Immediate Need: Defensive Tackle Returners: Alex Balducci 6-foot-4, 297 pound (Jr.), Arik Armstead 6-foot-8, 296 pound (Jr.). New Faces: Stetzon Bair 6-foot-9, 281 pound (RJr.), *Jalen Jelks 6-foot-7, 253 pound (Verbal commit), *Tua Talia 6-foot-5, 265 pound (Signed Commit). Analysis: Oregon had better line up a few sizable commitments here as they look to replace twin 300-pounders in Wade Keliikipi and Ricky Heimuli. The Ducks have really only one true defensive tackle in Balducci, and will need some more players who can make an immediate impact if they hope to improve on their spotty short yardage and run defense, and be able to match up in the trenches against opposing teams with elite lineman. Credit: Fishduck http://fishduck.com/2014/01/oregon-ducks-football-four-key-positions-in-flux/
For the past 20 years, the Oregon Ducks have had no problem finding skill position players on both sides of the ball. The primary issue that has kept them from reaching the top of the college football world has always been a lack of size and power on the offensive and defensive lines. The Ducks knew that bulking up along the lines was the difference between being good and becoming great. Adding size, depth and talent to the defensive line became Oregon's No. 1 priority in recruiting. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ng-of-recruiting-bad-luck-to-have-an-elite-dl
I for one don't this this year recruiting class was talent rich with DT's. 7 out of 247 Sports top 100 were DT's and Brown was the best of them going to UVA. There were some decent DE's this year but no where near the classes of the last two years prior. Perhaps the Ducks will have to find a true diamond in the ruff this year. It appears Trey could come in and fit that spot nicely, Hampton if not for some reason we don't know could have been huge for us and this kid from Hawaii Ngata's cousin could be groomed into the exact type of player we are looking for. I'm glad we've seen the need for some power kegs in the middle who can get penetration and fill gaps, it's time!
Agreed. The entire defensive flow starts on the DL. When we have had undersized lines with open gaps, the LB's have to focus on run stop and the middle pass plays open up. The LB's also have to concern themselves with meeting the FB head on in the gaps if the DT has been taken out of the gap. Clay and Kiko were outstanding MLBs. They had the benefit of Keliikipi (300#), Heimuli (321#) and Remington (286#) locking down the line/gaps. Our LB's should have been much more productive this year with the DT's filling the gaps...I'm concerned what could happen this year with an undersized DL. We don't have time to develop talent or wait for 250-260 pound players to develop. There is an immediate need for size this year.
Scout/Educk article from yesterday: In desperate need of size on the defensive line, Lealaimatafao will also be a top priority for the Ducks. His 6-foot-1, 290-pound frame coupled with his explosive ability is exactly what Oregon is missing up front in this class, and what they’ll need more of going forward against opposing teams with bigger linemen. Credit: Educk http://oregon.scout.com/2/1369152.html
So much talk of Oregon desperately needing size in this class. Two weeks left....Be it SI, Fishduck or Scout...everyone is hoping we can get some size on the DL. If we can't...we might pay the price mid-season if our only true DT or Armstead fight an injury. Not a lot of depth and not a lot of size next year. Come on Ducks!! Stomp no, again they need the more talented guys and not to get hung up on traditional dimensions. As I pointed out earlier in this thread, Oregon had a very solid D that took them to the National Championship game recently anchored by a 6'7 270 lb. converted 2* TE from Idaho named Brandon Bair in the middle.
It's easy to say that we have to have size on the DL, but sometimes that just isn't possible. There are only so many talented D-lineman to go around. So if you can't get them, you have to look at undersized talent and go there.
Only 7 DT's out of 247 site even made the top 100, so it was slim pickings and the south once again got to eat first. It's likely we'll need to coach up some 3 star kids and make them great in two years or so.
