2021 Defensive Line Preview

[AstroDin]

Lots of very interesting nuggets in here:
https://furmanpaladins.com/news/2021/1/ ... -line.aspx

Most surprising news - the weight increase in players
Jack Barton has moved inside to DT currently at 6-4 260 plus.
Matt Sochovka is up to 289, I think Matt is underrated - when healthy he's had an impact on defense.
Jeremiah Jackson DE and Seth Johnson at NG appear to be true freshmen that will contribute right away.

[AstroDin]

I think we also have to give Kudos to this staff for changing what has seemed for years to be our Achilles heel. An undersized defensive line that at times has been manned by players who've switched positions to play along the line.

Another reason to be bullish about the Paladin defensive line for 2021 and future seasons. Is a smart balanced recruiting approach.

2021 Spring Season DL Depth
NG: Cameron (SO) Lewis (JR) Johnson (FR)
DT: Sochovka (JR) Stokes (SR) Barton (RSFR) Rogers (RSFR)
DE: Lawerence (SR) Seabrook (SR) Jackson (FR)

Incoming players for fall 2021
Bryce Stanfield (DE) and Christian Paraison (DE)

Furman has offered at least two DT for the late 2021 class.

[The Jackal]

As I noted on the other thread, we are looking at a bunch of unique combinations up front on defense.

I will also say this - our interior defensive line rotation is easily the biggest group I can remember. You go back over the last 20 years, and a lot of our best interior defenders have been shorter/quicker guys - Hodge, Reid, Brown, Glover. Many of our DTs have been in the 260-280 range.

We are looking at rotating some mastodons along that defensive line.

Again, that doesn't make a defense "good" or "bad." However, you put enough beef up front you'll make life tough for any offensive line.

[DeepPurple]

I sure like our DL coach!

[AstroDin]

I like Jackal's line…
"We are looking at rotating some mastodons along that defensive line."

hypothetical lineups…

1st rotation:
NG Coleman 6-3 310
DT Matt Sochovka 6-4 289
DE Lawrence 6-3 270
That's a big line up not just for Furman but for any team

2nd rotation:
NG: Lewis 6-4 291
DT: Stokes 6-0 280
DE: Seabrook 6-3 242

3rd rotation:
NG: Johnson 6-1 297
DT: Barton 6-4 264
DE: Jackson 6-0 252

who knows how Coach Lewis will use all these pieces…

[The Jackal]

Another way of looking at it:

3-man front: DT Sochovka, NG Coleman, DE Lawrence
4-man front: DE Lawrence, DT Coleman, DT Lewis, DE Seabrook
5-man front: DE Hope, DT Sochovka, NG Coleman, DT Lewis, DE Lawrence