The House of Blue

I don't think your point was made at all. You said in the last 10 years we have solid players on the DL, but then list mostly players on this years team or recruits coming in next year.

Sorry but our team has really suffered at the D-Line position for most of the ten years. Yes we have had some good playes. And in 2008 we actually had a complete Dline (Jenkins, Pryor, Jarmon, and Peters). But now we are actually developing true depth at that position and will finally be able to sub in an out during the game.

Yeah this kid has it, he will never be a Rush Backer unless RIck Minter goes to a conventional 34 and gets enough DT types to play our 3 inside D-line positions like GA or BAMA does... Bell is only 16/17 year old right now and already close to 235#, once mature he will be a great 1 gap Strong END, i'm not sure if he'll ever be a true 5 technique but that's ok, we don't have to have a 2 gapper there if this guy is unblockable... Those saying we have had D-line talent like this before really don't know what they are talking about. We have a serious chance to have the best D-line ever at UK with guys like Douglas, Coleman, Chapman and this kid (enough to prove my point). I just really really wish we would get back to a 43 defense and I love the 34 I just don't know YET if we will ever be able to recruit the LB's for it. Smallish 210-225# traditional OLB's won't work at ILB in a 34. In a 34 we really do need kids that once starting are from 235-255# and strong and quick because those guys have to pretty much pursue side-line to side-line and also be able to shed blocks. Those are the types of LB's that we have always had problems getting, I really hope Joker can land a few like i'm talking about. Micheal Deeb or Kimbrough would be great... GO CATS!!!

I think the staff likes him at TE.

That would shock me.

yeah i thought DD was the possible TE. and if they take Bell and switch him to a position that has multiple bodies, they should be fired. he's an impact DE.

I said "once starting" are from 235-255... I never said we can't take 215-225# LB's, that's the size I would like to see us get as long as their frame would allow them to mature close to the 230+ zone... I do understand it's hard to get 250# side-line to side-line LB's but anything is possible. We have had a couple good big LB's in the past... What I was saying was 210-225# (starting) ILB's do not for the most part work in a 34. Go ask anyone that knows anything about a odd front defense (34) and they will tell you that it's a must to have good sized ILB's in a 34. I also bet if those conventional OLB's that Saban and Richt landed are Doron Blaylock/Henderson types they end up at ILB... You will never see a "Jack" LB at BAMA that is under 235+# as a starter. If the kid has length and is 220ish coming out of HS then yea they could play Jack because they will get alot bigger but if they don't have length they will end up inside. I'm not trying to argue, I just hope we can land some big body ILB's (like Avery, or Jabari). I love the Avery types that are 215-220 when they get here.

Love this kid please, please sign with UK. He has the chance to be a beast here and to play in the NFL for yrs.

Agreed.

LB is one position that has been rock solid for the past 6-7 years. Coach Smith is doing a excellent job and anyone that can't see that is just Ray Charles Blind!

Woodyard - 3 *** - All-SEC, Denver Bronco & Capt. of ST's.
Kelly - 2 ** - " Received Freshman All-America honors from three different organizations" & 2008 2nd team ALL-SEC. Was in the league for 3 seasons.
Guy - 3 *** - One season in the Hybrid position and was 2nd team ALL-SEC. Seattle Seahawks.
Maxwell 2 ** - One season as a starter he had 81 tackles & 5 INT's. One of the int's was a 56 yd TD return vs UT.
M.Johnson - 4 **** - Freshman ALL-SEC & Jr. season was 1st team ALL-SEC. Currently with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Trevathan - 2 ** - 1st UK LB to make 1st team ALL-American. Drafted by Denver Broncos.
Johnny Williams - 2 ** - Nice career at UK and was on the Steelers PS in 2009 and had a few tries to make other rosters but didn't stick.
Sneed - 2 ** - Nice backup for most of his UK career. Starter last season and signed as a FA with Detroit.

Now we have Dupree, Williamson and others ready to make their move as the top LB's in the SEC. Smith is a good Coach and IMO will be looked at for a DC job at a smaller school soon.

Pretty sure Braxton was a 3 star.. But otherwise, great post.

Get him hoptown....

It's hard to play 2 gaps when lined up between 2 lineman......that's a 1-gap defender. A 2-gap defender playes heads up, in this case, a 4-technique would line heads up on the OT. But like hoptown said, there all sorts of variations with every defense (i.e. different alignments, walking LBs up to LOS, stacking LBs).

Joker has always given these kind of guys a chance. I'm sure they will always be up-to-date on his academic status and make sure he is progressing. Hopefully, he isn't as far behind as some have been in the past and can get qualified. Good luck to him.

Care to provide a link please? I can't seem to find this report on sb....