|
We're continuing our preseason position reviews. Please, hold your applause until we are finished. Here's how we do this. We provide three evaluative categories: "Great shape," "Good shape" and "We'll see." Hint: You'd prefer your team to be in "Great shape." "We'll see" doesn't mean you're going to stink at said position. It means just what it says -- we'll see, because there's no way at present to know. You can review last year's rankings here. Up next: Defensive end. And as we said before, this is a difficult position to stagger when teams vary their scheme between 3-4 and 4-3 looks. GREAT SHAPE  USC: Would we start with anyone other than Leonard Williams? Of course not. He was the only sophomore on the All-Pac-12 defensive team last season and he's out for a monstrous junior year, too. He recorded 13.5 tackles for a loss last season (including six sacks) and with the added depth on the D-line, he'll be an even bigger force this year. When Williams is out, look for Delvon Simmons to get in on the attack. Simmons, a Texas Tech transfer, has added 20 pounds since his sophomore year with the Red Raiders (in that season he tallied 27 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss).
 Washington: The Huskies will field the nation's top-returning sack leader, Hau'oli Kikaha. On the UW website, he's now referred to as an outside linebacker, but for the sake of this post, we're going to still refer to him as a defensive end because chances are that his responsibilities are going to be largely the same. Evan Hudson and Joe Mathis will also be names to know, but the headliner at DE -- undoubtedly -- for the Huskies will be Kikaha.
 Oregon: The Ducks have DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead. Those two are a talented pair that really came out this spring. Buckner has the most experience of the defensive ends and Armstead, who was a dual sport athlete (basketball) until last season, is now focused solely on football -- which showed. Plus, there's good depth behind those two with T.J. Daniel, junior college transfer Tui Talia and Stetzon Bair.
 Stanford: Between Henry Anderson, who could be one of the best defensive linemen in the conference, and Blake Lueders, the Cardinal are in a very good place. Add to that group players like Luke Kaumatule -- the converted tight end -- and Aziz Shittu -- who can play tackle or end -- and Stanford should be talented up front yet again in 2014.
GOOD SHAPE  UCLA: Between Owamagbe Odighizuwa (who's still flying under some folks' radars) and Eddie Vanderdoes the Bruins have two pretty good-looking bookends on their defensive line. Vanderdoes sat out during the spring because of a broken foot, but should be up and available come fall. Ellis McCarthy is a bit of a tweener, but he and Kylie Fitts should be able to contribute.
 Utah: Nate Orchard, who has 23 starts under his belt, is back for the Utes and will anchor one side of the line. Opposite Orchard is either going to be Jason Fanaika, the Utah State transfer, or Hunter Dimick. Orchard is going to be a force, and we have a feeling he's going to bring along whoever is opposite himself. The Utes have a good thing going here.
 Oregon State: The Beavers are in solid shape with Dylan Wynn on one side and the other side still up for grabs in a pretty interesting position battle between Jaswha James, Lavonte Barnett and Titus Failauga. James will most likely snag the starting spot officially by the fall, but the competition is good for all involved. Oregon State also built in more depth here this spring when Obum Gwacham moved from receiver to defensive end (incredible position switch but a tremendous athlete and jumper), so he should also provide a few interesting rotations.
WE'LL SEE  Arizona: The Wildcats lost Sione Tuihalamaka and only return Reggie Gilbert (34 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss) and Dan Pettinato (10 tackles). However, they got an offseason boost from the addition of LSU transfer Jordan Allen, who will be able to play immediately for Arizona. He only registered 16 tackles and two sacks last season while losing his starting job, but he'll bring experience and depth to the Wildcats' defensive ends. These three guys present a pretty intriguing position group, but there are still too many unknowns.
 Washington State: Xavier Cooper is moving inside to tackle, leaving the end spots up for grabs. Toni Pole and Destiny Vaeao will fit on the outside with Robert Barber and Lyman Faoliu taking some reps as well. There's just not enough experience or production (with too much of a history of not being consistently strong up front) to say this is anything other than a group that has lots of unproven potential.
 Arizona State: During spring season the Sun Devils lined up in a bit more 4-3 than we've seen in the past. This move puts Mo Latu and Chans Cox at the end positions. Marcus Hardison played a bit inside but finished the spring season as the No. 1 DE on ASU's depth chart, with junior college transfer Edmond Boateng as his backup. It seems as though the Sun Devils might show a few different looks this season, which makes the differentiation between whether a player is an end vs. tackle vs. whatever a bit more difficult. Overall there are too many questions lingering here.
 California: With new defensive coordinator Art Kaufman, the Bear defensive line is going to be experimenting in 2014 with a new version of the 4-3 this season -- the Miami 4-3 -- which leaves a few question marks until it's truly implemented into game situations. However, there's good talent and decent depth at the end positions for Cal. Brennan Scarlett, who missed last season with a broken hand, will be anchoring one end and will be backed up by Todd Barr and Antione Davis. On the other side, there's a position battle brewing between Kyle Kragen, Puka Lopa and junior college transfer Jonathan Johnson.
 Colorado: Replacing Chidera Uzo-Diribe is no small task for the Buffs and though senior Juda Parker returns (28 tackles) it seems like the other end position will be filled by a redshirt freshman -- Derek McCartney. And if that doesn't work out, true freshman Michael Mathewes could become a contributor (or at least a fixture in the rotation) for the Buffs. Youth isn't always a bad thing, but when it's filling in the spot of a player like Uzo-Diribe, a guy who played the most snaps on the Colorado defensive line in 2013, it's not great.
OTHER POSITION REVIEWS:
Quarterback Running back Wide receiver Tight end Offensive line Defensive tackle
|
