State Of The Squad By Position - D Es

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

When you lose one of your all-time best defensive ends you would expect a drop in strength at that position but it appears that overall loss at that position will be minimal.

Here is the roster:

Ryan Davenport 6-2 228 SR Played in 11 games last year

Eddrick Gilmore 6-5 240 JR Played in 9 games last year

Alonzo Horton 6-4 260 JR

Charlie Brown 6-4 245 JR Played in 4 games last year

Sam Owusu-Hemeng 6-1 230 SO Played in 11 games last year

Marquis Sykes 6-3 253 SO Played in 3 games last year

Kail Krider 6-3 245 SO Played in 8 games last year

Nick Russo 6-3 245 FR Redshirt last year

Joe Hawthorne 6-4 250 FR

Davenport, Owusu-Hemeng and Krider have lettered primarily playing on special teams but with the influx of speed coming this fall, each could be pressed to see much time on the field. Eddrick Gilmore eventually won a starting role last year and became a force, which didn't allow the opposition to run away from Chapman (as they were doing earlier). As good as Chapman was, Alonzo Horton may be better. He was signed by Auburn and played as a true freshman. He was also good enough to be offered by Ole Miss but elected not to go there after the coaching change was announced. He is larger than Chapman and just as fast. If he wants to play, and academics are no problem, both he and Gilmore should be two of the best in the Belt. They will likely be backed up by Brown and Owusu-Hemeng. Brown should be recovered from his injury and hopefully has mastered his new position. Owusu-Hemeng started by playing on special teams but got into several games at defensive end. He's a little undersized but looks to be a comer. Behind them I'd expect to see Sykes and Russo. Russo could have enough talent to move up a unit. Gilmore, Horton, Brown, Owusu-Hemeng, Sykes and Russo should give the defensive ends one of the stronger three-deep positions on the team. Hawthorne should redshirt this year.

Edited February 25, 2008 by GrayEagleOne

[UNTLifer]

Good assessment. I, too, am excited about the potential of this group. BTW, it is Kyle Russo.

[Mean Green 93-98]

Good rundown. It's Kyle Russo, however, not Nick.

Edit: Looks like Lifer was posting while I was typing.

Edited February 25, 2008 by Mean Green 93-98

[UNT Mean Green]

Gilmore and Horton should provide one of the best Defensive End tandems in the league. Maybe reminiscent of the ones Middle Tennessee had the last couple of years, or dating back to the Demarcus Ware/Osi Umenyiora days at Troy. Those guys can really be game changers on the defensive side of the ball (i.e. Florida vs. Ohio State, 2007 BCS Championship).

Coach Dodge speaks highly of Sam Owusu-Heming as well.

[Mad Hatter]

What about Draylon Ross?

[Mean Green 93-98]

What about Draylon Ross?

I wouldn't be surprised if he sees decent playing time at DT.

[PHSCoach]

What about Draylon Ross?

Not with team at present time

[UNTLifer]

Not with team at present time

Why? Grades? If so, what are the chances he makes it back this fall?

[GreenBat]

Not with team at present time

Source?

[mad dog]

Source?

i think the source is solid...

[UNTLifer]

i think the source is solid...

He's listed on the spring roster, but Owusu-Hemeng and Charlie Brown are not.