3 star DB with offers from Illinois, Wisconsin, Louisville, Mizzou, Oregon, Ole Miss, Nebraska, MSU and more.
Welcome aboard LeonTre “Smiley” Bradford
- Thread starter Abugabby
- Start date
Can we play 11 secondary people in a defense?
We have gotten 1 DE and 1 DT in this class. I haven’t seen a LB, but I could be missing one. I am assuming we will be hitting the transfer portal for our DL?
We have gotten 1 DE and 1 DT in this class. I haven’t seen a LB, but I could be missing one. I am assuming we will be hitting the transfer portal for our DL?
Seems like a great offer list. Is it me or are we recruiting some really stout players? It’ll be so refreshing to watch a good defense given the last few years
Some of these D- will be converted to outside linebackers as they bulk up over next 2 yrs.....want that speed and guys that fly around the ball....
Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't the OLBs in Walters scheme guys like Carraway? I dont see these DBs getting that big.
Pretty sure Walters plays 5-6 dbs all the time on D. Likely a position that really needed beefed up based on how many he plays. Believe he uses bigger strong safety types to play hybrid LB/S/CB.
Let’s attempt to give him time to mold his roster before we start criticizing.
ESPN lists 14 DL and 13 LB so I am certainly willing to let this play out.
Let’s attempt to give him time to mold his roster before we start criticizing.
ESPN lists 14 DL and 13 LB so I am certainly willing to let this play out.
Here’s a break down of DB recruits…
Safety - Bradford, Marble
CB - Nettles, Kulp, Hines
ATH - Beasley, Williams, Edmond
Walters system plays 5+ DBs most downs so no worries with all the DB signings, plus the ATH recruits he’s signed are high level recruits so they could play on either side of the ball depending on team needs. Would like to see a few more DL signings but if not Walters won’t be afraid to use the portal to add depth.
Safety - Bradford, Marble
CB - Nettles, Kulp, Hines
ATH - Beasley, Williams, Edmond
Walters system plays 5+ DBs most downs so no worries with all the DB signings, plus the ATH recruits he’s signed are high level recruits so they could play on either side of the ball depending on team needs. Would like to see a few more DL signings but if not Walters won’t be afraid to use the portal to add depth.
This is the 2nd commitment in this class from E. St. Louis IL. Checked the rankings for’25 and they have 2 more prospects in that class. A 4* CB and a 3* WR.
Keep them coming!
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Keep them coming!
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Aren’t Brevard, Mba, Lewis, Omonode and others all eligible to return? Harkless is a freshman.
I think after this year Langham has to go. You’re gonna need to hit the portal if you want a guy with his length opposite M’ba.
Here’s your if then list on the other positions as far as guys leaving
Brevard > Lewis or Harkless
Jenkins > Sydnor
Brothers > Berglund or Moon
Washington > Davis
I’m not saying anything about the ability of those who haven’t played, but that’s likely who fits those spots.
He’s talking about the interior linebacker. Walters defense may look like Diaco’s at ND in terms of where they line up, but instead of 245 lb run stuffers inside, expect one guy to be about 225-230 like a 4-3 outside backer and the other to be 210-220 like a big safety. Some of these guys could grow to either size.
OLBs in this defense are more like karlaftis size. You’re correct there, but he was talking about the inside
You’re correct.. for anyone who is curious, here is your likely 2023 starting defense
Buck - Scrouton 6’5” 260
LDE - Langham 6’6” 306
NT - Brevard 6’3” 315
RDE - M’ba 6’6” 313
Fox - Jenkins 6’1” 270
Left interior LB - Washington 6’3” 230
Right interior S/LB - Brothers 6’2” 225
Boundary corner - Turner Muhammad 5’11” 190
FS - Allen 6’1” 195
SS - Kane 6’0” 205
Field corner - Marquis Wilson 5’11” 180
That’s gonna be first down after the opening kick off. The speed of brothers and Washington.. as opposed to 250 lb inside linebackers, helps cover space to compensate for the huge front. A few things to note:
> the OLBs typically do not line up over the tackles. The offensive tackles end up with no one lined up in front of them and the OLBs lined up outside. This will hurt a Fresno state because there is no threatening the perimeter and working back inside. The defense is outside in.
> against heavy run teams Walters often subs out the DEs for two nose tackles. This nullifies a Wisconsin pre 2023 strategy and stops play action.
> against pass heavy teams he can sub out the fox for a nickel .. so Jenkins could leave. But mostly he can move brothers to the left and sub out Washington for Kane at the second level and then Stevens next to Allen up top. He will also play the strong safety close to the box against pass heavy teams.
All that said, if Langham starts and then leaves after the season (he has to), then Walters will need to get a starter in the portal
Maybe he was, but he literally typed, "Some of these D- will be converted to outside linebackers as they bulk up over next 2 yrs".
Caraway changed his last name to Scourton in the off-season
Good insight. The DL will definitely have some nice size to it! I just hope the depth behind the starters can prove their worth. I’m excited to see coach Walters work his magic with these new schemes.
Second team is
DE Nichols 6’3” 315
NT Lewis 6’3” 300
DE Anderson 6’4” 280
Couple possibilities there..
1) Anderson show that the old coaching staff didn’t vibe with him and busts out
2) he doesn’t and either
a) Strickland puts on size and moves up
Or
Harkless comes in and Lewis moves outside.
The D-Line is in the best shape #'s and talent wise than I can ever remember. Few transfer defections when we lost our Hoosier D-Line Coach and some SEC sized guys to go with some younger talent....
LB's are a concern but some of theses DB's will beef up to play LB....
I believe both he and Isaiah Nichols will have exhausted their eligibility after the season
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