Linebackers

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Was surprised to see that our linebackers are ranked as the third best in the country. Remember that Clemson is one of the ones ranked ahead of us. Mentioned three players, Jackson coming back, Afari and Johnson coming in.

Raynor another very experienced good player that could have a very good year with the one year under his belt here. Then all of the younger guys like Fearby, Godfrey, Brown and all the Smith boys. Will be interesting to see which ones of the younger guys makes an impact this season.

 

[gamecockcat]

That is surprising but we do have plenty of guys who, on paper, should be very solid. If they play like they should, this could be a very strong group. Coupled with a strong DL group, the front 7 could be a problem for our opponents. If the secondary steps up and we find a way to pressure the opposing QBs, the defense could be damn good.

If BVG can be at least average in running the offense and getting the ball to the playmakers, this team could surprise a bunch of folks (me, included).

 

[satcheluk]

I've also seen articles ranking our D-line, front 7 and CBs nationally and jokers coming on here arguing that they're worried about the defense this year.

 

[vhcat70]

Was surprised to see that our linebackers are ranked as the third best in the country. Remember that Clemson is one of the ones ranked ahead of us. Mentioned three players, Jackson coming back, Afari and Johnson coming in.

Raynor another very experienced good player that could have a very good year with the one year under his belt here. Then all of the younger guys like Fearby, Godfrey, Brown and all the Smith boys. Will be interesting to see which ones of the younger guys makes an impact this season.

Excellent.

What is the source of this LB ranking? Thanks.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Excellent.

What is the source of this LB ranking? Thanks.

Forgot to write it down. Will see if I can find it and get the name of the other team ranked ahead of us.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Excellent.

What is the source of this LB ranking? Thanks.

PFF College News and Analysis by Max Chadwick on June 11th. Had the top ten for all the positions. After Clemson then Iowa, UK, GA, LSU, AL, MI, Penn St, OK St., and OH St.

 

[The-Hack]

D’ Eryk Jackson (D’Jack) is the coolest story. Dude slept in his car to attend a UK camp, where he earned a scholarship offer!!

Adding PFF’s ninth best returning backer, Dumas/Johnson from UGA helped nab the third ranked unit.

Here’s the link to PFF LB rankings:

College Football: Top-10 linebacker units in the country

Max Chadwick reveals the top-10 LB units in college football this season.

www.pff.com

 

[Rembrandt90]

D’ Eryk Jackson (D’Jack) is the coolest story. Dude slept in his car to attend a UK camp, where he earned a scholarship offer!!

Adding PFF’s ninth best returning backer, Dumas/Johnson from UGA helped nab the third ranked unit.

Here’s the link to PFF LB rankings:

College Football: Top-10 linebacker units in the country

Max Chadwick reveals the top-10 LB units in college football this season.

www.pff.com

D'Eryk Jackson is yet another example of our coaching staff taking a lightly recruited low-3 star with underrated tools and developing him into an all conference caliber player. Coach Mike knows what he is doing. He didn't recruit D'Eryk but he is primarily responsible for his development at the current level. Very impressive.

I am excited to see what happens with Grant Godfrey and eventually Devin Smith and Steven Soles. A whole lot of talent and motor there.

 

[YaketySax]

ILB and OLB players have benefited with consistent high level assistant coaches going back (for the ILBs) to Matt House 7(?) seasons ago at this point. Thats generational development.

 

[bballcat4]

We need Weaver or Fearbry to provide excellent pass rush. I’m glad to have Weaver for the extra year. Returning that many snaps is always a good thing for depth. But, I’m ready to give the younger guys some more snaps on the edge.

I agree that this defense can be very, very good. But excellent pressure from the edge is a game changer.

 

[Rembrandt90]

We need Weaver or Fearbry to provide excellent pass rush. I’m glad to have Weaver for the extra year. Returning that many snaps is always a good thing for depth. But, I’m ready to give the younger guys some more snaps on the edge.

I agree that this defense can be very, very good. But excellent pressure from the edge is a game changer.

Weaver is good against the run. He seldom gets blocked cleanly on the edge. I don't think he will ever be a very good pass rusher, but he gets some pressure on the pocket now and then. Fearbry is sort of the opposite, a pretty quick pass rusher but not thick enough yet in the lower body to be very consistent against the run.

 

[bballcat4]

Weaver is good against the run. He seldom gets blocked cleanly on the edge. I don't think he will ever be a very good pass rusher, but he gets some pressure on the pocket now and then. Fearbry is sort of the opposite, a pretty quick pass rusher but not thick enough yet in the lower body to be very consistent against the run.

