DRC: UNT opens camp without two DEs

[Brett Vito]

https://dentonrc.com/sports/football-unt-opens-practice-minus-two-defensive-players/article_531947bb-bdf0-5ab1-9616-bb34f29fc325.html

Edited August 2, 2019 by Brett Vito

[MeanGreenTexan]

We'll see.  I wont hold my breath.

[97and03]

4 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

We'll see.  I wont hold my breath.

Especially the JUCO

[Harry]

[bstnsportsfan3]

Hope they can qualify but based on recent history I wouldn't count on these two going forward 

[greenminer]

[eulessismore]

18 minutes ago, bstnsportsfan3 said:

Hope they can qualify but based on recent history I wouldn't count on these two going forward 

I'll give them even odds, so looking to see one of them in green this fall!

[ntmeangreen11]

Man, one thing Littrell has had a tough time doing is signing high school DL players. FBS defensive linemen.

2016: Hamilton (stud) Ozougwu (was a blueshirt from the previous coach who won't be named) ... we also signed two JUCO players, one who did not qualify (Houston) and one who was a pretty good player (Wheeler)

2017: Novil (good player) Krasniqi (gone)

2018: Leblanc (redshirt) Shaw (gone) ... We also signed three JUCO players. Only Colvin made a slight impact last year, they were big bodied depth signings and we're supposed to believe the myth that JUCO players make a huge jump in their second year. These guys are all already 21/22+ years old there will be no huge jump.

2019: Jimmy Walker, Demeco Roland, Kenneth Dotson (might not ever make it to campus) and two JUCO players one who hasn't qualified in Sow and another who was still on the market in June, had FCS offers, and was likely insurance for Sow not making it to campus.

High school signees: 9 total in 4 years. One was moved to LB (Ozouwu) two are gone, one might not make it here two of them are good players (Novil & Hamilton) and three unknowns who aren't ready yet (Leblanc, Walker, Roland) ... IF and that's a huge if as it's extremely unlikely all three of these young guys end up being FBS players that's still a 50% hit rate. That's not very good.

JUCO players: 7 total in 4 years. One who DNQ, one who likely won't qualify (Sow) two who were depth signings (Sa'afi, Mcmillan) one who at least got on the field in his first season (Colvin) one who was a stud (Wheeler) and one unknown with a poor offer sheet who was still available in June. That also is an awful hit rate.

I love Littrell but man DL recruiting has been abysmal and anyone who thinks this defense will not be giving up 30+ PPG is in for a shock. Between replacing corners, a DL that has average CUSA unit as it's ceiling and the fact that we're likely starting two walk ons or two very young players at LB we're in for a long year on that side of the ball. Hope we can win the track meets, we better keep Mason Fine upright.

Edited August 2, 2019 by ntmeangreen11

[Wag Tag]

1 hour ago, ntmeangreen11 said:

Man, one thing Littrell has had a tough time doing is signing high school DL players. FBS defensive linemen.

2016: Hamilton (stud) Ozougwu (was a blueshirt from the previous coach who won't be named) ... we also signed two JUCO players, one who did not qualify (Houston) and one who was a pretty good player (Wheeler)

2017: Novil (good player) Krasniqi (gone)

2018: Leblanc (redshirt) Shaw (gone) ... We also signed three JUCO players. Only Colvin made a slight impact last year, they were big bodied depth signings and we're supposed to believe the myth that JUCO players make a huge jump in their second year. These guys are all already 21/22+ years old there will be no huge jump.

2019: Jimmy Walker, Demeco Roland, Kenneth Dotson (might not ever make it to campus) and two JUCO players one who hasn't qualified in Sow and another who was still on the market in June, had FCS offers, and was likely insurance for Sow not making it to campus.

High school signees: 9 total in 4 years. One was moved to LB (Ozouwu) two are gone, one might not make it here two of them are good players (Novil & Hamilton) and three unknowns who aren't ready yet (Leblanc, Walker, Roland) ... IF and that's a huge if as it's extremely unlikely all three of these young guys end up being FBS players that's still a 50% hit rate. That's not very good.

