2020 Defense

[hapapp]

Signing day is just a month or so away. We probably plan to only take 3-4 more folks. So, the bulk of the class is already in place. Of course, that all depends on any commits that are poached. Frankly, the success of this class rests on the ability to close the deal on several OL prospects.

[AppSt94]

One thing to keep in mind for everyone is too let this play out. We may lose some guys, but we have backup plans and the backup plans for us have seemed to work out all right.

[EastHallApp]

Signing day is just a month or so away. We probably plan to only take 3-4 more folks. So, the bulk of the class is already in place. Of course, that all depends on any commits that are poached. Frankly, the success of this class rests on the ability to close the deal on several OL prospects.

And to keep the HC in place.

As long as we don't have more coaching turnover, I feel fine about the class.

[EastHallApp]

Hard to imagine us not having a stellar recruiting class. We really have it going on. Starting to see more of the 6’3” 230 lb type linebackers. Left tackle will be the huge position on offense. Looks like we are fairly solid at DB, linebacker and DE. Need to get bigger in the trenches. Those big dairy farm boys in Wisconsin will be a load next year.

I really don't think we'll look to get much bigger on the DL, at least at the expense of explosiveness. UNC and SC (and ULL for that matter) had massive OLs, but we've been able to use that against them with our quickness.

[The Rock]

As long as Drink and most of the coaches stay. We may lose an assistant or two, but I have faith Drink will be like satt in being able to replace good coaches with more good coaches. Quality OL is key in this class. Also hoping several of the OL guys red-shirting this year will be able to step up and fill attrition next year

[Yosef84]

Hard to imagine us not having a stellar recruiting class. We really have it going on. Starting to see more of the 6’3” 230 lb type linebackers. Left tackle will be the huge position on offense. Looks like we are fairly solid at DB, linebacker and DE. Need to get bigger in the trenches. Those big dairy farm boys in Wisconsin will be a load next year.

I really don't think we'll look to get much bigger on the DL, at least at the expense of explosiveness. UNC and SC (and ULL for that matter) had massive OLs, but we've been able to use that against them with our quickness.

I think the size of our DEs is fine but it would be nice to have a big NG on D. I would definitely like to see our OL get bigger by about 10 lbs per man, but I think that will happen. I wouldn't want to change the emphasis on athleticism on either side of the ball.

[EastHallApp]

Hard to imagine us not having a stellar recruiting class. We really have it going on. Starting to see more of the 6’3” 230 lb type linebackers. Left tackle will be the huge position on offense. Looks like we are fairly solid at DB, linebacker and DE. Need to get bigger in the trenches. Those big dairy farm boys in Wisconsin will be a load next year.

I really don't think we'll look to get much bigger on the DL, at least at the expense of explosiveness. UNC and SC (and ULL for that matter) had massive OLs, but we've been able to use that against them with our quickness.

I think the size of our DEs is fine but it would be nice to have a big NG on D. I would definitely like to see our OL get bigger by about 10 lbs per man, but I think that will happen. I wouldn't want to change the emphasis on athleticism on either side of the ball.

I'd love to have 6'5", 260 lb DEs. But we tried recruiting a few guys with that type of frame a few years back, and they didn't pan out. So I think we made a conscious decision to go back to the shorter guys with more burst.

[Black Saturday]

Signing day is just a month or so away. We probably plan to only take 3-4 more folks. So, the bulk of the class is already in place. Of course, that all depends on any commits that are poached. Frankly, the success of this class rests on the ability to close the deal on several OL prospects.

What does the portal look like? I'm sure we may lose some, but I'd expect our success to keep some incoming interest as well.

[Yosef84]

I think on Defense we rotate enough players in that we won't lose key players. On Offense, I'm concerned about losing WRs because of the strength of this junior class. Hopefully those talented athletes are willing to wait their turn and we will have a strong (and somewhat experienced) group to step in for the 2021 season.

[AppStFan1]

I would add stringer and Boggs to that list, maybe in front of Kimbrough. Putting them into the starting lineup turned the tide defensively that started us winning at the FBS level.

That being said, satt and drink have both done well recruiting, and while we miss seasoned vets, there seems to always be A very talented young guy that takes their place.

I almost put Law, Stringer, and Boggs but everyone I put either got drafted or got a contract with a NFL team. Another player who was a good LB for a couple years at App was Joey Hall.

[CornCobPipes]

We lose some really good players but Davis-Gaither is the real deal and will be hard to replace. He was all over the field In Columbia.

AKD is an absolute monster! One of the best LB’s to wear Black and Gold... And that’s saying A LOT.

GO APPS!!

I have seen a lot of them and I would say he is the 3rd best we have had. If I had to rank our top 5 it would be:

1. Dexter Coakley
2. Dino Hackett
3. Akeem Davis-Gaither
4. Rico Mack
5. DJ Smith

I would also give honorable mention to Joe DiBernardo, Justin Seaverns, Jeremy Kimbrough, Brent David.

Never forget JOHNNY LAW!

[AppStFan1]

We lose some really good players but Davis-Gaither is the real deal and will be hard to replace. He was all over the field In Columbia.

