The starting front 4 in 2008 included...
DE- Derrick Morgan, 1st round draft pick, just re-signed nice contract as free agent with Titans, 1st team All-ACC in 2009, 1st team All-America in 2009
DT - Vance Walker, 7th round draft pick, still in the NFL, 1st team All-ACC in 2007, 3rd team All-America in 2007
DT - Darryl Richard, 7th round draft pick, suited up a couple of seasons with the Pats before hanging 'em up, 2nd team All-ACC in 2008
DE - Michael Johnson, 3rd round draft pick, enjoying nice NFL career, 1st team All-ACC in 2008, 1st team All-America in 2008
That's impressive.
When you look at the 2015 version though, if we can stay healthy, we may one day in the future be looking back and comparing D-Lines to 2015. And, even better, there is nice depth as well. That's something just 2 seasons ago most all Tech fans certainly would not and could not say.
You've got two guys on the inside who will likely be drafted next spring in Gotsis and Hunt-Days. Behind them for now is Gamble who potentially is a starter on over half of the rest of the ACC teams. Gamble of course may show his versatility and move outside at times to give Coach Pelton and Coach Roof options.
Tech returns Freeman, a freshman All-American last year and who is just dripping with a very high ceiling. With the attention Gotsis and JHD will garner on the inside, Freeman should get ample opportunities to beat 1 guy to get to the QB. The old adage is that college players see their greatest jump in improvement from their 1st to their 2nd year. If that happens with Freeman, watch out! He could put up double digit sacks on the season (he got 4.5 last year).
Then, on the other end of the line, you've currently got Rook-Chungong as the starter at DE coming out of spring. RRC was the starter last year heading into August and into the first few games before Freeman won the job. And, again speaking of depth, you have an intriguing prospect in Whitehead who many Tech fans have been waiting with great anticipation to see what he can do. Size-wise he reminds me of Marlon Williams from the great national championship defense in '90. Somewhat skinny, but fast and versatile (can likely drop back into coverage if needed). And, as mentioned previously, Gamble can add size on the outside if ever needed as well. Simmons, Stargel, and Kallon all have solid experience to back up along the D-Line as well.
I don't think any of the incoming freshmen will be needed and can redshirt given the guys listed above stay healthy. The incoming guys are impressive though. It took a while with the transition from Groh's 3-4 to Roof's 4-3 to set up the D-Line depth, but I think we are now there. One of the best hires Johnson and Roof made was to lure Pelton to Tech. Very pleased his brief flirtation with Oklahoma ended quickly during the offseason.
They say winning the LOS wins games. With practically the entire O-Line back (and with 3 senior starters + 1 All-ACC candidate junior starter) along with the nice set up we have at D-Line as outlined above, if controlling the LOS indeed leads to great things, then 2015 should be a wonderful year for the Jackets.
DE- Derrick Morgan, 1st round draft pick, just re-signed nice contract as free agent with Titans, 1st team All-ACC in 2009, 1st team All-America in 2009
DT - Vance Walker, 7th round draft pick, still in the NFL, 1st team All-ACC in 2007, 3rd team All-America in 2007
DT - Darryl Richard, 7th round draft pick, suited up a couple of seasons with the Pats before hanging 'em up, 2nd team All-ACC in 2008
DE - Michael Johnson, 3rd round draft pick, enjoying nice NFL career, 1st team All-ACC in 2008, 1st team All-America in 2008
That's impressive.
When you look at the 2015 version though, if we can stay healthy, we may one day in the future be looking back and comparing D-Lines to 2015. And, even better, there is nice depth as well. That's something just 2 seasons ago most all Tech fans certainly would not and could not say.
You've got two guys on the inside who will likely be drafted next spring in Gotsis and Hunt-Days. Behind them for now is Gamble who potentially is a starter on over half of the rest of the ACC teams. Gamble of course may show his versatility and move outside at times to give Coach Pelton and Coach Roof options.
Tech returns Freeman, a freshman All-American last year and who is just dripping with a very high ceiling. With the attention Gotsis and JHD will garner on the inside, Freeman should get ample opportunities to beat 1 guy to get to the QB. The old adage is that college players see their greatest jump in improvement from their 1st to their 2nd year. If that happens with Freeman, watch out! He could put up double digit sacks on the season (he got 4.5 last year).
Then, on the other end of the line, you've currently got Rook-Chungong as the starter at DE coming out of spring. RRC was the starter last year heading into August and into the first few games before Freeman won the job. And, again speaking of depth, you have an intriguing prospect in Whitehead who many Tech fans have been waiting with great anticipation to see what he can do. Size-wise he reminds me of Marlon Williams from the great national championship defense in '90. Somewhat skinny, but fast and versatile (can likely drop back into coverage if needed). And, as mentioned previously, Gamble can add size on the outside if ever needed as well. Simmons, Stargel, and Kallon all have solid experience to back up along the D-Line as well.
I don't think any of the incoming freshmen will be needed and can redshirt given the guys listed above stay healthy. The incoming guys are impressive though. It took a while with the transition from Groh's 3-4 to Roof's 4-3 to set up the D-Line depth, but I think we are now there. One of the best hires Johnson and Roof made was to lure Pelton to Tech. Very pleased his brief flirtation with Oklahoma ended quickly during the offseason.
They say winning the LOS wins games. With practically the entire O-Line back (and with 3 senior starters + 1 All-ACC candidate junior starter) along with the nice set up we have at D-Line as outlined above, if controlling the LOS indeed leads to great things, then 2015 should be a wonderful year for the Jackets.
