- Sep 8, 2014
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Good breakdown by our boy Goldkamp. Haven't seen him posting here since he got his panties in a wad during the coaching hire... Would like to see @Itraz thoughts/inputs on this.
Move to 3-4 creates a tricky situation at defensive end
With a move to a 3-4 defense, Florida has a glut of players that might not quite fit as a traditional 3-4 defensive end. It'll make for an interesting spring and offseason.
https://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/...a-tricky-situation-at-defensive-end-112781260
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- With the Early Signing Period over, GatorBait.net stops to take a look at each position on the roster to identify remaining needs and look at strengths and weaknesses of the players at the position. Today we continue with the defensive ends.
Defensive Ends
Players:
CeCe Jefferson, SR
Jabari Zuniga, RJR
Keivonnis Davis, RJR*
Luke Ancrum, RJR
Jachai Polite, JR
Elijah Conliffe, SO
Zachary Carter, RSO
* Currently indefinitely suspended
Overview: This is going to be a tough position to project until we get to spring practice, because of the abundance of bodies who could fit either at defensive end or as a rush linebacker position in the 3-4 system. The three who seem most certain to play as five-technique ends are Zuniga, Conliffe and Carter, but Florida will likely bulk up some others to get them into the ideal size profile to play the position as well.
Strengths: Athleticism
There's no denying that on paper this was a group put together to feature a lot of pass-rushers in a 4-3 system. There are several undersized bodies that will need to add some serious mass if they're going to spend the majority of their snaps as a five-technique. Still, it's usually easier to add size and maintain most of the athletic ability rather than shed size and pick up additional athleticism. That's the good news.
Weaknesses: Size, Strength
Even a year ago the ends often had trouble setting the edge, and that task is so much more important for a five-technique. That's why we have a guy like Conliffe, who has terrific size and above-average athleticism for a 4-3 defensive tackle, moving outside to anchor one end. But there's no doubt that this group will have to be recruited differently going forward.
What Needs To Happen: Zuniga and Carter likely need to add a bit more bulk, while Conliffe might could stand to shed a few pounds. From there, it's on the staff to identify which other guys they think can reasonably add some more weight and be productive. Polite seems like the next best bet, though he doesn't have the length of a typical five-technique. If Jefferson or Davis are around for the 2018 season, Florida can probably squeeze enough reps out of that duo to get by a little undersized next fall.
What We Expect: Conliffe seems all but certain to start as a guy who has some experience and is the absolute ideal fit for a five-technique. The Gators just don't have any other guys that scream 'fit' for that role. Carter is probably the guy whose chances of playing a huge role increase most dramatically. Expect those two and Zuniga to be the three getting the most run at those end spots, with the staff looking to find one to two more who can complement them in spring ball.
Move to 3-4 creates a tricky situation at defensive end
With a move to a 3-4 defense, Florida has a glut of players that might not quite fit as a traditional 3-4 defensive end. It'll make for an interesting spring and offseason.
https://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/...a-tricky-situation-at-defensive-end-112781260
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- With the Early Signing Period over, GatorBait.net stops to take a look at each position on the roster to identify remaining needs and look at strengths and weaknesses of the players at the position. Today we continue with the defensive ends.
Defensive Ends
Players:
CeCe Jefferson, SR
Jabari Zuniga, RJR
Keivonnis Davis, RJR*
Luke Ancrum, RJR
Jachai Polite, JR
Elijah Conliffe, SO
Zachary Carter, RSO
* Currently indefinitely suspended
Overview: This is going to be a tough position to project until we get to spring practice, because of the abundance of bodies who could fit either at defensive end or as a rush linebacker position in the 3-4 system. The three who seem most certain to play as five-technique ends are Zuniga, Conliffe and Carter, but Florida will likely bulk up some others to get them into the ideal size profile to play the position as well.
Strengths: Athleticism
There's no denying that on paper this was a group put together to feature a lot of pass-rushers in a 4-3 system. There are several undersized bodies that will need to add some serious mass if they're going to spend the majority of their snaps as a five-technique. Still, it's usually easier to add size and maintain most of the athletic ability rather than shed size and pick up additional athleticism. That's the good news.
Weaknesses: Size, Strength
Even a year ago the ends often had trouble setting the edge, and that task is so much more important for a five-technique. That's why we have a guy like Conliffe, who has terrific size and above-average athleticism for a 4-3 defensive tackle, moving outside to anchor one end. But there's no doubt that this group will have to be recruited differently going forward.
What Needs To Happen: Zuniga and Carter likely need to add a bit more bulk, while Conliffe might could stand to shed a few pounds. From there, it's on the staff to identify which other guys they think can reasonably add some more weight and be productive. Polite seems like the next best bet, though he doesn't have the length of a typical five-technique. If Jefferson or Davis are around for the 2018 season, Florida can probably squeeze enough reps out of that duo to get by a little undersized next fall.
What We Expect: Conliffe seems all but certain to start as a guy who has some experience and is the absolute ideal fit for a five-technique. The Gators just don't have any other guys that scream 'fit' for that role. Carter is probably the guy whose chances of playing a huge role increase most dramatically. Expect those two and Zuniga to be the three getting the most run at those end spots, with the staff looking to find one to two more who can complement them in spring ball.
