- Joined
- Nov 3, 2011
- Messages
- 5,866
Going forward, I think this unit will be much improved from a year ago, and may actually be one of the strengths of the team. Here's why I think this:
1) Experience - we should have four seniors in the two-deep in Darling, Linder, McDermott, and Odogwu. St. Louis and Gauthier will be juniors. Brown, though a RSoph, will be three years removed from HS and in his second year in our S&C program.
2) Depth - Finally we have some legitimate options at tackle, guard, and center. At tackle: McDermott, Brown, St. Louis, Milo, and a healthy Odogwu. We can finally move Darling back to guard (his $$$ position.) Gauthier was a mauler at center late in the year. Donaldson and Gaynor will play early - getting Donaldson in early is huge.
3) Health (for now) - getting Odogwu and McDermott healthy significantly upgrades our OL. Of course this will change, but going into spring with a fully healed OL is a big deal.
4) Talent - Believe it or not I actually think there's legitimate talent RIGHT NOW on the OL, with more on the way. Darling can/should be an NFL guard. St. Louis was pressed into action too soon, but came on strong late in the year and started to show why he was highly recruited. McDermott - when healthy - is talented. Odogwu was our best RT at the time before he got hurt. Milo was a 4* recruit out of HS and is just starting to flash some two-deep ability. And of course we just got a HUGE infusion of young talent in the 2017 signing class. Donaldson and Gaynor should both play this year. Herbert may play in 2017, but ideally he should redshirt, get in shape, and be ready to take a starting tackle spot in two years. Hillery and Dysktra will get bigger and stronger and should provide meaningful depth down the road.
We're still missing that "franchise LT" IMO. Herbert might be that guy, but not this year. I think we can roll with the guys we have in 2017 though.
I honestly believe this group has the potentially to be the best OL we've fielded in a while. With a new QB, we're going to need them to be!
1) Experience - we should have four seniors in the two-deep in Darling, Linder, McDermott, and Odogwu. St. Louis and Gauthier will be juniors. Brown, though a RSoph, will be three years removed from HS and in his second year in our S&C program.
2) Depth - Finally we have some legitimate options at tackle, guard, and center. At tackle: McDermott, Brown, St. Louis, Milo, and a healthy Odogwu. We can finally move Darling back to guard (his $$$ position.) Gauthier was a mauler at center late in the year. Donaldson and Gaynor will play early - getting Donaldson in early is huge.
3) Health (for now) - getting Odogwu and McDermott healthy significantly upgrades our OL. Of course this will change, but going into spring with a fully healed OL is a big deal.
4) Talent - Believe it or not I actually think there's legitimate talent RIGHT NOW on the OL, with more on the way. Darling can/should be an NFL guard. St. Louis was pressed into action too soon, but came on strong late in the year and started to show why he was highly recruited. McDermott - when healthy - is talented. Odogwu was our best RT at the time before he got hurt. Milo was a 4* recruit out of HS and is just starting to flash some two-deep ability. And of course we just got a HUGE infusion of young talent in the 2017 signing class. Donaldson and Gaynor should both play this year. Herbert may play in 2017, but ideally he should redshirt, get in shape, and be ready to take a starting tackle spot in two years. Hillery and Dysktra will get bigger and stronger and should provide meaningful depth down the road.
We're still missing that "franchise LT" IMO. Herbert might be that guy, but not this year. I think we can roll with the guys we have in 2017 though.
I honestly believe this group has the potentially to be the best OL we've fielded in a while. With a new QB, we're going to need them to be!