Agree with your assessment. Consequently, I hope to see more of Fearbry in obvious passing situations. I think less snaps for Weaver could actually help his production.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Agree with your assessment. Consequently, I hope to see more of Fearbry in obvious passing situations. I think less snaps for Weaver could actually help his production.

I think so too. And, based on the spring coach speak, Fearbry will play a role in the Jack playing rotation this year.

The other question is whether a third Jack LB will see the field this year for Coach White. That might need to be a freshman. But since Weaver will exhaust his eligibility this fall, it would make sense to give some playing experience to someone besides Fearbry.

 

[hmt5000]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...S&cvid=8ddc224e704f4781b83d21bd00ae1d90&ei=11

SB nation reporting it too. Should be pretty good pub.

 

[ukalum1988]

 

[mrschwump]

Weaver is good against the run. He seldom gets blocked cleanly on the edge. I don't think he will ever be a very good pass rusher, but he gets some pressure on the pocket now and then. Fearbry is sort of the opposite, a pretty quick pass rusher but not thick enough yet in the lower body to be very consistent against the run.

Hoping Noah Matthews is ready to step up his game, that would be a huge plus. Similar in size to Fearbry.

 

[secrules3]

It seems to me that Weaver is being told to be more of a edge setter and to not straight rush the QB.

That's the only thing that makes sense to me since he was really causing problems for QB's his SO year and hasn't really gotten any pressure since.

I know the injury slowed him down but surely it hasn't hampered him him this much.

It's also 4am and I'm having withdrawals after finally getting off of Percocet after being on quite a bit for over 5 years now from a botched surgery so I may be delirious...

 

[ColoradoBleedBlue]

Which LB positions have Godfrey and J. Brown appear to be settling into?

 

[Boz]

Godfrey ILB and believe Brown too.

 

[Rembrandt90]

Godfrey ILB and believe Brown too.

Brown has mainly been playing Mike but also can play Will. Godfrey redshirted, sat for a while with an injury, and has mainly been practicing at Will. Godfrey is the son of Randall Godfrey. Good young players.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Brown has mainly been playing Mike but also can play Will. Godfrey redshirted, sat for a while with an injury, and has mainly been practicing at Will. Godfrey is the son of Randall Godfrey. Good young players.

Dad's nickname was Zeus and was a monster the day he stepped on campus. I am guessing the son had a little easier time growing up than the dad.

 

[mrschwump]

Dad's nickname was Zeus and was a monster the day he stepped on campus. I am guessing the son had a little easier time growing up than the dad.

Godfrey was a stud, hope the kid inherited some of that.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Godfrey was a stud, hope the kid inherited some of that.

Think he may be a little longer than his dad, maybe a step quicker too, but Dad was pretty developed physically for a kid just out of HS.

 

[Crankdatmustard]

Pass rusher away from being ELITE d unit. Hopefully someone surprises

 

[tdcat]

Pass rusher away from being ELITE d unit. Hopefully someone surprises

Think Fearbry fills that role this year. Inside push from Walker and Silver gets him home.

 

[SPECT imaging]

Was surprised to see that our linebackers are ranked as the third best in the country. Remember that Clemson is one of the ones ranked ahead of us. Mentioned three players, Jackson coming back, Afari and Johnson coming in.

Raynor another very experienced good player that could have a very good year with the one year under his belt here. Then all of the younger guys like Fearby, Godfrey, Brown and all the Smith boys. Will be interesting to see which ones of the younger guys makes an impact this season.

Confident about Jackson, JDJ, Weaver, and Afari. Good, experienced group. JDJ brought headlines. No wonder the positive media attention. Better depth and talent this year but some of it is green.

 

[trueblujr2]

Think Fearbry fills that role this year. Inside push from Walker and Silver gets him home.

If we have a secondary that can counter the aerial attacks we will be facing, defense could help us surprise a team or two.

 

[MontyCats]

This defense has it all. I just think scheme holds this group back so much. The secondary is good enough to put on an island more often than not and send the ends. Dropping Wallace into coverage instead of sending him killed our effectiveness and killed his draft stock last year. Early on they were using him correctly and then at some point in the season they got scared and stopped taking chances and we fell apart. I believe we have hit a period in the Stoops era where our season is completely dependent on our offense and in game decision making from coaches. I just dont think this defensive scheme moves the needle anymore. Roush alluded to it the other day that the league kinda just figured it out the last 2 yrs.

