, we lost Finney and Scott, but Ejiya and Garner both player as well, if not better than either of them last year, plus we have Wheeler returning. I do like Minor a lot as well so we should see him a bunch.

Depth is an issue but I think starter wise we might be better off than we were last year

Harry · July 14, 2017

Just now, MGNation92 said:

I don't know Harry, we lost Finney and Scott, but Ejiya and Garner both player as well, if not better than either of them last year, plus we have Wheeler returning. I do like Minor a lot as well so we should see him a bunch.

Depth is an issue but I think starter wise we might be better off than we were last year

I don't know if there is a better player on this years team than Finney was. Scott was not spectacular but steady. I agree with Garner but I didn't see enough from Ejiya to say he is an improvement. Wheeler is a stud and that helps ease my mind. Minor has talent he just needs to be consistent.

GMG24 · July 16, 2017

On 7/14/2017 at 1:04 PM, Harry said:

I don't know if there is a better player on this years team than Finney was. Scott was not spectacular but steady. I agree with Garner but I didn't see enough from Ejiya to say he is an improvement. Wheeler is a stud and that helps ease my mind. Minor has talent he just needs to be consistent.

The 3:3 fits Scott much better as a MLB. Think he'll shock up. Garner will be a plug and play don't think you miss a beat, the other side I'm not sold on. Ejiya looks the part and so does Minor time to see if they can play. In regards to your earlier post, I like Young at the tackle not the Nose. He struggled a lot with double teams last year. Prefer to rotate TJ and English there. Let Young/Fluesche and Hambone/Johnson rotate with Ozougwu and Dillman fight like dogs to get in on passing downs.

Edited July 16, 2017 by GMG24

UNTLifer · July 16, 2017

1 hour ago, GMG24 said:

The 3:3 fits Scott much better as a MLB. Think he'll shock up. Garner will be a plug and play don't think you miss a beat, the other side I'm not sold on. Ejiya looks the part and so does Minor time to see if they can play. In regards to your earlier post, I like Young at the tackle not the Nose. He struggled a lot with double teams last year. Prefer to rotate TJ and English there. Let Young/Fluesche and Hambone/Johnson rotate with Ozougwu and Dillman fight like dogs to get in on passing downs.

Hmm, Scott graduated.

GMG24 · July 16, 2017

13 hours ago, UNTLifer said:

Hmm, Scott graduated.

Yes sir you are correct. I kept going Scott, I thought he graduated, but after watching beyond the Green I remember he limped to finish with the hernia. Quick Roster check, I'm not sure who plays middle for us, Garner, Fulp, Bishop, Lemasters. Outside guys want them to be able to really run. Ejiya, Minor, Peters, Means, Thornton maybe Garner if Fulp or Bishop can take the starting Mike job. I am interested to see I find Peters does anything. He looks like an SEC LB and I've never seen him step on the field.