Linebackers - Derrick Graham

[NorCalRazorback]

I was thrilled with the Hogs got Derrick Graham last year.  I think he redshirted this year - or I hope he did... He's 6'4, and 250 lbs.. a big guy with good speed.  Does anyone think about him as someone that could be a beast this coming season?  Has anyone heard anything about him?  Did he redshirt?  I checked out Alabama's roster, they carry 20 linebackers... we carry 12.  Major difference.  This kid Graham looks like one of those big Bama guys... seems like we should find a way to get him on the field.

[Tortfeasor]

I'm most excited to see what he can do next season. Hope he breaks out and has a monster year.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Is he a LB or DE?

[NorCalRazorback]

He's listed as a LB and was a LB (Played the Mike, OLB, DE, and TE in High School) but LB was his best position and that was the big hype when they signed him last year.  OLB is my guess.

[ricepig]

I was thrilled with the Hogs got Derrick Graham last year.  I think he redshirted this year - or I hope he did... He's 6'4, and 250 lbs.. a big guy with good speed.  Does anyone think about him as someone that could be a beast this coming season?  Has anyone heard anything about him?  Did he redshirt?  I checked out Alabama's roster, they carry 20 linebackers... we carry 12.  Major difference.  This kid Graham looks like one of those big Bama guys... seems like we should find a way to get him on the field.

Bama also runs a 3-4, so they need more. We need 14-15 on the roster, including walk-ons.

[WaltonCollege]

Recruited Graham as a backer but he reported last summer like 20 lbs over weight so we switched him to DE. Robb Smith and Seagrest are grooming him to be a true pass rush specialist - think D Ware. Should play next yr on 3rd and longs if he progresses

[SooiecidetillNuttgone]

Recruited Graham as a backer but he reported last summer like 20 lbs over weight so we switched him to DE. Robb Smith and Seagrest are grooming him to be a true pass rush specialist - think D Ware. Should play next yr on 3rd and longs if he progresses

I hope this works out.  With this staff, I have more faith than in the past.

Unfortunately, the Queen song, ''Another One Bites The Dust'' comes to mind.  It seems like we have an unusually difficult time finding legit SEC LBs.  Many times they get moved to DE or end up being a backup only quality player.
  When we have two, that seems to be our ceiling.  The others are either young still or never pan out.

[longpig]

Recruited Graham as a backer but he reported last summer like 20 lbs over weight so we switched him to DE. Robb Smith and Seagrest are grooming him to be a true pass rush specialist - think D Ware. Should play next yr on 3rd and longs if he progresses

We're going to suddenly be overloaded with pass rushers this season like we were with receivers last season it looks like.

[WaltonCollege]

We're going to suddenly be overloaded with pass rushers this season like we were with receivers last season it looks like.

Yeah we have D Ends and outside rushers but we are thin on interior d line. Bijhon Jackson, Taiwon Johnson, Froholt, and incoming Guidry, that's IT! Capps may or may not redshirt but I'd like one more big D Tackle or nose guard in this class.

[Fatmanhog]

I'd rather have a big lb than another DE I'd like to have a legitimate run stopper. But that's just me.

[bennyl08]

Yeah we have D Ends and outside rushers but we are thin on interior d line. Bijhon Jackson, Taiwon Johnson, Froholt, and incoming Guidry, that's IT! Capps may or may not redshirt but I'd like one more big D Tackle or nose guard in this class.

We also have Marks, and TJ Smith, and possibly Brown and Hall. That's 10 guys on the inside including the freshmen.

Plus, guys like Beanum are as big as Philon was when he played here and we put in DEs on passing down.

[SooiecidetillNuttgone]

I'd rather have a big lb than another DE I'd like to have a legitimate run stopper. But that's just me.

I tend to agree.  If he's 255+ then trim him down to a good weight to speed ratio.  A big linebacker may not be a terrible thing to have as a good run stopper.  Ellis is a senior next year also.  We'll need a replacement for him.

[Lake City Hog]

Benny, what about Watts? and If Ledbetter gets any bigger I could see him going full time DT.

I just hope that Wise can turn it on for a full season! He could be the next Flowers, maybe better.

[tophawg19]

Graham is a LB  . Adding Ramsey and the others we are recruiting , we should be fine . Especially if we can Land Doucet .

[Country Stylz]

Yeah we have D Ends and outside rushers but we are thin on interior d line. Bijhon Jackson, Taiwon Johnson, Froholt, and incoming Guidry, that's IT! Capps may or may not redshirt but I'd like one more big D Tackle or nose guard in this class.

I'd like us to sign one more defensive tackle too.

[WaltonCollege]

We also have Marks, and TJ Smith, and possibly Brown and Hall. That's 10 guys on the inside including the freshmen.

Plus, guys like Beanum are as big as Philon was when he played here and we put in DEs on passing down.

Marks didn't even make the 105 last yr, TJ and Hall are DEs and unproven. Who is Brown? Beanum plays DE, but I did forget about Marks. He actually got quality PT against SEC teams this year

[WaltonCollege]

Anthony Brown transfered or so he tweeted. But once again he was D End anyway

[Bubba's Bruisers]

How was our pass rush form our DE's this past season?

[ICEman]

How was our pass rush form our DE's this past season?

Their passing rushing form definitely improved from the beginning to the end of the year.

[WaltonCollege]

minus the LSU and Tennessee game our pass rush was non existent this year

[RaisinHog]

He is a line Backer they swapped him and bell for like 2 days . then it was announced they moved back to.the way it was and as far as I know it is still Graham at line Backer Bell at DE

[bennyl08]

Benny, what about Watts? and If Ledbetter gets any bigger I could see him going full time DT.

I just hope that Wise can turn it on for a full season! He could be the next Flowers, maybe better.

I thought he already mentioned Watts. I Agree on Ledbetter.

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015/8/12/9129785/ranking-nfl-4-3-defensive-lines-by-weight-giants-heaviest-cowboys-lightest

In the interest of sourcing things, the average 4-3 defensive end in the NFL is 269 pounds with the LDE averaging 272 and the RDE 265. Thus, I think we have our DE's bulked up a bit too much, which you saw reflected in our line play. They were very strong and good against the run, but lacked the quickness to consistently rush the passer. It allows for greater versatility in where the player can play along the DL, but I think you lose some functionality.

Marks didn't even make the 105 last yr, TJ and Hall are DEs and unproven. Who is Brown? Beanum plays DE, but I did forget about Marks. He actually got quality PT against SEC teams this year

That was during camp and it wasn't for a lack of talent, just too many bodies and he had to cut somewhere. As you noted, Marks actually got some quality PT during the season. He came in here as a major project. A guy who had really good size and speed but was very raw as a player. You are right that Hall is a DE, but TJ as a true freshmen weighed a lean 283. That kid is going to be playing DT for us. Brown along with Hall was the other person I had question marks with and you guys are right, he is transferring out and was a DE.

I mention Beanum because at 280, he's bigger than Taiwan Johnson was when he switched full time to DT. Johnson was 255 playing alongside a 287 pound Philon.

Regardless, we have a 4 deep at DT, so we are not thin. Bjax, Taiwan, Froholdt, TJ Smith, Watts, Marks, Capps, and Guidry along with Ledbetter, Lewis, and Beanum who are big enough to play inside as well. Ledbetter played everywhere during the offseason, inside and out, and Lewis played some DT during the regular season as well.