Spring Practice info: another spring in the books for UF football

[BMF]

Spring Preview: In crowded backfield, how will carries be split?
Florida has a loaded stable of running backs but only so many touches to go around. GatorBait.net previews some questions going into spring and how things could play out.

https://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/...backfield-how-will-carries-be-split-115895311

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida players are on spring break this week, taking a bit of time off between a grueling stretch of strength and conditionining and the beginning of spring practice. With spring ball set to begin on March 16, GatorBait.net takes a look at each position to provide you with our three top questions, how we think the depth chart will turn out following spring ball and more.
___________

Running Back
___________
THREE KEY QUESTIONS

*** Is Jordan Scarlett still in reasonably good playing shape?

After sitting out for the entire 2017 season, Scarlett was away from the team's strength and conditioning program for about five full months. While he was presumably still training in his off time, you can't always replicate what happens under the direction of a professional strength and conditioning program (granted, calling former coach Jim McElwain's S&C program professional may be a stretch). Has Scarlett had enough time to get back into good physical shape? Will it take him some time to get back into football playing shape? If so, it opens the door on the running back competition.

*** Will Dan Mullen's offense favor the bigger backs?

It's no secret that Mullen's offenses have been heavily predicated on a strong interior power run game. When he was at Florida, Tim Tebow helped fill that void from his quarterback spot. But otherwise, Mullen has typically had a compact, powerful rusher to carry the load inside. With no quarterbacks on the roster that really fit the power mold, that should give guys like Scarlett, Lamical Perine and Dameon Pierce a leg up on the competition to take the bulk of the carries. Mullen will certainly still use the speedier backs like Adarius Lemons, Malik Davis and Iverson Clement, but they could be guys that see just a handful of touches per game rather than guys pushing 15-20 carries.

*** Can either of the freshmen push for early playing time?

Florida might have one of the most crowded and talented backfields in the SEC, if not the country. With Scarlett returning and proven players like Perine and Davis returning (though Davis won't be in contact this spring), as well as Lemons, who showed some flashes late last season, it's a group that probably already could get by without any new contributors. But folks around the Florida program are very optimistic about Pierce's chances of contributing early based on his athletic profile. He's a powerful player who's already competing with some of the others in the weight room. Meanwhile, Clement is a versatile threat who could be used a number of different ways out of the backfield. It'll be interesting to see if either is able to make enough of a case this spring to push for real touches come fall.

___________

HOW WE PROJECT THE POST-SPRING DEPTH CHART

Running Back:

Jordan Scarlett, RJR
Lamical Perine, JR
Dameon Pierce, FR
Adarius Lemons, SO
Iverson Clement, FR

Explanation: Don't get too caught up in a linear depth chart projection here, as Mullen has been known to use guys with different skill sets quite a bit, even if they're not the designated starter or backup at running back. So Lemons could get a lot of run even if he ends up "behind" Pierce on the depth chart. Really what we're projecting here is for Pierce to have an early impact and Scarlett to be in pretty good shape this spring.

___________

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE

More than anything, even with Davis out for the spring, it's going to be interesting to see how Florida gets all the backs enough touches. There are at least four that figure to be good enough to help next fall, and finding ways to keep them all engaged and productive this spring could be a task.

The other interesting aspect to watch will be the reintegration of Scarlett. He has everything wrapped up off-the-field in terms of the alleged credit card fraud scandal, so unless there are some in-house punishments that remain, he should be right in the thick of things. Will that incident make Mullen view him in a different light? Is he starting behind the 8-ball or is it full go, best man wins the job? How the touches are divvied up, particularly early on, will be riveting.

---------------

 

[MertzJay26]

Do I smell the Trask train getting warmed up?!?

 

[MertzJay26]

Spring Preview: In crowded backfield, how will carries be split?
Florida has a loaded stable of running backs but only so many touches to go around. GatorBait.net previews some questions going into spring and how things could play out.

https://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/...backfield-how-will-carries-be-split-115895311

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida players are on spring break this week, taking a bit of time off between a grueling stretch of strength and conditionining and the beginning of spring practice. With spring ball set to begin on March 16, GatorBait.net takes a look at each position to provide you with our three top questions, how we think the depth chart will turn out following spring ball and more.
___________

Running Back
___________
THREE KEY QUESTIONS

*** Is Jordan Scarlett still in reasonably good playing shape?

After sitting out for the entire 2017 season, Scarlett was away from the team's strength and conditioning program for about five full months. While he was presumably still training in his off time, you can't always replicate what happens under the direction of a professional strength and conditioning program (granted, calling former coach Jim McElwain's S&C program professional may be a stretch). Has Scarlett had enough time to get back into good physical shape? Will it take him some time to get back into football playing shape? If so, it opens the door on the running back competition.

