The biggest question marks are going to be defensive end and mike linebacker. Pretty sure all the other starting positions are solidified, starting left end Rasco, defensive linemen Freak and Ferguson, OLB looking at Kwon Alexander, Tahj Jones (maybe he moves inside) Dieon Jones. Lamin Barrow other middle linebacker. The 2 Jalens will be on the corners, and Craig Loston and Ronald Martin at safety. Anyone else have input or disagree with any of this?
incoming freshmen may have something to say about this. White at corner is not far fetched, he can go.
Alexander and Jones will be big time. They will be the fastest pair of LBs weve ever had. I think DE will be a weak point of the D. Rasco hasnt been too impressive thus far. I hope Freak turns into the stud he was projected. He had some moments this year that showed a lot of flashes but overall he was solid but not spectacular. I think the two Jalens will have some improvement.
I thought Freak was pretty bad ass, he doubled Josh Downs' output coming off the bench. We saw flashes of what Rasco could do as well. Honestly Mastermind I would love to see White starting at the 2 corner and continue to see Jalen Collins in that nickel corner role.
Hopefully the guys recruited for those positions are ready to step in after red-shirting. Granier was recruited as a Mike. Is he ready? Corey Thompson is an Eric Reid clone build wise, but does he have it upstairs? Danielle Hunter at the other end. As good as Herron looked last week he could see early PT. I'd imagine Beckwith will have his say as well. I wouldn't assume on the two Jalens either after the week Tre'Davious White had shutting down EVERYTHING. He could be one of those guys who HAS to see the field now. He's not afraid to tackle either. Tahj is way too small for the Mike spot. He'd get brutalized out there. Barrow's got the size but that would be a one year project and then he moves on. Ideally your Mike gets at least a couple of seasons of service because the position is too important to have to change guys that often. Same with free safety.
DE: Danielle Hunter, Justin Maclin DT: Anthony Johnson, Mickey Johnson DT: Ego Ferguson, Quinten Thomas DE: Jemuria Rasco, Frank Herron SLB: Tahj Jones, Kwon Alexander MLB: Ronnie Feist, Trey Granier WLB: Lamin Barrow, Deon Jones CB: Jalen Mills, Dwayne Thomas SS: Craig Loston, Corey Thompson FS: Ronald Martin, Micah Eugene CB: Jalen Collins, Derrick Raymond
that D wont be able to hold an O to under 30 pts for 100 plays. get ready for more blitzing. unless the OL can just grate everyone.
Let's hope that D won't be on the field for 100 plays. 100 plays is an anamoly. Oregon usually averages in the 80's. For 40-70 plays, that D will be just fine, although I believe the starters will be a bit different. Don't see Tahj coming back and starting over Kwon. Thought Corey Thompson was a FS. And Tre'Davious White will make his presence felt in the secondary. We've got a great group of freshmen coming in.