JUCO players: 7 total in 4 years. One who DNQ, one who likely won't qualify (Sow) two who were depth signings (Sa'afi, Mcmillan) one who at least got on the field in his first season (Colvin) one who was a stud (Wheeler) and one unknown with a poor offer sheet who was still available in June. That also is an awful hit rate.

I love Littrell but man DL recruiting has been abysmal and anyone who thinks this defense will not be giving up 30+ PPG is in for a shock. Between replacing corners, a DL that has average CUSA unit as it's ceiling and the fact that we're likely starting two walk ons or two very young players at LB we're in for a long year on that side of the ball. Hope we can win the track meets, we better keep Mason Fine upright.

Hardest position to recruit even at the P5 level.  One of the reasons you see a lot of the 3-4 line up.You look at our O-line which was terrible a few years ago and now may be one of our strengths. We have to recruit length, red shirt  develop and look for transfers. Go English! GMG

Edited August 2, 2019 by Wag Tag

[Harry]

1 hour ago, ntmeangreen11 said:

Man, one thing Littrell has had a tough time doing is signing high school DL players. FBS defensive linemen.

2016: Hamilton (stud) Ozougwu (was a blueshirt from the previous coach who won't be named) ... we also signed two JUCO players, one who did not qualify (Houston) and one who was a pretty good player (Wheeler)

2017: Novil (good player) Krasniqi (gone)

2018: Leblanc (redshirt) Shaw (gone) ... We also signed three JUCO players. Only Colvin made a slight impact last year, they were big bodied depth signings and we're supposed to believe the myth that JUCO players make a huge jump in their second year. These guys are all already 21/22+ years old there will be no huge jump.

2019: Jimmy Walker, Demeco Roland, Kenneth Dotson (might not ever make it to campus) and two JUCO players one who hasn't qualified in Sow and another who was still on the market in June, had FCS offers, and was likely insurance for Sow not making it to campus.

High school signees: 9 total in 4 years. One was moved to LB (Ozouwu) two are gone, one might not make it here two of them are good players (Novil & Hamilton) and three unknowns who aren't ready yet (Leblanc, Walker, Roland) ... IF and that's a huge if as it's extremely unlikely all three of these young guys end up being FBS players that's still a 50% hit rate. That's not very good.

JUCO players: 7 total in 4 years. One who DNQ, one who likely won't qualify (Sow) two who were depth signings (Sa'afi, Mcmillan) one who at least got on the field in his first season (Colvin) one who was a stud (Wheeler) and one unknown with a poor offer sheet who was still available in June. That also is an awful hit rate.

I love Littrell but man DL recruiting has been abysmal and anyone who thinks this defense will not be giving up 30+ PPG is in for a shock. Between replacing corners, a DL that has average CUSA unit as it's ceiling and the fact that we're likely starting two walk ons or two very young players at LB we're in for a long year on that side of the ball. Hope we can win the track meets, we better keep Mason Fine upright.

Great post - agree 100%

[MeanGreen13]

1 hour ago, ntmeangreen11 said:

Man, one thing Littrell has had a tough time doing is signing high school DL players. FBS defensive linemen.

2016: Hamilton (stud) Ozougwu (was a blueshirt from the previous coach who won't be named) ... we also signed two JUCO players, one who did not qualify (Houston) and one who was a pretty good player (Wheeler)

2017: Novil (good player) Krasniqi (gone)

2018: Leblanc (redshirt) Shaw (gone) ... We also signed three JUCO players. Only Colvin made a slight impact last year, they were big bodied depth signings and we're supposed to believe the myth that JUCO players make a huge jump in their second year. These guys are all already 21/22+ years old there will be no huge jump.

2019: Jimmy Walker, Demeco Roland, Kenneth Dotson (might not ever make it to campus) and two JUCO players one who hasn't qualified in Sow and another who was still on the market in June, had FCS offers, and was likely insurance for Sow not making it to campus.

High school signees: 9 total in 4 years. One was moved to LB (Ozouwu) two are gone, one might not make it here two of them are good players (Novil & Hamilton) and three unknowns who aren't ready yet (Leblanc, Walker, Roland) ... IF and that's a huge if as it's extremely unlikely all three of these young guys end up being FBS players that's still a 50% hit rate. That's not very good.