*** Will Dan Mullen's offense favor the bigger backs?

It's no secret that Mullen's offenses have been heavily predicated on a strong interior power run game. When he was at Florida, Tim Tebow helped fill that void from his quarterback spot. But otherwise, Mullen has typically had a compact, powerful rusher to carry the load inside. With no quarterbacks on the roster that really fit the power mold, that should give guys like Scarlett, Lamical Perine and Dameon Pierce a leg up on the competition to take the bulk of the carries. Mullen will certainly still use the speedier backs like Adarius Lemons, Malik Davis and Iverson Clement, but they could be guys that see just a handful of touches per game rather than guys pushing 15-20 carries.

*** Can either of the freshmen push for early playing time?

Florida might have one of the most crowded and talented backfields in the SEC, if not the country. With Scarlett returning and proven players like Perine and Davis returning (though Davis won't be in contact this spring), as well as Lemons, who showed some flashes late last season, it's a group that probably already could get by without any new contributors. But folks around the Florida program are very optimistic about Pierce's chances of contributing early based on his athletic profile. He's a powerful player who's already competing with some of the others in the weight room. Meanwhile, Clement is a versatile threat who could be used a number of different ways out of the backfield. It'll be interesting to see if either is able to make enough of a case this spring to push for real touches come fall.

___________

HOW WE PROJECT THE POST-SPRING DEPTH CHART

Running Back:

Jordan Scarlett, RJR
Lamical Perine, JR
Dameon Pierce, FR
Adarius Lemons, SO
Iverson Clement, FR

Explanation: Don't get too caught up in a linear depth chart projection here, as Mullen has been known to use guys with different skill sets quite a bit, even if they're not the designated starter or backup at running back. So Lemons could get a lot of run even if he ends up "behind" Pierce on the depth chart. Really what we're projecting here is for Pierce to have an early impact and Scarlett to be in pretty good shape this spring.

___________

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE

More than anything, even with Davis out for the spring, it's going to be interesting to see how Florida gets all the backs enough touches. There are at least four that figure to be good enough to help next fall, and finding ways to keep them all engaged and productive this spring could be a task.

The other interesting aspect to watch will be the reintegration of Scarlett. He has everything wrapped up off-the-field in terms of the alleged credit card fraud scandal, so unless there are some in-house punishments that remain, he should be right in the thick of things. Will that incident make Mullen view him in a different light? Is he starting behind the 8-ball or is it full go, best man wins the job? How the touches are divvied up, particularly early on, will be riveting.

---------------

Perine should be used in short yardage and goal line situations only. Gimme Davis, Scarlett and Lemons getting the bulk.

 

[BMF]

Early look at 2018: Florida’s puzzle at LB should come into clearer focus after spring

https://www.seccountry.com/florida/florida-football-spring-practice-linebackers-analysis-2018

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — While Florida’s quarterback competition will attract the most interest this spring, the evaluation that will take place on the defense is plenty interesting in its own right.

New Gators defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has said his unit will play a mix of four down linemen and three down linemen and will play to the strengths of his personnel. But ultimately, the defense is switching to a new philosophy with 3-4 base principles, and there will be adjustments that come with that.

For instance, Grantham has confirmed that senior standout CeCe Jefferson will work both at defensive end, his natural position, as well as outside linebacker in those 3-4 alignments.

But it’s likely Jefferson isn’t the only player on the move. Until spring practice starts, it’s all guesswork as to how the coaching staff will put the pieces of the defensive puzzle together.

Christian Robinson, who will coach the Gators’ inside linebackers, said as much when he met with reporters a couple weeks ago.

“Right now we’re just putting pieces together to see what we want to do this spring. As we go, that will adapt, people will be moving all over the place, I imagine,” he said.

But there are some opinions that can be drawn heading into this next month nonetheless.

For what it’s worth, here was Robinson’s overall opinion of the linebacker group he’s inheriting, albeit an opinion made before having a chance to work closely with the guys.