AKD is an absolute monster! One of the best LB’s to wear Black and Gold... And that’s saying A LOT.

GO APPS!!

I have seen a lot of them and I would say he is the 3rd best we have had. If I had to rank our top 5 it would be:

1. Dexter Coakley
2. Dino Hackett
3. Akeem Davis-Gaither
4. Rico Mack
5. DJ Smith

I would also give honorable mention to Joe DiBernardo, Justin Seaverns, Jeremy Kimbrough, Brent David.

Never forget JOHNNY LAW!

Law was good for us but the guys I mentioned all went on to the NFL. I was trying to think of not only the best players at App but the guys who had next level ability. We have had a lot of good linebackers.

I doubt all of them would have the numbers but I think all of our starters and a couple of our backups now would be among the top 10 all-time if given the chance in the SoCon like all those others against that level of competition.

[ericsaid]

This class looks good so far. But remember, Poaching season starts any day now.

Tommy Wright, App's highest rated commit, just got an offer from Tennessee.

Steady she goes.

[AppSt94]

This class looks good so far. But remember, Poaching season starts any day now.

Tommy Wright, App's highest rated commit, just got an offer from Tennessee.

Steady she goes.

This happened two days ago.

[Appster99]

This class looks good so far. But remember, Poaching season starts any day now.

Tommy Wright, App's highest rated commit, just got an offer from Tennessee.

Steady she goes.

You would have to have been a Tennessee fan since childhood to want to play there now. We are a Top 25 program who shut down a middle of the pack SEC team. Our stock is only rising. Winning is so much more fun then being Tennessee!

[AppSt94]

This class looks good so far. But remember, Poaching season starts any day now.

Tommy Wright, App's highest rated commit, just got an offer from Tennessee.

Steady she goes.

You would have to have been a Tennessee fan since childhood to want to play there now. We are a Top 25 program who shut down a middle of the pack SEC team. Our stock is only rising. Winning is so much more fun then being Tennessee!

Still not a P5. We can be proud of what we have but our nice things pale in comparison to the shiny toys of a P5.

[bcoach]

Hard to imagine us not having a stellar recruiting class. We really have it going on. Starting to see more of the 6’3” 230 lb type linebackers. Left tackle will be the huge position on offense. Looks like we are fairly solid at DB, linebacker and DE. Need to get bigger in the trenches. Those big dairy farm boys in Wisconsin will be a load next year.

I really don't think we'll look to get much bigger on the DL, at least at the expense of explosiveness. UNC and SC (and ULL for that matter) had massive OLs, but we've been able to use that against them with our quickness.

I think the size of our DEs is fine but it would be nice to have a big NG on D. I would definitely like to see our OL get bigger by about 10 lbs per man, but I think that will happen. I wouldn't want to change the emphasis on athleticism on either side of the ball.

If coach wants our qb to stand in the pocket our ol is going to need more than 10lbs a man

[bigdaddyg]

Hard to imagine us not having a stellar recruiting class. We really have it going on. Starting to see more of the 6’3” 230 lb type linebackers. Left tackle will be the huge position on offense. Looks like we are fairly solid at DB, linebacker and DE. Need to get bigger in the trenches. Those big dairy farm boys in Wisconsin will be a load next year.

I really don't think we'll look to get much bigger on the DL, at least at the expense of explosiveness. UNC and SC (and ULL for that matter) had massive OLs, but we've been able to use that against them with our quickness.

I think the size of our DEs is fine but it would be nice to have a big NG on D. I would definitely like to see our OL get bigger by about 10 lbs per man, but I think that will happen. I wouldn't want to change the emphasis on athleticism on either side of the ball.

If coach wants our qb to stand in the pocket our ol is going to need more than 10lbs a man

I used to think our offensive line guys were fine but it’s obvious now that we are in the new neighborhood (top 25) that we have to step up this aspect. Gotta get a little bigger. The physical 300 lb dudes are a must. The 6’2” 275 guys are good G5 types but that won’t cut it against the Wisconsin’s of the football world.

[AppSt94]

Our OL is fine for what we face week in and week out in our conference. Our OL has not been a problem with the likes of Tenn, PSU of SoCar. We aren’t going to get the same type of 300+ lineman that P5s are going to get. I will take 10 Noah Hannons all day long.

[bigdaddyg]

Our OL is fine for what we face week in and week out in our conference. Our OL has not been a problem with the likes of Tenn, PSU of SoCar. We aren’t going to get the same type of 300+ lineman that P5s are going to get. I will take 10 Noah Hannons all day long.

Agree on those points. IF we can get a bunch of NH types. I’ve said many times that when we face most of our peer group who have “huge” offensive linemen we typically run right by them because they are mostly just fat. Legit 6’6” 300+ guys are going P5 even to stand on the sidelines for 2 or 3 years. We need to stock up on the 6’5” 275 guys who get passed over, put them in our superb S&C program, get them to 295ish and rock on. We have guys on this board who worry to death about who will lose but I’m confident that the players we have waiting might be just as good or better. We aren’t gonna ever be Alabama good or Alabama deep but if we can continue as a top 25 that will be awesome.