JUCO players: 7 total in 4 years. One who DNQ, one who likely won't qualify (Sow) two who were depth signings (Sa'afi, Mcmillan) one who at least got on the field in his first season (Colvin) one who was a stud (Wheeler) and one unknown with a poor offer sheet who was still available in June. That also is an awful hit rate.

I love Littrell but man DL recruiting has been abysmal and anyone who thinks this defense will not be giving up 30+ PPG is in for a shock. Between replacing corners, a DL that has average CUSA unit as it's ceiling and the fact that we're likely starting two walk ons or two very young players at LB we're in for a long year on that side of the ball. Hope we can win the track meets, we better keep Mason Fine upright.

Demeco Roland never signed and went the JUCO route I believe due to academics. Also, we have two competent jack LBs to rush the QB along with a senior in Hambone. 1 more year of experience means we'll be slightly less dependent on blitzing the middle and weakside LBs to get pressure and give them slightly less responsibilities since it appears the smaller, younger guys might win the position. The Davis boys will excel in pass coverage as they both have experience playing in the defensive back field. I also believe that whoever wins the CB and Nickle spots will be serviceable at least and our safeties are both on the edge of being all-conference performers, though they are small. 

All that being said, there's little chance the defense wont take a step back. I am concerned about the size of our LBs and Safeties... we benefitted from good lb play from gus who had the stature to hold up with physical running teams, leaving the safeties to make sound tackles. If the lbs get pushed around more, the safeties' lack of size will get exposed. I like our dline actually, barring injury. This defense will be good enough to hold up if the offense takes the next step into the elite realm. Otherwise, if the team has to consistently lean on them, the versatile offensive running schemes on our schedule are really gonna control the clock and smack them around... badly. 

I'm cautiously optimistic that there will be enough balance between offense and defense to allow the team as a whole to be elite. I am also optimistic about the future as the experience of our your players catch to their size and athleticism. Alex Morris and Makyle Sanders are waiting to take over the safety spots and could honestly lose out tk some of the other guys we have. The redshirt and true freshmen LBs are and upgrade in terms of size and athleticism. Dline however is in trouble unless the coaches pick it up in recruiting. The young Mr. Brown in the class on 2020 was my hope for instant help, but alas, Tulane. 

I havent posted anything in a while... I guess I had a lot to say.

[NorthTexasWeLove]

4 hours ago, ntmeangreen11 said:

Man, one thing Littrell has had a tough time doing is signing high school DL players. FBS defensive linemen.

2016: Hamilton (stud) Ozougwu (was a blueshirt from the previous coach who won't be named) ... we also signed two JUCO players, one who did not qualify (Houston) and one who was a pretty good player (Wheeler)

2017: Novil (good player) Krasniqi (gone)

2018: Leblanc (redshirt) Shaw (gone) ... We also signed three JUCO players. Only Colvin made a slight impact last year, they were big bodied depth signings and we're supposed to believe the myth that JUCO players make a huge jump in their second year. These guys are all already 21/22+ years old there will be no huge jump.

2019: Jimmy Walker, Demeco Roland, Kenneth Dotson (might not ever make it to campus) and two JUCO players one who hasn't qualified in Sow and another who was still on the market in June, had FCS offers, and was likely insurance for Sow not making it to campus.

High school signees: 9 total in 4 years. One was moved to LB (Ozouwu) two are gone, one might not make it here two of them are good players (Novil & Hamilton) and three unknowns who aren't ready yet (Leblanc, Walker, Roland) ... IF and that's a huge if as it's extremely unlikely all three of these young guys end up being FBS players that's still a 50% hit rate. That's not very good.

JUCO players: 7 total in 4 years. One who DNQ, one who likely won't qualify (Sow) two who were depth signings (Sa'afi, Mcmillan) one who at least got on the field in his first season (Colvin) one who was a stud (Wheeler) and one unknown with a poor offer sheet who was still available in June. That also is an awful hit rate.

I love Littrell but man DL recruiting has been abysmal and anyone who thinks this defense will not be giving up 30+ PPG is in for a shock. Between replacing corners, a DL that has average CUSA unit as it's ceiling and the fact that we're likely starting two walk ons or two very young players at LB we're in for a long year on that side of the ball. Hope we can win the track meets, we better keep Mason Fine upright.

Yup.