“I’m excited. I think we have a great group of guys and some guys that have played,” he said. “I’ve been to some places as a graduate coach where you didn’t have a large number. I’ve got a large room compared to places I’ve been. So it’s exciting to be able to coach them and everybody gets coached. This spring we’re going to be evaluating everybody, and I think that’s what is exciting to our room is that everybody’s going to get the reps, everyone’s going to get the chance to show what they can do and we’ll try and put the best 11 out there on Saturday.”

Let’s take a closer look at that linebacker room …

Inside linebackers
David Reese (junior): Reese is as easy to project as anybody on this Florida defense. He’s an ideal inside linebacker in a 3-4 and played well as the middle linebacker in the Gators’ 4-3 the last two years. He should be a mainstay again for Florida as a two-year starter coming off a season in which he led the team with 102 tackles while no other player on the roster had more than 58. He also tallied 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception.

The rest of the group is less easy to forecast.

Vosean Joseph (junior): Joseph is a hard-hitting tackler, but he had his inconsistencies last year while finishing with 55 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and an interception.

Kylan Johnson (redshirt junior): Johnson was undermined by injuries last season, and it’s tough to say where he projects in the Gators’ new defense. He is one of the few experienced players at the position, though.

Ventrell Miller and James Houston (redshirt freshmen): Miller and Houston were suspended last season as part of the Gators’ credit card fraud saga. Reinstated back in January, both will get a second chance at a better first impression.

Rayshad Jackson (redshirt junior): Jackson played mostly on special teams last season while totaling 14 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Lacedrick Brunson (redshirt freshman): Brunson was a rare 2-star signee for Florida in the Class of 2016, but former defensive coordinator Randy Shannon dismissed that star rating and was high on Brunson’s potential. Whether he ends up inside or outside remains to be seen, but he made his reputation in high school as a high-volume tackler.

Outside linebackers
CeCe Jefferson (senior): Jefferson is a pass rusher, whether that comes out of a defensive end stance or as a charging outside linebacker. Showing his position versatility will only improve his draft stock, and Jefferson clearly liked the vision sold to him by the new coaching staff as he decided to pass on the NFL draft and return for his final season. He should be a star for the Gators, however he’s utilized.

Jeremiah Moon (redshirt sophomore): Moon has often been referred to as a freak athlete, and the previous coaching staff had tried experimenting with him as a versatile linebacker who could drop into coverage. It stands to reason he’ll end up on the outside, where his athleticism can be best leveraged. He still has plenty to prove after totaling just 23 tackles last season, but he has plenty of untapped upside as well.

Again, the rest of this list is less clear.

Jachai Polite (junior): This is a guess that Polite will be another of the defensive ends Florida might look to experiment with at outside linebacker. He’ll, of course, also play on the defensive line in four-down-linemen sets. Listed at 6-foot-2, 260 pounds last season, Polite had a breakout fall while showing both his pass-rushing potential (5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 6 quarterback hurries) and his overall athleticism, memorably chasing down Tennessee running back John Kelly from behindafter starting the play in the offense’s backfield.

Antonneous Clayton (junior): The former top recruit from the Class of 2016 who has yet to have his breakout season, Clayton is another guy who could fit that pass rushing, outside linebacker mold. He talked about how he felt undersized on the line as a freshman and had to put on weight. With his athleticism, he could just as easily conform to the size the coaches want from an outside linebacker. A fresh start with a new coaching staff is probably the best thing that could have happened to Clayton.

Nick Smith (redshirt freshman): Smith was 3-star prospect in the Class of 2017, but he had the profile and look of a player who could outperform his recruiting ranking and be a real factor for the Gators. Unfortunately, a season-ending knee injury in the preseason wiped up his freshman season. He’s a young player to keep an eye on in 2018.

Amari Burney (freshman): Burney, the Gators’ highest-rated Class of 2018 defensive signee, was an early enrollee and will go through spring practice. It’s very possible he ends up at safety, but he is also expected to get a look at outside linebacker. His general upside is intriguing wherever he ends up on the depth chart.

Andrew Chatfield and David Reese (freshmen): These 4-star prospects won’t arrive until the summer, but they were each key signees for Florida in terms of filling a major need at outside linebacker. Coach Dan Mullen raved about the feedback he received on Chatfield, how he was described as the “hardest playing guy on the field.” It would not be a surprise to see these guys climb the depth chart quickly. And yes, the potential for having two David Reeses playing linebacker on the same defense is interesting in its own right.

