2014 Outlook: Defensive Line

[GrayEagle]

Defensive Line

Coach: Kevin Patrick

Losses: Abbe, Bellazin, Boutwell, McCoy

Returning: Brown, Dilonga, Flusche, Haboul, Lincoln, Mason, Moore, Orr, Polk, Roberts, Wallace, Watson

Gains: T Johnson, Tauaalo

With all four of last year's starters gone, this is the most wide open race of them all. Only Lincoln has a lot of experience but several others are lettermen.

At defensive ends I like Quenton Brown and Daryl Mason backed up by Chad Polk and are you ready for this...Andy Flusche. I probably should be picking Jarrian Roberts for this but something tells me that the former Class A all-state player will pour his heart and soul into the fight. Roberts looked good on occasion last year and he could be a starter even but it's going to take more effort than I've seen yet. I also am hoping that Malik Dilonga is healthy and can contribute.

My guess for starting defensive tackles is Alexander Lincoln and Syd Moore backed up by Dutton Watson and Austin Orr. I've given up on Zero Wallace but I hope that he finally gets it because I believe that he has a lot of talent. Maybe Coach Patrick can get it out of him. Haboul is still undersized for the tackle but he's tough and could see some spot duty.

I doubt that the two freshmen will see any action this year

Edited March 4, 2014 by GrayEagle

[Harry]

Quenton Brown and Daryl Mason at defensive ends

Alexander Lincoln and Syd Moore at defensive tackles...

So you have two 6-4 guys who can run on the ends and two smaller quick/physical guys in the middle...speed, speed and more speed...

I like the way you think Gray Eagle.

[MeanGreenTexan]

That's an undersized line. If we run up against a team with a road-grading O-line and a big RB, we're going to be in trouble. Need Wallace to step up big time and be ZORR 2.0 or better.

[Green P1]

This recruiting class really could have used a Shavod.

[GrandGreen]

The starters will be Brown, Mason, Orr and Lincoln. Second line will be Polk, Roberts, Watson, Moore. Possible playing time and maybe a lot for freshman Johnson.

[MeanGreen13]

i think we wil see a solid 9-10 man rotation in there. with Wallace being rotated in more or less depending on if he fully commits to it. tillman johnson could get playing time but i think andy flusche will play alot as well. if all these guys feed off each other and improve consistently, we could have a pretty formidable pass rush by the end of the season. there is alot of speed here but run defense may be a little tricky. especially in Austin for the first game. hope Orr and Lincoln are ready to ball out cause we will need them to for sure!!!

[meangreendork]

It's not all about size. It's more about player rotation and conditioning. Going a 9-10 rotation with quick and strong players will do wonders when the opposing OL isn't rotating and their team is totally gassed. Don't forget that conditioning and rotation played a HUGE role in the 2013-2014 season.

[BillySee58]

The starters will be Brown, Mason, Orr and Lincoln. Second line will be Polk, Roberts, Watson, Moore. Possible playing time and maybe a lot for freshman Johnson.

Who plays the nose in huddle 2? Moore or Watson? Sounds like they're both pretty good, but at they're size they'd probably be better suited at the 3-tech than at nose. But at least one of them will likely have to play nose out of necessity, unless Sir Calvin can turn things around.

[foutsrouts]

That's an undersized line. If we run up against a team with a road-grading O-line and a big RB, we're going to be in trouble. Need Wallace to step up big time and be ZORR 2.0 or better.

As in our first game. I love speed, but we REALLY need Wallace to pull an Abbe and upgrade himself in short order. At least we have the probability of having some hefty LB's to back up what will likely be a generally light DL.

[Mean_Green09]

Who plays the nose in huddle 2? Moore or Watson? Sounds like they're both pretty good, but at they're size they'd probably be better suited at the 3-tech than at nose. But at least one of them will likely have to play nose out of necessity, unless Sir Calvin can turn things around.

Tauaalo plays the zero technique. I think he is perfect for that role. I love that kid will be a star by the time he leaves

[BillySee58]

Tauaalo plays the zero technique. I think he is perfect for that role. I love that kid will be a star by the time he leaves

I agree. I think he'll have a great chance to crack the two-deep. I'm more curious who will play nose this spring. Especially with Orr out and with things not sounding great on the Sir Calvin front.

I think Tauaalo may have even more potential at the 3-tech, but we need his size at the nose right now. Should be fun to watch.

[Mean Green 93-98]

Tauaalo plays the zero technique. I think he is perfect for that role. I love that kid will be a star by the time he leaves

Who is the last North Texas DT to see significant PT as a true freshman?

Edited March 4, 2014 by Mean Green 93-98

[Harry]

Just to reiterate, when I asked Mac about the D-Line situation he specifically mention Sid Moore as being a player that Skladany saw a lot of potential in.

[DT 90]

Who is the last North Texas DT to see significant PT as a true freshman?

None in the past 5 years.

[Mean Green 93-98]

None in the past 5 years.

Booger's the last I remember.