College football's most versatile players for 2021
Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 7:13 pm
It's an ESPN + Article, so you may not be able to read it:
https://www.espn.com/college-football/i ... ayers-2021
by Bill Connelly
Two Apps Named:
Beefy dudes who can rush the passer
Demetrius Taylor, Appalachian State. Aside from the quarterback position, it's hard to imagine too many players in this sport with more disruption potential than a 300-or-so pound tackle who can both blow up the interior of an offensive line with power and also shoot into the backfield with quickness.
Taylor might be the poster boy for this class of athlete in 2021. Signed as a 230-pound linebacker, the Miami native is now a 295-pound super senior who thrived in every possible way for the Mountaineers last year. He recorded 10 tackles for loss, made six run stuffs (stops at or behind the line) and, in 247 pass rush attempts, sacked the quarterback six times, recorded a 15% pressure rate -- generally speaking, anything over about 9% is good for a defensive end -- and forced 17 incompletions or interceptions. He's a nightmare.
Strong Blitzers who can also beat you in coverage
LB D'Marco Jackson, Appalachian State. Taylor, Jackson and solid safety play gave App State one of the best defensive spines in the sport last year. Jackson plays whatever role he needs to play: he made 11 run stuffs, recorded a 36% pressure rate in 33 pass rushes (2.5 sacks) and, oh yeah, picked off two passes and broke up seven more. Goodness.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/i ... ayers-2021
by Bill Connelly
Two Apps Named:
Beefy dudes who can rush the passer
Demetrius Taylor, Appalachian State. Aside from the quarterback position, it's hard to imagine too many players in this sport with more disruption potential than a 300-or-so pound tackle who can both blow up the interior of an offensive line with power and also shoot into the backfield with quickness.
Taylor might be the poster boy for this class of athlete in 2021. Signed as a 230-pound linebacker, the Miami native is now a 295-pound super senior who thrived in every possible way for the Mountaineers last year. He recorded 10 tackles for loss, made six run stuffs (stops at or behind the line) and, in 247 pass rush attempts, sacked the quarterback six times, recorded a 15% pressure rate -- generally speaking, anything over about 9% is good for a defensive end -- and forced 17 incompletions or interceptions. He's a nightmare.
Strong Blitzers who can also beat you in coverage
LB D'Marco Jackson, Appalachian State. Taylor, Jackson and solid safety play gave App State one of the best defensive spines in the sport last year. Jackson plays whatever role he needs to play: he made 11 run stuffs, recorded a 36% pressure rate in 33 pass rushes (2.5 sacks) and, oh yeah, picked off two passes and broke up seven more. Goodness.
