D Line: 2017 vs 2024

[Shooter McGavin]

100%. Manny was a solid DC. The truth is that UM is not a top level program and doesn't have national championship level talent, or anywhere close to it. Manny & Richt made the defense fun to watch again and got the most out of it they could.

Hated Manny as a HC but liked him as a DC from 16-18. If the offense was better in 2017 then they are 11-0 going into the ACC title game and then 2018 was a disgrace all around on offense for the most part. We thought Perry was the savior but he absolutely laid an egg against Virginia and it was all downhill from there.

 

[Golsen82]

Cam McCormick would have been a sophomore blocking those ends.

And Scott Patchan just left not long ago

 

[E1k]

2017 had a bunch of “good” players at DE.
2024 has the chance to have 3/4 GREAT players at DE.

Besides bain who is great? Mesidor is to me about the same level as chad, alston isn’t better than joe or trent imo. Baron is really good but not great either imo. I don’t see the great potential

 

[E1k]

Gerald Willis didn't play so it was McIntosh and Norton. Depth was Moten, Ford and Bethel which wasn't great. The depth on this year and versatility of Ends that can line up inside on passing downs makes this years upside higher IMO

Yea im taking mcintosh and norton over our dts rn by far, and our depth is about the same and i honestly might take ford over our dt3 and back

 

[E1k]

Alot of recency bias going on here, the final verdict for the 2017 guys is done and we can just guess the best case scenario with the 2024 guys

 

[Calinative]

I think this EDGE groups blows 2017 out of the water tbh. This EDGE group top 4 is loaded this year. And we have a bunch of young talent behind them as well. I don't think it'd be a stretch to say we have THE top EDGE room in the country. Maybe you can say top 3 or something, but it's elite this year.

DT production wise, that 2017 roster is probably better as things stand right now. However Willis didn't technically play that year. And this years roster technically is going to have some absolute studs that we expect to likely be far better than anything we had then or now with Scott/Blount/Jones. But ignoring that, I really wouldn't be surprised to see this DT group end up doing well simply because they are all veterans. Barrow, Clark, and Cook are all Redshirt Seniors. That matters imo. IF Clark can hold up at NT/1T, I think we're probably better. Like if he could be on par or superior to Norton, I don't think Barrow will be as good as McIntosh was, but then we have far more talented depth and an experience guy like Cook.

 

[PimpCane]

Another way to answer this question would be to rank the top 8 players at each position regardless of year. After ranking, whichever year has the most players or is more top heavy should give you the answer.