Deepest DL in NU History?

[scru]

Is it just me, or if healthy, do the Cats have the most competitive depth on the DL ever? I'm very interested to see how the pieces come together and what the rotations will look like. We have been hearing "two pair and a spare" for a while now. At DE, again, if healthy, there could be legit 4 pairs. What do you think the rotations might look like this fall? Here is my guess at this stage, pure speculation:

DE 1s: Gaziano, S Miller
DT 1s: Thompson, A Miller

DE 2s: Brown, Carnifax
DT 2s: Oxley, Wyatt

DE Spares: O'Rourke, Goens, Kent, Gooden
DT Spares: Saunders, Spivak


At DE, there are so many intriguing questions. Who will step up an make a name for themselves from the group after Gaz and Samdup? Despite the depth, can O'Rourke force Fitz to play him based on his performance in practice?

At DT, I think the question is health. Will Saunders come back and be ready to compete? Is there enough beef in this group to hold the middle and keep our LBs clean and able to make plays in run D like last year?

As the O learns to adapt to life after JJTBC, I think there will be a lot of pressure on the D to keep the Cats in games. This will be even more the case if Clayton is not ready to go at the start of the season. I think this depth on the DL will be a key to getting us thru the first third of the season.

 

[MickeyCat]

Deepest indeed. Goens seems to me far higher on the chart than 3rd string. He ended last season great, and has had two great games in a row against Purdue. I'm predicting he''ll be on the field a lot this year, and will often play in the first series of defensive downs. https://nusports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4051

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

I think you need to move Goens up to 2nd team...he received fairly regular reps in front of Brown and Carnifax last season. Was just talking about Saunders yesterday, hopefully he is healthy and ready to contribute. Looking forward to seeing Big Jake clog the middle, he’ll be a real key to our DT depth.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I think Goens might be the 2 deep. Is Mark Gooden still hurt? Word was he was making strides before getting hurt. Leota is a probable red shirt, but with new rules, he may see the field.

 

[freewillie07]

Not sure anything has suggested that Brown is ready to take regular snaps. Seems like more of a pass rush specialist at this point.

 

[FloridAlum]

I think you need to move Goens up to 2nd team...he received fairly regular reps in front of Brown and Carnifax last season. Was just talking about Saunders yesterday, hopefully he is healthy and ready to contribute. Looking forward to seeing Big Jake clog the middle, he’ll be a real key to our DT depth.

You know, you could edit your post so that it says “was just talking about Saunders yesterday while having breakfast with my favorite person in the world “. Would you like for me to change it for you?

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

You know, you could edit your post so that it says “was just talking about Saunders yesterday while having breakfast with my favorite person in the world “. Would you like for me to change it for you?

xyzbob was in town?

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Pretty sure Carnifax will end up inside. Goens showed well second half last year.

 

[NorthNJCatsfan]

I think you need to move Goens up to 2nd team...he received fairly regular reps in front of Brown and Carnifax last season. Was just talking about Saunders yesterday, hopefully he is healthy and ready to contribute. Looking forward to seeing Big Jake clog the middle, he’ll be a real key to our DT depth.

I agree and am really hoping Saunders is one of those guys that explodes onto the scene. Hope your breakfast was full filling.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I live the depth on the DL, but it seems we have been quite deep here for several years now. Hoping that Brown and O’Rourke can live up to their billing while Saunders, Carnifax and Gooden can overcome their injuries.