Overview
Linebacker was Florida’s thinnest position last year, in part because of the suspensions of Miller and Houston. As Robinson noted, the Gators look to have better numbers there, especially when considering some of the defensive end types who will get looks at outside linebacker and versatile players such as Burney who could end up as a defensive back or outside linebacker.

But this was also the position of most concern for fans when it was announced the Gators had hired Grantham and would be bringing in his 3-4 defense.

He assuaged some of those concerns by clarifying that his defense would be flexible and adjust to the personnel. But it remains to be seen how that will materialize.

“That whole thing about 3-4, 4-3, to me it’s really about we’re a 3-4 structure, but we play four down and three down and we’re going to find ways to get our best players on the field. And we’re going to change every year relevant to the playmakers. Because defense is about winning your 1-on-1 matchups,” Grantham said.

“… I think that we have pieces in place. We’ve just got to put them together. And that’s really what spring is for to me. We’ll mix and move guys around and try to figure out what combination of players give us the best chance to be successful.”

 

[Swamp Donkey]

This tool thinks Jachai Polite is moving to linebacker?

 

[BMF]

This tool thinks Jachai Polite is moving to linebacker?

No sh*t. He's an idiot. I'm expecting Polite to come in around 280 this fall.

Also has Burney listed (he's supposed to start at Safety).

And I'm pretty sure Clayton is a DE as well.

He also says that Brunson is a "rare" 2-star.....but doesn't mention that Jackson is a 2-star also.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Perine should be used in short yardage and goal line situations only. Gimme Davis, Scarlett and Lemons getting the bulk.

Perine doesnt fit this offense at all. He wont last IMO.

Davis is the man. Scarlett amd Lemons, agreed.

 

[BruceWayne]

I think Lemons and Pearce will be the two backs that end up making the biggest impact. I don't think Scarlett or Davis will make it through the season without injury. WRs will get like 40% of the carries next year too. If we had a better runner at QB I think the QB becomes the leading rusher in this offense on a consistent basis.

 

[Gator Fever]

The freshman walkon Jaylen Jackson and Kadarious Toney will be third string. Toney if it is just a series or two. Jackson if he needs to play a few games due to injury.

As for power runner, there isnt one on the roster.

Whether or not you think Franks fits the bill I guess depends on whether you've actually watched a Mullins offense or whether you actually believe he throws the ball vertically.

I agree that Franks doesn't have much accuracy on short and medium throws but neither did Tebow.

I have watched Mullen's offense and Franks type of running isn't suited for it that good imo.

It wouldn't 100% shock me If Trask ended up ahead of him at some point. If that true freshman learns quick I would think he should beat Franks out in camp prior to the season. Heck I have seen many 2 stars play better than Franks did last season. He Is a Driskel that is just a little more likely to run out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage than to throw a pick.

 

[Gator Fever]

I think Lemons and Pearce will be the two backs that end up making the biggest impact. I don't think Scarlett or Davis will make it through the season without injury. WRs will get like 40% of the carries next year too. If we had a better runner at QB I think the QB becomes the leading rusher in this offense on a consistent basis.

That would be a huge change with Mullen if we don't have a Percy Harvin type talent on the roster which we don't. I think WRs got about 1% of the carries in his offense this past season.

 

[BMF]

I have watched Mullen's offense and Franks type of running isn't suited for it that good imo.

It wouldn't 100% shock me If Trask ended up ahead of him at some point. If that true freshman learns quick I would think he should beat Franks out in camp prior to the season. Heck I have seen many 2 stars play better than Franks did last season. He Is a Driskel that is just a little more likely to run out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage than to throw a pick.

Franks seems to run better than Leak. Now, the Leak offenses (under Mullen) weren't as explosive as the Tebow offenses. And I don't think Franks can throw anywhere near as well as Leak. So...I expect - if Franks is the QB - the offense will be MUCH better than anything we saw under Butters, but not quite as good as even the 2005 offense. So, maybe 28ppg? Close to 400 ypg?

 

[CGgater]

Perine doesnt fit this offense at all. He wont last IMO.

Davis is the man. Scarlett amd Lemons, agreed.

I think that depends on whether DM needs power or speed. Perine has shown the ability to carry defenders with him.

Depending on our quality depth at WR, I’d like to see if Clement is versatile enough to be a RB/WR X factor. There were recruiting reports hinting at that.

Davis, Pierce and Lemons could be really fun to watch!

