#4 for 2022: **** LB Jaron Willis

GTCrew

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Not at present - but the kids (assuming the commits actually commit) would, it seems to me, constitute one of the best back 7 rosters we've had since I've been hanging around (nearing 4 decades). I realize that some of them haven't played a down yet but yikes, on paper the future looks as good to me as it has ever looked.
I'm still confused. We have one commit from a LB/Nickel. Are you assuming we have/get some uncommitteds?
 

00Burdell

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I'm still confused. We have one commit from a LB/Nickel. Are you assuming we have/get some uncommitteds?
We have the transfer from MD. We have Kaleb Edwards, We have studs already on the roster. I guess I have to go back and justify why I think the guys on the roster plus the commits considered collectively are better as a group then we have had in a very long time.

I don't keep detailed notes but I do keep an unofficial barometer which is at an all time high for the combined talent level for the group not on the DL.

Am I alone in thinking this?
 

76tornados

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We have the transfer from MD. We have Kaleb Edwards, We have studs already on the roster. I guess I have to go back and justify why I think the guys on the roster plus the commits considered collectively are better as a group then we have had in a very long time.

I don't keep detailed notes but I do keep an unofficial barometer which is at an all time high for the combined talent level for the group not on the DL.

Am I alone in thinking this?
Edwards is legit. I have a friend that played with him at Collins Hill.

Edit: His son played with him. LOL
 

The Champ

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We have the transfer from MD. We have Kaleb Edwards, We have studs already on the roster. I guess I have to go back and justify why I think the guys on the roster plus the commits considered collectively are better as a group then we have had in a very long time.

I don't keep detailed notes but I do keep an unofficial barometer which is at an all time high for the combined talent level for the group not on the DL.

Am I alone in thinking this?
Our back 7 performed terribly all last season despite having all kinds of size, speed and 4-star (or NFL projectable talent ) in the 5 secondary slots
 

GTCrew

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Our back 7 performed terribly all last season despite having all kinds of size, speed and 4-star (or NFL projectable talent ) in the 5 secondary slots
IMHO the main problem was LB. I wish we could get this young man in for this year, because I'm pretty sure he would start. And if he wants to play nickel that's a perfect fit because I believe we will play that defense as our base defense. I hope we get a few more at his level.
 

BigDanT

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IMHO the main problem was LB. I wish we could get this young man in for this year, because I'm pretty sure he would start. And if he wants to play nickel that's a perfect fit because I believe we will play that defense as our base defense. I hope we get a few more at his level.
We let too many QBs run on us so I would agree.
 

OptionsJacket

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We have the transfer from MD. We have Kaleb Edwards, We have studs already on the roster. I guess I have to go back and justify why I think the guys on the roster plus the commits considered collectively are better as a group then we have had in a very long time.

I don't keep detailed notes but I do keep an unofficial barometer which is at an all time high for the combined talent level for the group not on the DL.

Am I alone in thinking this?
The hyperbolic nature of the statement is what Crew is questioning. These guys haven't done anything yet to call them legendary. Sure, the potential is there.
 

Techbert

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The hyperbolic nature of the statement is what Crew is questioning. These guys haven't done anything yet to call them legendary. Sure, the potential is there.
We will see if that potential is realized or not, but the mud-sticking devotion to clinging to the past is what I am questioning.
 

Walton

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Our back 7 performed terribly all last season despite having all kinds of size, speed and 4-star (or NFL projectable talent ) in the 5 secondary slots
Our best defender Carpenter did not play a lot and was never 100%; out best CB Swilling basically didn’t play all year. We don’t have enough quality depth to overcome that.

The DL fell apart for all kind of reasons and didn’t support the back 7 at all.
 

BigDanT

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Our best defender Carpenter did not play a lot and was never 100%; out best CB Swilling basically didn’t play all year. We don’t have enough quality depth to overcome that.

The DL fell apart for all kind of reasons and didn’t support the back 7 at all.
I forgot was Tre injured?
 

The Champ

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Our best defender Carpenter did not play a lot and was never 100%; out best CB Swilling basically didn’t play all year. We don’t have enough quality depth to overcome that.

The DL fell apart for all kind of reasons and didn’t support the back 7 at all.
Carpenter missed 1 game; swilling missed 3.
If they weren’t in, they had highly touted 4 star guys filling in behind them

It’s okay to admit our defense was ööööing terrible last year
 

Architorture23

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If anything Carpenter played too much. He wasn't healthy and put on bad weight in the offseason because he had surgery and couldn't condition. But for whatever reason, he played.
 

Walton

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They didn’t play near the snaps they did the previous year and a big part of my point is that Carpenter was not the player he was in 2019 because he played hurt and with problems all year long. So he went from a leader on the team to a sub-par player.
 

wesleyd21

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Carpenter was a bright spot for the 2019 defense. Then he had off-season surgery to where he couldn’t sweat/workout ever...hence the weight gain.

Juanyeh Thomas played with a cast in 2019 IIRC. If we can finally get those 2 healthy at the same time then we can be very good in the secondary. And, of course, our newly improved recruiting will help.
 

OptionJacket

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I agree with all the above. Last year was just an abject failure on the defensive side. The reasons don’t matter moving forward. All that matters is game performance from here on out. By amassing bodies I would hope the days of having to watch a player get burned over and over are long gone. It seems like some defensive players have been coddled regarding playing time thru the transition. I understand it, but I hope we are to the point where the guys who can get it done get the playing time. For me, it’s a clean slate for everyone for game 1. I don’t care if your a senior or freshman. It’s all about performance on the field moving forward.
 

AlaGold

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Willis is like the FR Edwards only 20 lbs BIGGER. --SCARY.Those 2 guys are better than any LB recruits from hi school in the last 5 yrs. SWEET
 

ncjacket

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I agree with all the above. Last year was just an abject failure on the defensive side. The reasons don’t matter moving forward. All that matters is game performance from here on out. By amassing bodies I would hope the days of having to watch a player get burned over and over are long gone. It seems like some defensive players have been coddled regarding playing time thru the transition. I understand it, but I hope we are to the point where the guys who can get it done get the playing time. For me, it’s a clean slate for everyone for game 1. I don’t care if your a senior or freshman. It’s all about performance on the field moving forward.
Agree with you overall but to my eye last year was more about not playing as a unit and trusting teammates versus everyone trying to play hero ball. How much of that was lack of a normal spring and preseason, how much was individual talent level and how much was coaching I don’t know, but I do expect to see improvement this year. In particular we have to get a pash rush from somewhere or all 5 star DBs won’t be able to stop the pass.
 
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