Clemson's Cleilin Ferrell looks really good for a Freshman.
Slimm's 2017 Defensive Ends (Underclassman)
- Thread starter Pachyderm_Wave
- Start date
ckparrothead
Premium Member
Should have known the matchup between Carl Lawson and Alabama would be a dud. He rarely had an opportunity to make a play. One of those opportunities, he blew it on a lost contain.
Thought he played very tight for probably 50 minutes of the ball game until the very end when the game was over and he just played angry and wanted to make his mark somehow. Alabama forces players to think about so many options and angles, Lawson could never just go out and play. And he rarely faced Cam Robinson.
Too bad. Still one of my favorites. I do wonder if I should have Charles Harris above him though.
Mind you, that's not because of the Bama game. It just seems to me that Lawson looks a bit sluggish and hesitant this year in general, like he might have gained a little too much weight or something. I like both players a whole lot anyway. Charles Harris made Dan Skipper look borderline undraftable. I legitimately wonder if Jeremy Sprinkle wouldn't have played left tackle better that day. Harris is so jazzed up at all times, jittery, explosive guy. It may fit better for Miami.
Thought he played very tight for probably 50 minutes of the ball game until the very end when the game was over and he just played angry and wanted to make his mark somehow. Alabama forces players to think about so many options and angles, Lawson could never just go out and play. And he rarely faced Cam Robinson.
Too bad. Still one of my favorites. I do wonder if I should have Charles Harris above him though.
Mind you, that's not because of the Bama game. It just seems to me that Lawson looks a bit sluggish and hesitant this year in general, like he might have gained a little too much weight or something. I like both players a whole lot anyway. Charles Harris made Dan Skipper look borderline undraftable. I legitimately wonder if Jeremy Sprinkle wouldn't have played left tackle better that day. Harris is so jazzed up at all times, jittery, explosive guy. It may fit better for Miami.
Last edited by a moderator:
ckparrothead
Premium Member
Forrest Lamp thoroughly dominated Jaylon Ferguson. It wasn't one of those things where the play calling just didn't give Ferguson a chance, or they didn't match up on each other enough, nor was it something where the QB just got the ball out too fast for Ferguson to do anything. This was snap for snap, matchup for matchup, Ferguson going 0-for-All against Lamp, who looked like a 1st round pick. The whole game was chalk full of above-and-beyond execution by Lamp. Every block had a little something extra to it that helps you win ball games.
ckparrothead
Premium Member
One of the 3-4 defenses out there will be getting a nice player in Stanford DL Solomon Thomas if he comes out. Absolutely brutal upper body strength and long arms, good hands, ideal mobility for the chase game as well. A bit a tweener for a 4-3 defense but starts to make more sense as a 3-4 DE.
Another one that probably doesn't declare, but Ja'Von Rolland-Jones is a really nice player - consistent, disruptive, nice burst. He's just a little smaller than you'd like.
Haven't seen a source to confirm, but I hear that Harold Landry will enter the 2017 Draft.
JJ Watt comparisons aside, Solomon Thomas is very talented. He looks strong and athletic enough to excel in odd or even fronts.
ckparrothead
Premium Member
If I were a 4-3 team though I would have some issues with Solomon Thomas. You'd need him to get bigger to play inside, and you can't be certain he rushes the passer well from outside. I love the guy but I probably only feel like it's a home run pick for me if I know my system translates to his tape and his strengths.
I'd imagine him playing a role similar to Trey Flowers.
Fin Thirteen
Club Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2010
- Messages
- 4,664
- Reaction score
- 1,073
Slimm, think Haynes could work as a 4-3 Sam backer?
Fin Thirteen
Club Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2010
- Messages
- 4,664
- Reaction score
- 1,073
If you want a 3-4 de, I'm not sure there's anyone I'd want more than Thomas. In a 4-3, i agree it's not so clear but with that talent, motor and intelligence, his floor is ridiculously high in any scheme. Absolutely love watching him.
Pachyderm_Wave
Hartselle Tigers (15-0) 5-A State Champ
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2008
- Messages
- 15,323
- Reaction score
- 13,905
I think it's worth a try with him, because linebacker is really his only shot at a full time role on defense at the next level. Otherwise he'll just be a spot rusher because he simply doesn't have the size or bulk to line up down after down on the LOS in the NFL. It'll take some time and you'll have to work with him on it, but he has flashed the ability to drop into coverage and look good doing it. He did against Arkansas and got an interception. The issue is he's not used to doing it so it'll take time to get his technique right and not play so high and off balance when he drops into coverage.
Pretty sure we'll see him back in an Ole Miss uniform for his senior season.
Either way, I've watched that kid make a ton of plays in the SEC over the past 3 years. Always, always gets pressure on the quarterback and it usually results in a forced fumble when he arrives. He's forced 9 fumbles over the past 3 years.
Fin Thirteen
Club Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2010
- Messages
- 4,664
- Reaction score
- 1,073
Really, he's unlikely to come out? Wow, I assumed he would definitely declare given the amount of good tape he has over the years.
Definitely. I forgot about him and didn't realize he was in this class, as opposed to transferring somewhere.
In 2015 he was superior to Chad Thomas and it wasn't particularly close. Lean but nasty with a closing burst. Always a touted player, not somebody who came out of nowhere.
I didn't really pay attention to what his off the field problems were. I'm not even going to look it up. He did have issues with eligibility more than once before getting kicked off the team. I don't like jerks on the roster so he'd have to be checked out. Mostly I don't like jerks or blank stare types when you have to invest a high pick on them. That certainly wouldn't be the case here.