 

[BMF]

From Scott Carter:

Gators Notebook: Frank's Arm, Toney's Role, Unis, More Tidbits
Florida head coach Dan Mullen is gearing for the start of his first spring camp in charge of the Gators.

http://floridagators.com/news/2018/...Franks-Arm-Toneys-Role-Unis-More-Tidbits.aspx

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators are on spring break this week but open their first camp under head coach Dan Mullen in 10 days. If you haven't heard, the first two practices are open to the public.

For Mullen, this week is an opportunity to take a breath after three months of non-stop activity, including last week's speaking tour in Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando.

Mullen charged up the fan base with his energy behind the mic. He also dropped some noteworthy items of interest. Here are some of the highlights:

• Mullen isn't writing off redshirt sophomore quarterback Feleipe Franks as some fans are, nor should he. Franks has all the physical tools to succeed and Mullen sees it. "I watched Feleipe Franks throw the ball 75 yards against Tennessee,'' he said. "The last quarterback I coached that had that arm talent was Cam Newton."
• Mullen's excitement and enthusiasm showed through and based on social media reaction, fans appreciated the tone Mullen brought to the events. "I loved being at Florida when I was here before. I'm thrilled to be back here at Florida. Hopefully one of these days I can have an office next to Coach Spurrier after I have a good, long career here and get an office next to him and be here the rest of my life."
• Sophomore running back Malik Davis won't be at full-speed for the start of spring camp, but Mullen likes Davis' play-making ability from what he has watched on film. "I like to give play-makers the ball. He's working really hard to get healthy,'' Mullen said. "We'll probably make a judgment in August for where he will be for the season."
• Receiver/Wildcat quarterback Kadarius Toney is another player who Mullen views as dangerous with the ball. "He's an H receiver. He'll play the same position Percy Harvin played when we were here before. You will see him line up at a lot of different positions, including quarterback, this year."
• Mullen is urging students to set the tone during home games and will meet with student groups to encourage their involvement and arrival at games earlier than in the past. "Every one of the fans in our stadium are going to take the students' lead. If the students are jumping up and down, having fun, going crazy, so is everybody else," he said. "If the students don't, they're not. So, we've got to do a great job of cultivating and teaching the students how, one, we need them there and, two, how we need them to act during the course of the game."
• The University Athletic Association continues work on finalizing plans for several facility improvements, including a stand-alone football facility. Mullen is excited about having a say in the project. "Here's the great thing, and this is what I'm really excited about, is I'm glad personally that we didn't throw one up,'' he said according to SECCountry.com. "Because I'm here to make sure we get it built and we get it done the right way. Because anytime when you deal with facilities, the most important thing we're looking for in the operations building in football is how do we maximize performance in student-athletes, and that's what it's all about. How do we maximize their performance in everything that they do."
• Mullen admitted he was not a fan of Florida's "swamp green" uniforms it wore against Texas A&M last season. However, he is not adverse to straying away from traditional uniforms to change the look occasionally. "The favorite uniform of every kid we recruited was the green uniform, and they are the ones that have to win games for us," Mullen said. "Yeah, whatever they want to wear. It is what it is to get those guys. I mean, we'll be wearing a black jersey combination at some point. We'll be doing some cool stuff for the guys, because that's what they like to do. That's what it's about."

EXTRA POINTS

Glad to see Kevin Barbay, Florida's director of player development under Jim McElwain, get hired as quarterbacks coach at Stephen F. Austin University in his native Texas. Barbay sought a return to coaching after his stint as a member of UF's support staff …


Head coach Clint Conque adds new quarterbacks, offensive line and tight ends coaches to the Lumberjack football program, while promoting Jeff Byrd to assistant head coach and moving Jeremy Hammock to oversee running backs.

Full Story ?? https://t.co/n445qooHSQ#AxeEm pic.twitter.com/kZrRd4hw8T

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) March 5, 2018


Former Gators linebacker Cristian Garcia is another good guy who has landed well after his time with the Gators. Garcia recently rejoined his position coach last season, Tim Skipper, as a defensive graduate assistant at UNLV. Skipper was named UNLV's defensive coordinator in late January …

So grateful for the opportunity to begin my coaching career at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas ???? #GoRebels #GATA pic.twitter.com/SQcfwCBFZO

— C-GAR (@CrisGarcia99) February 28, 2018


Former Gators offensive lineman Phil Trautwein, announced as Yale's offensive line coach Feb. 12, joined his former position coach at UF two weeks later when Boston College head coach Steve Addazio hired Trautwein to coach the Eagles' O-line.

