Defensive Line DLine DL recruiting thread

He would wreck things in any era.

 

What type of injury and will he be able to get his 4 games to play and be able to retain his redshirt. It would be nice to have a feel for his talent at the college level.

What about Goods and Humphries? Is UF going to be able to count on them at a high level at least by 22? They're not freshmen and they are not playing any. That's a bit disconcerting even if only 3 games in. They should have been able to earn PT against FAU and USF.

 

It’s not uncommon with the big boys. Many aren’t ready until year three. Physical development is just as much of a factor as learning techniques and systems. The difference in many kids between 18 and 22 years of age is astronomical.

 

Funny thing is there is lots of tape on Donald on YouTube. I actually looked at some good quality tape.

What I saw was a the perfect 3 technique DT who also slides out to SDE. He has incredible speed, probably the best first move I've ever seen, combined with incredible strength.

Donald's strength is on passing plays. His stats bears that out: QB sacks, QB rushes/hurries, and hits on the QB are better than anyone in NFL history. However, he is doing this in an era of the preferred NFL style of play, the high flying wide open passing game where passing game stats take a priority over the running game stats, if they are even mentioned.

Looking at stops, getting tackles in the running game, Donald isn't anything spectacular. I particularly enjoyed watching a tackle with the Colts who is 30 lbs. heavier abuse Donald on running plays. To be fair, Donald was attracting double teams on passing plays in this film.

When you say Donald would dominate in any era, I'm not buying it. Any NFL team choosing to run a balanced attack with a good running game can neutralize Donald. Teams that pound the ball would give him a very tough time. Just curious, does any such team still exist in the NFL? If so, tell me as I'd be interested in watching some of those games.

I also looked at the top 25 DTs in the NFL. Most are the size that I find more appropriate even in the pass happy NFL. Most ranged from 295 up to 340. That makes Donald the smallest in weight at 280.

Donald is an anomaly. There isn't another player at DT as good for the current NFL game with his unique size, speed, and talent. However, it doesn't make sense to hold him up as the typical desired for the hybrid DT/SDE position when he is a one and only combined with playing in the NFL at the right time.

That's the way I see it. Like it or don't like it, that's up to you.

 

Well alrighty then, I hope you are right because UF will need them in 22.

I really, really hope the Leonard Taylor rumors are true. UF could use him too.

Don't want to and won't have an OL discussion in this thread, but what you say about big guys being slow to develop is more true for big OL, more body shaping is usually involved. That's a big reason why I disapprove of the negativism and the lack of patience for OL development and our OL coach in the OL thread, particularly the thread that was shutdown. Yesterday, 3rd year Kingsley Eguakun stated in his interview that he was better than what he was rated and now he's showing it. Just say'n. End of unsolicited OL discussion in this DL thread.

 

He's also a true freshman behind a bunch of veteran guys, a 5*, and a 400lb freak of nature.

 

It's so comforting to know UF will have 3 DTs who can play in 2022 presuming Lee's foot allows him to play and get experience in 21. I guess UF will just slide some of their bigger DEs inside. No biggie. Oh wait, Zanders is the only DE coming back who has the size and experience to slide inside.

 

better hope the transfer portal is generous

 

It’s just physical development in a position where strength is absolutely necessary. Some develop young and some never at all. Ivey and cece are good examples of guys that never really took that next step in physical development. It’s just genetics and impossible to predict.

 

Lamar Goods is a second year RFR. At 6'2"/332, he the size to play both DT positions. Genetics? His father played 10 years in the Canadian Football League. It's disappointing that he hasn't earned any PT and especially so in 21 against FAU and USF, 2 teams a redshirt player should get some snaps in late in the game. His best SEC offers were Georgia and Kentucky. He committed to UK before flipping to UF

Jaelin Humphries is a third year RSO. At 6'3"/328, he has the size to play both DT positions. He played in 1 game in 19. He played in the Texas A&M game in 20 which led me to think he was further along in his development towards playing. Since the Texas A&M game, Humphries hasn't seen the field. Humphries had a terrific list of offers:

Alabama/Georgia/LSU/Mississippi State/Tennessee

I'm giving true freshman Chris Thomas a pass as there are folks here who say he meets the eye test and will likely develop and play.

What concerns me most is we have two DTs who are not showing signs that they are developing enough to play. I would not want to count on them to be ready in 22 nor would I want to put players on the field that can't handle their responsibilities.

Even if UF gets Hastings, Lyons, and say Walter Nolan, a stretch, or another DT, these guys will be true freshmen who will need development time too.

I thought when UF brought in Newkirk and Shelton-Valentino plus added Truesdell late that it was to buy time for the youngsters to develop. Sadly, I see no evidence of that happening with 2 games come and gone where the players needing development could have gotten game snaps to help them prepare for 22.

It looks like UF will have to raid the transfer portal again.

Hopefully, our 21 DT transfers in will do well and get picked up by the NFL. That would grease the skids to entice a couple of more DTs to transfer in to help in the short run.

 

Back and shoulder injuries are never a good thing. (shaking head) I feel bad for Humphries, so much lost potential, if he can't heal.

This is where it wouldn't hurt for players injuries to be updated from time to time. I had no idea Humphries is dealing with a chronic back injury.

UF needs 3 really good DTs in the 22 class. A transfer or two would complete the deal for 22.

 

Good for him. I hope he gets the PT he is looking for out there.

 

Yes, he was stuck in a log jam at the Buck position and just could not get the PT he wanted.

 

That’s a long way to go for some PT.

 

Bogle only got 14 snaps v. Bama. It was a good move by him to go, and he was able to find a P5, which some of our transfer portal players had a hard time finding. It took Houston a while to find his landing spot, and he was a relatively talented player.

 

I thought Chatfield played SSDE and was basically supplanted by Umanmeilen.