How Does UNT Defense compare to Iowa States Defense (Size Wise)

[TheReal_jayD]

I have seen and heard a lot of people complaining about the lack of defensive (portal) recruiting. I think there are a couple of factors. One being there is ton of scholarship players at a couple of positions on the defensive side of ball. I honestly don't see the benefit of running any scholarship guys off prior to going through spring ball. Most of the guys that had a lot of playing time that are returning also have multiple years of eligibility left.  Another thing is with the Iowa State D there is a ton of flexibility and variation that we could see players playing in different positions years prior. I also would not be surprised if we truly try to build defense through HS recruiting. We have seen virtually all offers extended from North Texas on the defensive side have been HS and JUCO(2 Portal offers). That is and has been Iowa State philosophy. They have had great success with it the past few seasons. I counted 4 transfers in the last three years on the defensive side of the ball. I posted an Iowa State depth chart from last year. As well as North Texas players returning as of the posting. I try to just list the guys on scholarship. Or at least the guys I believe that could be on scholarship. 

 

DL

Returning

10           Roderick Brown                DL          6-0         275        So.         Forney, TX / North Forney HS         

5             Tom Trieb                           DL          6-3         275        So.         Arlington Heights, IL / Buffalo Grove HS              College of DuPage

9             Enoch Jackson                  DL          6-0         288        So.         Mansfield, TX / Legacy HS               Arkansas

45           Kadren Johnson                DL          6-4         265        Jr.           Lewisville, TX / Lewisville HS               Navarro College / ACU

51           Fatafehi Vailea                  DL          6-2         293        R-Fr.      Oakland, CA / Desert Pines HS         

90           Kaghen Roach                   DL          6-5         270        So.         Celina, TX / Celina HS               Blinn College

95           Kortlin Rausaw                 DL          6-4         264        R-Fr.      Wylie, TX / Wylie HS       

96           Ta'Shoyn Johnson            DL          6-1         278        R-Fr.      Killeen, TX / Killeen HS   

99           Cam Robertson                 DL          6-4         238        Fr.          Plano, TX / Plano HS       

Signees

##           Marcus Moore                  DL          6-1         295        Jr.           The Colony / Coffeyville CC

Linebackers

Returning

3             Larry Nixon III                   LB           6-2         236        Jr.           North Richland Hills, TX / Richland HS       

15           Carson Kropp                    LB           6-1         233        Jr.           Owasso, OK / Owasso HS               Oklahoma St.

19           Jordan Brown                    LB           6-1         220        So.         Huntsville, TX / Huntsville HS         

21           Kevin Wood                       LB           6-0         219        Jr.           Converse, TX / Judson HS              

36           Jaylen Smith                      LB           6-0         210        So.         Hamilton, Ontario / St. Thomas More   

40           Trent Ayers                        LB           6-1         210        So.         Arlington, TX / Colleyville Heritage HS        Navarro College

43           Jax Van Zandt                    LB           5-11       214        Fr.          Alabaster, AL / Thompson HS         

35           Chris Wright                      OLB        6-3         224        R-Fr.      Aledo, TX / Aledo HS      

42           Sifa Leota                           OLB        6-2         235        R-Fr.      Euless, TX / Trinity HS    

44           Mazin Richards                 OLB        6-3         245        Jr.           Burleson, TX / Centennial HS          Eastern New Mexico

59           Ethan Wesloski                 OLB        6-1         225        Fr.          McKinney, TX / Boyd HS

Defensive Backs

4             Dillion Williams  DB          5-11       185        So.         Nacogdoches, TX / Nacogdoches HS              

6             Loronzo Thompson          DB          6-0         170        So.         Friendswood, TX / Clear Brook HS            

8             John Davis           DB          6-1         190        Sr.          Euless, TX / Trinity HS     Texas Tech (PENDING WAIVER)

11           Patrick Smith      DB          5-10       178        Fr.          Sugar Land, TX / Clements HS     

13           Logan Wilson     DB          5-10       167        So.         Dallas, TX / Bishop Dunne HS       K-State / ULM

17           Moh Bility           DB          6-0         182        Fr.          Dallas, TX / North Dallas HS        

18           Nick Nakwaasah               DB          5-11       195        So.         Dallas, TX / Bishop Dunne HS          Central Arkansas

22           Keelan Crosby    DB          6-1         194        Jr.           Anna, TX / Anna HS        

23           Bryce Linder       DB          6-0         192        So.         College Station, TX / A&M Consolidated HS               Blinn College

26           Ridge Texada     DB          5-8         181        So.         Frisco, TX / Centennial HS               McNeese St.

27           Harold West       DB          6-2         187        So.         Arlington, TX / Lamar HS              

31           Robert Johnson DB          5-10       181        R-Fr.      Memphis, TN / Memphis Academy of Health Sciences HS

Edited January 19, 2023 by TheReal_jayD

[El Paso Eagle]

I would guess after spring ball they will look for help if needed in the next window.

[Cr1028]

Holy smokes ISU has a stout middle linebacker.

Edited January 19, 2023 by Cr1028

[UNT Texas Hooligan]

All valid points. I trust someone that came from one of the best defenses in the country. I'm sure we'll see some movement after Spring Ball. 

[El Paso Eagle]

 

 

[El Paso Eagle]

Full twitter thread on the 3-3-5

 

[jtm0097]

9 minutes ago, El Paso Eagle said:

Full twitter thread on the 3-3-5

 

After reading this thread, it sounds like our DL will be expected to take on blocks while LBs blitz. As someone else mentioned, that is why Iowa St has large interior/middle LBs. They take on blocks while the other guys run free. The scheme will be different than Phil's defense. I'm sure it will have some similar coverages/blitzes to Reffert's 3-3-5. I just hope we keep adding guys after the spring like JD mentioned.