 

[EdgeHD]

This defense has it all. I just think scheme holds this group back so much. The secondary is good enough to put on an island more often than not and send the ends. Dropping Wallace into coverage instead of sending him killed our effectiveness and killed his draft stock last year. Early on they were using him correctly and then at some point in the season they got scared and stopped taking chances and we fell apart. I believe we have hit a period in the Stoops era where our season is completely dependent on our offense and in game decision making from coaches. I just dont think this defensive scheme moves the needle anymore. Roush alluded to it the other day that the league kinda just figured it out the last 2 yrs.

Not sure our cover guys are good enough to be on an island but hope so. That would be an improvement. I do not think there is anything to the league suddenly figuring out the defense. All the time, OCs are watching film of other defenses and putting together game plans to beat them. The OCs always have the built in advantage because they can innovate but the DC must react. Offensive innovation is always happening in football. When any defense reacts, the OC sees it and goes to his next contingency. In any game, the defense on both sides will be caught and exploited on some plays. What matters is the final score but it is always messy. Messy is the nature of football.

 

[MontyCats]

Not sure our cover guys are good enough to be on an island but hope so. That would be an improvement. I do not think there is anything to the league suddenly figuring out the defense. All the time, OCs are watching film of other defenses and putting together game plans to beat them. The OCs always have the built in advantage because they can innovate but the DC must react. Offensive innovation is always happening in football. When any defense reacts, the OC sees it and goes to his next contingency. In any game, the defense on both sides will be caught and exploited on some plays. What matters is the final score but it is always messy. Messy is the nature of football.

I agree with all this and these aspects are amplified when you play a safe zone defense because we are having to react more than most.

 

[EdgeHD]

I agree with all this and these aspects are amplified when you play a safe zone defense because we are having to react more than most.

That is only true because our pass rush has not been very efficient. I expect the pass rush to improve this year. If you make the quarterback hurry, these other things can cease to be problems. Our zone is fine if we pressure the quarterback.

 

[MontyCats]

That is only true because our pass rush has not been very efficient. I expect the pass rush to improve this year. If you make the quarterback hurry, these other things can cease to be problems. Our zone is fine if we pressure the quarterback.

A lot of that is scheme. were dropping 7 or 8. Its easy to say pass rush isn't successful when your constantly at a disadvantage in numbers. I don't think we will ever have an above average rush with Brad White. Go back and watch clips from 18' those schemes helped put Josh Allen in positions to be successful. In the beginning of the season last year we sent Wallace off Walkers weak side ALOT and it was very successful. The rest of the year we put Wallace in coverage which was the one thing he was below average at. That's taking an NFL talent and making him a liability.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

That is only true because our pass rush has not been very efficient. I expect the pass rush to improve this year. If you make the quarterback hurry, these other things can cease to be problems. Our zone is fine if we pressure the quarterback.

If Weaver plays every game like he did against UL our defense jumps a notch.

 

[hmt5000]

If Weaver plays every game like he did against UL our defense jumps a notch.

If Weaver get 11+ sacks instead of 3 to 6... we become an entirely different defense. He has the ability so it's not like it's a wild thought.

 

[K_TIME]

If Weaver get 11+ sacks instead of 3 to 6... we become an entirely different defense. He has the ability so it's not like it's a wild thought.

He's had 5 years and has never come close to bieng a consistent edge rush threat (even when we've had decent interior rushers)....so it's entirely a wild thought JJ could do it......I don't think he's got it in his abilty to be honest....he just never improved

 

[Boz]

I wouldn’t count on Weaver give more than 3 or 4 sacks.

 

[tdcat]

He's had 5 years and has never come close to bieng a consistent edge rush threat (even when we've had decent interior rushers)....so it's entirely a wild thought JJ could do it......I don't think he's got it in his abilty to be honest....he just never improved

Yes,Weaver sets a good edge against the run but isn't getting it done enough on pass rush downs. If we have anyone on the team breakout off the edge as a pass rusher, it will be Fearbry. Kid is real quick and has speed off the edge. If he has gotten stronger he could be a real tough assignment for the opposing team.

 

[SPECT imaging]

Yes,Weaver sets a good edge against the run but isn't getting it done enough on pass rush downs. If we have anyone on the team breakout off the edge as a pass rusher, it will be Fearbry. Kid is real quick and has speed off the edge. If he has gotten stronger he could be a real tough assignment for the opposing team.

Fearbry looked good late in the season. I hear Noah Matthews has made strides.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

It's my opinion that if you are going to be an elite pass rusher you have to be all in on rushing the passer, you can't slow down to set the edge and then see pass and then rush. OL can basically tackle rushers and QBs are getting rid of the ball so quick you just have to hope you can disrupt a little.