Wow, he has us with the #1 secondary in the league. I think this is going to be a much improved defense this year, but if the kids back up this ranking, it absolutely will be. I see his rationale, there is a lot of talent back there especially with the Tyrique addition, but nice to see him so high on that group.
4th best without pressure was something I didn’t realize. Maybe that will help with the loss of the edge kids.
That's that high grade right there. I think by the end of the year Avantae Williams will be a household name. His gear and play speed are at another level.I'm bullish on our secondary after spring. They were the strength of the defense last year and we bring back six upperclassmen.
These are our Top 10 DBs, with blue chip players (four star or above) in bold:
Tyrique Stevenson
DJ Ivey
Al Blades
Te'Cory Couch
Isaiah Dunson
Bubba Bolden
Gurvan Hall
Avantae Williams
James Williams
Kamren Kinchens
Wild to think with all the Rumph recruiting slander that we end up with top secondary.
I think adding Stevenson was a big reason for this.
When you skip games like Clemson maybe some things do look better.It was better than you think last year, surprisingly.
David Hale is one of the main ACC writers for ESPN, he just started looking position by position at the ACC. I’ll post his rankings/thoughts on Miami and we can discuss.
He started with the QBs. Here are his rankings and Miami thoughts:
This is probably pretty fair. Miami (King) at #3 behind Howell and Uiagalelei. Based off last season I think this is probably a good cut at it. Howell was really good, and DJ was sensational in his limited duty. But let’s see how Howell does with losing all his talented NFL weapons and King does with everyone back but Brevin.
YesSeems about right to me, I'm interested in the kid from Clemson. He's thus far gotten a ton of hype even being first team pre-season ACC from CFN. Is he that good?
I hate UNC...but if we're fair we've already seen what Howell can do without his weapons...cue up the OB game vs A&M...they'll have a deadly OFF this year as well. I
Side note: I do think we get them this year though and break the 2 game win streak
What are they returning on the OL?He had one of his worst games of the season against A&M. It wasn’t terrible, he’s a good player. But it was his lowest YPA of the entire season. Only his rating the first 2 games of the season were lower. Also Dazz Newsome did play in that game, he caught 6 balls for 68 yards and a TD. He is not retuning, he was a 6th round pick.
They scored 27 points, two touchdowns short of their season average of 41.
If that’s their 2021 offense, I’ll take it. But I’m sure Longo will have them ready and Howell is a year older. They’ll be good. But losing all those NFL kids, I doubt they’ll be quite as good.
What are they returning on the OL?
Wow, he has us with the #1 secondary in the league. I think this is going to be a much improved defense this year, but if the kids back up this ranking, it absolutely will be. I see his rationale, there is a lot of talent back there especially with the Tyrique addition, but nice to see him so high on that group.
4th best without pressure was something I didn’t realize. Maybe that will help with the loss of the edge kids.
Ive been on record in numerous threads saying this will be the best secondary we have had since 2005. I still stand by that. Everyone else sees it but our own fans...Ivey is the only weak link and T-Rob said he has the talent to have made All SEC last season. Bolden and Stephenson have All ACC/All American level potential. And if GHall gets it together.. WATCH OUT. Couch and Blades will also be big contributors along with AWilliams.
I really hope that with experience Ivey has improved his processing speed. I still see a guy who has all the measurables but is a step slow because he just does not diagnose situations quick enough to make a play as opposed to just making a tackle.I'm bullish on our secondary after spring. They were the strength of the defense last year and we bring back six upperclassmen.
These are our Top 10 DBs, with blue chip players (four star or above) in bold:
Tyrique Stevenson
DJ Ivey
Al Blades
Te'Cory Couch
Isaiah Dunson
Bubba Bolden
Gurvan Hall
Avantae Williams
James Williams
Kamren Kinchens
I go with the same starting cb's except I would have Couch as the nickel and Ivey as the first corner off the bench so long as Blades is healthy and ready to roll.Starting secondary, including striker, game one?
Ivey, Stevenson, Blades (health status?), Bolden, Gurvan (?), Striker Frierson.
A lot can change between now and the first week in September, obviously summer/fall practice will determine starters/injuries, etc. etc.
So since the defensIve backfield has been a big topic of this thread, was wondering what anyone else’s thoughts were regarding who they would project to be the starters in the defensive backfield.
D-line is another question for another post.
I go with the same starting cb's except I would have Couch as the nickel and Ivey as the first corner off the bench so long as Blades is healthy and ready to roll.
Safeties will almost certainly be the returning starters. What will be interesting as well is whether we start with a Striker (Frierson) or a wlb (Smith). Both were good and it seems wrong to keep either one off the field.
I'm interested in the battle at corner opposite Stevenson. Blades has been generally solid if underwhelming and while Ivey has had a knack for giving up receptions on plays where he could have made a play on the ball, he's statistically been the best in coverage overall. It's obvious that Couch is the best slot/nickel guy we have so someone is going to be on the outside looking in at either boundary or field CB.I go with the same starting cb's except I would have Couch as the nickel and Ivey as the first corner off the bench so long as Blades is healthy and ready to roll.
Safeties will almost certainly be the returning starters. What will be interesting as well is whether we start with a Striker (Frierson) or a wlb (Smith). Both were good and it seems wrong to keep either one off the field.