Defensive tackle

[CaneSince4Ever]

No disrespect, but not very much about our DT group screams "chance to be one of the top groups in the entire country". I agree with [MENTION=94]valid[/MENTION], I can see why other schools recruited Norton as an OG...no get-off, no hand explosion, I just wasn't impressed with Him at all. I will say this though, I think our DE group is one of the best in the ACC.

 

[Hurracanes]

A couple of years ago, DMoney started a thread that discussed the importance of the DL in College Football, and used the SEC as an example as to why they have been successful. Additionally, when Miami was in their prime and winning championships, we had whales (Maryland, Kennedy, Brown, Sapp, etc.) dominating the DL. This thread makes me feel a lot better about the direction of where the Defense is going.

Here is the thread. I think it still holds true.

Ohio State a really good DL in 2014 with Joey Bosa, Adolphus Washington and Michael Bennett, Alabama had a monster DL last year with Jarran Reed and A'Shawn Robinson. Clemson was also carried by their DL, which featured Shaq Lawson, Kevin Dodd and DJ Reader.

https://www.canesinsight.com/thread/common-link-champions/17109

Of course it holds true till today. I believe most championship teams, for the last 30 years, have had strong DL's. It really is Football 101. A strong DL controls the run, puts pressure on the QB, and forces the Offense to make mistakes and turn the ball over. It really is common sense.

On a side note, you wrote that post in 2012! Holy crap, I can't believe I remember that thread.

 

[Canezum5]

Why is it hard to believe? There is enormous talent at DT combined with experience and the best DL coach in the country.

Experience and coaching I get, but when did the talent happen? Nobody has said a kind word about DT recruiting or talent in at least 2 years, so I'm wondering what's changed? To be clear, I expect a bunch of improvement (exp&coaching), I'm just not getting why the guys everyone *****ed about last year are talented this year.

The talent is there. I don't much care what recruiting gurus say about the DT position. It's an incredibly tough position to predict from HS to college, and the bust rate is very high.

Look at some of the purportedly super blue-chip DTs we missed--Keith Bryant, Jay-Tard Bostwick, Valentine. We missed on those guys, and that's why our recruiting at the position has been ridiculed. As it turned out, sometimes the 2nd choice at DT is better than the first. Folden actually got lucky missing on some overrated slobs.

Spot on. Michigan State and Stanford seem to always do a tremendous job of finding under the radar types that turn out to be really good players.


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There's such a huge premium on grit at that position. It's almost impossible for fans to evaluate that off a few plays on a HS highlight reel. On top of that, it's tough to predict who is going to grow from a marginally athletic DE into a plus athlete at DT.

This is what I was trying to say about Sweat. Some guys don't have that "grit". They are good athletes and imposing figures but they don't have that nastiness too them and its hard to tell unless you see more than highlights.

Best way too tell if a dlineman has that edge, imo, is his Run stopping ability. Pass rushing is much easier than stopping the run. you got to be a man in that run game!!

 

[Paranos]

I would still like to see us take 2 DTs this year. Players in that position tend to go pro when they are ready and we are looking at a potentially shaky situation in 2018.

I agree 100% and I am hoping Miami starts pushing for 2017 SDE/DT Phidarian Mathis from Neville, LA. Under coach Kool this young man would be frightening. He reminds me of Michigan State DT Malik McDowell.

[HUDL]video/3/6291048/5721e5ec0dcb0d12f8892441[/HUDL]

 

[Colombie]

With better coaching, technique and tactical schemes I expect the whole defense to be better immediately. Not just the DTs.

 

[daddacane]

Moten and Jenkins are not very good.

Nobody would even recruit Norton for DT...only OG. He is starting because that's how bad our depth is.

Willis will prove to be the best player, and I've got my fingers crossed on McIntosh. These two guys are the only Miami calibre DTs on the roster....just two players.

This is still one the worst units in the power 5 conferences once you take the orange and green glasses off.

STFU, you know nothing. All 5 of those guys will be in the NFL.

I think you'll have to omit Jenkins from that statement...Maybe a fit in Canada..