Defensive Tackles

GrayEagle · July 18, 2005

The inner defensive line for 2005, exclusive of walk-ons, should be:

David Adams 5-10 265

Chris Miller 6-1 270

Joseph Miller 6-5 275

Robert Peachey 6-5 270

Chase Pistole 6-3 260

Sky Pruitt 6-2 295

T.J. Raymond 6-2 310

Monty Stevenson 6-2 267

Jonathan Stewart 6-2 260

Isaac Thomas 5-11 290

Starters: C. Miller, Pruitt

Backups: Raymond, Thomas

Sleeper: Thomas

Adams is the only walkon in this group and appears to be a non-factor. J. Miller, Peachey, and Stewart are true frosh and these two positions seem deep enough that I expect them to be redshirted. Pistole is still an unknown to me. He didn't particularly distinguish himself at spring training and if he's only 260 that's a little light to try to be outmuscling 300 pounders. Stevenson, who was on the second unit at the end of spring, still seems out of place to me; I'd prefer to see him at DE. He still should get enough playing time to letter, whether he stays at 2 or falls to 3. Let's hope that this is the year that Isaac Thomas becomes dominant. I think that it will be and that he becomes a starter before year's end. 'Big Cat' Raymond can, at times, have some Brandon Kennedy plays. Other times, he can be handled. By year's end he should be consistently good. Pruitt has all of the tools to be top-notch (size, quickness, strength). Chris Miller is a little undersized but his experience overcomes a lot of that. He has the best moves/escapes of our defensive tackles IMO.

My rating for this unit would be a 5. It has the potential to be a couple of notches higher but you know the definition of potential. How good they are depends on how quickly Pruitt, Raymond and Thomas can become Division 1-A players.

Comments, additions or challenges?

NCMeanGreen · July 18, 2005

That seems to be fairly consistent with what all the pre-season mags are saying...

Thank you for the analysis...

Seminole Indian · July 18, 2005

Phil Steeles magazine, sorry it is the only one I have read, has UNT's DL rated 7th in the Belt. Only FIU was rated lower. Based on your knowledge of the players do you agree of disagree with that ranking?

I thought that was a low based strictly on the tradition UNT has for playing good D.

Travis · July 18, 2005

thomas, raymond, and pruitt will get things done at that position.

and take that to the bank!

NCMeanGreen · July 18, 2005

Phil Steeles magazine, sorry it is the only one I have read, has UNT's DL rated 7th in the Belt. Only FIU was rated lower. Based on your knowledge of the players do you agree of disagree with that ranking?
I thought that was a low based strictly on the tradition UNT has for playing good D.

Based on your 'Message Board Posting' thread...I will not be overly critical...

MeanGreen61 · July 18, 2005

Phil Steeles magazine, sorry it is the only one I have read, has UNT's DL rated 7th in the Belt. Only FIU was rated lower. Based on your knowledge of the players do you agree of disagree with that ranking?
I thought that was a low based strictly on the tradition UNT has for playing good D.

Different folks have different rankings. College Football News has our D-line at #4 in the conference & the defense at #4 overall. They rate the line as a 5.

Defensive Line

This should be a problem early on replacing the entire line that wasn't all that great at stopping the run but was great at getting to the quarterback. Getting into the backfield shouldn't be a problem with Jeremiah Chapman and Eli Hutchinson each looking like future Sun Belt stars. Tackle is a different story needing Sky Pruitt and Chris Miller to go from being decent reserves to steady starters.

Player to keep an eye on: DE Willie Ransome, Jr. ... Defensive Line rating: 5

Projected Starters

- DE Jeremiah Chapman, Soph. - 10 tackles, 2 tackles, 3 tackles for loss ... Athletic and strong, the 6-4, 245-pound Chapman saw a little bit of playing time as a reserve and looks like the new star pass rusher. He had a strong spring and needs to be strong against the run right away.

- DT Sky Pruitt, Jr. - At 6-2 and 295 pounds, Pruitt has to be a rock in the middle in a full-time role. He's strong and tough against the run, but he needs experience and has to prove he can handle the heavier workload

- NT Chris Miller, Sr. - 11 tackles ... The 270-pound senior had a good reserve year and needs to be an anchor after being groomed for the spot over the last two years. He's athletic and should shine now that he gets his chance for the starting gig.

- DE Eli Hutchinson, Sr. - 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss ... The former JUCO all-star is the most experienced returning player to the new line. He's a rangy 6-4 and 240 pounds with good quickness.

Top Backups

- DE Blake Burruss, Soph. - 2 tackles ... Burruss got a little bit of mopup time against Texas and will need to be a valuable reserve behind Eli Hutchinson. At 6-7 and 252 pounds, he's an interesting prospect with room on his frame to get even bigger.

- DT Montey Stevenson, Soph. - 11 tackles, 2 tackles for loss ... A valuable reserve, the 267-pound Stevenson is a quick tackle who'll be asked to get into the backfield on a regular basis behind Sky Pruitt.

- DE William Ransome, Jr. - The star JUCO transfer will be given every opportunity to take over one of the starting end jobs. He was a top pass rusher at Coffeyville CC and was strong at coming up with big plays.

Seminole Indian · July 18, 2005

Based on your 'Message Board Posting' thread...I will not be overly critical...

Thanks, I appreciate that!!

risinggreen · July 19, 2005

Although the previous posts (IMO) are pretty much on the mark, I definitely believe that Chris Miller is underrated. Maybe he's a bit undersized, but I bet that he proves to be a force in the middle this season.

SilverEagle · July 19, 2005

Was Rahagene Cherry (6'2"X 310lbs) not invited back this fall. I thought he did pretty well in the spring. I believe he's originally from Plano and transferred from Abilene Christian. He seems like a player who could, for the most part, keep the middle clogged up.

GrayEagle · July 19, 2005

Was Rahagene Cherry (6'2"X 310lbs) not invited back this fall. I thought he did pretty well in the spring. I believe he's originally from Plano and transferred from Abilene Christian. He seems like a player who could, for the most part, keep the middle clogged up.

Yep, he did turn a few heads during spring drills but he's not listed on the roster on the website. Curiously though, his number (#71) has not been assigned as yet. Maybe the door is still open to him but he hasn't affirmed that he'll walk in. Could be that he won't show without the guarantee of a scholarship.

mad dog · July 20, 2005

I liked the LB report you did, Gray, so I decided to go back and comment on this.

First off, the two most dynamic guys this spring were T.J. Raymond and Isaac Thomas. These two clogged the middle and collapsed the line with regularity. I know Pruitt and Miller are penciled in at starter, but I expect this battle to be wide open entering two a days. From what I saw, Pruitt and Miller were steady presences, but not nearly as flashy as Raymond and Thomas. But, really, I'd be happy with any combination of those four. A four way rotation to keep everyone fresh sounds really appealing.

For the life of me, I can't understand why Pistole is at tackle. He seems so much like a great strong side DE physically, and I'd love to see him battle it out with Chapman at that spot.

GrayEagle · July 20, 2005

I couldn't agree with you more about Pistole. I can only assume that he was put inside because of his speed. But, if he was terribly slow he shouldn't have been recruited at all.

I don't think that he could beat out Chapman but he might give Burruss a real tussle for playing time. If, indeed, he only weighs 260 he should have an easier time battling tight ends on the strongside than 300 pounders in the middle.