Thank you to everyone at @Yale_Football, but I was blessed with the opportunity to go back to the place where I started my career, and work for @BCCoachAddazio, who developed me as a player. So I'm proud to announce I've joined the @BCFootball staff! https://t.co/wYCuyRynuW

— Phil Trautwein (@CoachTrautFB) February 27, 2018


Mark DeBastiani and Ryan Smith, two quality control defensive analysts for the Gators under McElwain, have resurfaced. DeBastiani, who served as Florida's interim linebackers coach in the Outback Bowl win over Iowa after the 2016 season, is the new defensive coordinator at Alabama A&M. Meanwhile, Smith is the new linebackers coach at Florida A&M.

QUOTE OF NOTE I
"It's great for Florida, a great hire. He knows the landscape, knows Florida … the SEC East will feel Dan Mullen." – Former Gators head coach Urban Meyer to The Florida Times-Union

QUOTE OF NOTE II
"I think it's because I left." – Mullen (jokingly) after being asked in Tampa why Meyer left UF after the 2010 season

QUOTE OF NOTE III
"I'm ready. I've seen him give his talks to the booster clubs and he might have used the phrase 'relentless effort' 7,000 times. It's motivating me." – Ex-Gators quarterback Danny Wuerffel on Mullen's enthusiasm

IN MEMORIAM @stephenPE

Bob Vosloh (Tampa Tribune, 1956)

Harold "Hal" Seymour was a big story for the 1963 Gators football team. Seymour, who grew up kicking footballs barefoot, put shoes at the urging of head coach Ray Graves.

He tried to punt like most punters, but after four games, Seymour was not getting the results he wanted and went back to punting barefooted.

His average increased more than five years per kick the rest of the season according to the Dec. 8, 1963, edition of The Pensacola News Journal. The 73-year-old Seymour passed away on Feb. 24 …

Former Gators offensive lineman Bob Vosloh, who lettered at UF from 1954-56, passed away Feb. 26 at the age of 82.

Vosloh signed with the Gators out of Miami Jackson High in 1953 and later settled in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

 

[GatorJ]

This tool thinks Jachai Polite is moving to linebacker?

Not only that but the other David Reese is an MLB as well. I’m not sure how that’s up to debate. Clayton is a DE. I would be surprised if he played any other position.

And everything that I have read about Chatfield (although it is too early) says he’s projected to be a DE at the next level.

 

[BMF]

Not only that but the other David Reese is an MLB as well. I’m not sure how that’s up to debate. Clayton is a DE. I would be surprised if he played any other position.

And everything that I have read about Chatfield (although it is too early) says he’s projected to be a DE at the next level.

I think Chatfield will be a OLB in this system. He'll never grow into a 280+lb DE in this 3-4. He'll rush the passer a lot, but out of the OLB spot. He's supposedly up to 240 (per Mullen's comments on signing day). But you're right....Clayton is a DE, Burney is a Safety (for now), and Polite is no doubt a DE.

 

[GatorJ]

I think Chatfield will be a OLB in this system. He'll never grow into a 280+lb DE in this 3-4. He'll rush the passer a lot, but out of the OLB spot. He's supposedly up to 240 (per Mullen's comments on signing day). But you're right....Clayton is a DE, Burney is a Safety (for now), and Polite is no doubt a DE.

He played DE and OLB at the HS level. But everything that I read said he’s not fast enough to play OLB at this level and that he has the frame to be a DE. Granted, not a 290 lb DE. But there have been plenty of really good 260lb DEs. I know it’s not a great fit for 34, but if he’s a really good pass rusher, they’ll find a way to make it fit.

 

[BMF]

He played DE and OLB at the HS level. But everything that I read said he’s not fast enough to play OLB at this level and that he has the frame to be a DE. Granted, not a 290 lb DE. But there have been plenty of really good 260lb DEs. I know it’s not a great fit for 34, but if he’s a really good pass rusher, they’ll find a way to make it fit.

Agree. They say he has a great "first step", like CeCe (and he's built a lot like CeCe - who is moving to LB). He'll probably be a stand up end in a lot of situations (when they bring the LB up to the line). But unless he gets over 260 (imo) he likely plays more LB than end.

 

[GatorJ]

Last I saw he was creeping up to 290. Is that not the case?