Roster going into the summer: The defensive line, for me, has a much different feel than it did going into spring. I know there are very little changes from a 3-4 to a 4-3 and coordinators can dress things up to make them look different. But I kind of like the 4-3 for some of the KU's defensive linemen.
Here is a look how the roster will go into the summer:
Defensive End
Steven Parker
Kyron Johnson
Zion DeBose
Hayden Hatcher
D'Marion Alexander
Defensive Line
Sam Burt
Eddie Wilson
Ronald McGee
Caleb Sampson
Malcolm Lee
Tommy Dunn
Caleb Taylor
Jereme Robinson
Kenean Caldwell
D.J. Withers
Jelani Arnold
Strengths and Weaknesses: I will start off with two weaknesses after going over each player and position. The first is losing DaJon Terry and Marcus Harris. I think they will be able to replace Terry pretty quick. But he was still a young player who they signed and developed. Those are the type of players you need at KU. Harris to me, is a bigger loss. I think his style of game was perfect for a 4-3. He would have been the ideal inside player who was strong enough to shade over a guard and had the athleticism to get in gaps and make plays.
I like the numbers on the defensive line and depth. It is actually a little surprising they can lose two starters and you still have a positive outlook. If there is one thing they have done in recent years it was build up some depth on the d-line.
I think there are some kids who will develop into players. I heard some whispers last spring that Caldwell was going to push Terry for a starting spot and might be the best true nose tackle on the team. The addition of Eddie Wilson and Ron McGee from Buffalo was big for helping with depth. I think Wilson will challenge for a starting spot inside but it won't come easy.
I heard last spring two players that had a good spring football season and off season workouts were Sampson and Lee. Sampson will be able to play inside and won't be forced to stay as a DE in a 3-4. Lee will be interesting to see where he goes. He is kind of a tweener at just under 260 pounds.
Another player who will help a lot this year and got positive reviews was Jereme Robinson. I think he will be a great fit for the strong-side defensive end. This kid is going to be good from all the things that I have heard. Caleb Taylor is in a similar position.
Then you have the ever-steady Sam Burt. He's been in the program for a while and will bring back the second-most snaps played of the linemen. Burt will also provide leadership among the group.
One interesting note is starting off D.J. Withers as a defensive lineman and not an end. The thought could be he will add weight fast to his frame. I thought he was an ideal 4-3 end, so we will have to watch how that develops.
The one player I have said all along I want to see how he progresses from his arrival is Tommy Dunn. He's been one of the players I was excited about because of what he can do at 290 pounds. He's very strong and moves around well.
The defensive end position I think will be more of work in progress. Kyron Johnson has all the tools to be a rush end but he's been moved back and forth so many times it will take an adjustment to go with his hand on the ground.
I think the 4-3 is an ideal position for Steven Parker because his strength has been rushing the passer.
Alexander at 215 pounds will have to grow into the DE spot to go against Big 12 tackles. I don't know how to project DeBose based on his past game film and coming off an injury.
The Outlook: I think the interior will be solid and there is some depth. They need two big bodies on the field instead of three. That will also help with depth and rotating. I don't know how Borland will use his ends. I assume he will use a strongside and weakside DE. The strongside is usually a bigger player that can play the run.
If you remember the KU defense under Bill Young he used Ashley as the strong side and Keith as the weakside.
I am optimistic about the defensive front heading into the summer and years to come. Everyone is eligible to return in 2022 except for Burt and Kyron. There are some players who can develop over time and round into quality defensive linemen.
Here is a look how the roster will go into the summer:
Defensive End
Steven Parker
Kyron Johnson
Zion DeBose
Hayden Hatcher
D'Marion Alexander
Defensive Line
Sam Burt
Eddie Wilson
Ronald McGee
Caleb Sampson
Malcolm Lee
Tommy Dunn
Caleb Taylor
Jereme Robinson
Kenean Caldwell
D.J. Withers
Jelani Arnold
Strengths and Weaknesses: I will start off with two weaknesses after going over each player and position. The first is losing DaJon Terry and Marcus Harris. I think they will be able to replace Terry pretty quick. But he was still a young player who they signed and developed. Those are the type of players you need at KU. Harris to me, is a bigger loss. I think his style of game was perfect for a 4-3. He would have been the ideal inside player who was strong enough to shade over a guard and had the athleticism to get in gaps and make plays.
I like the numbers on the defensive line and depth. It is actually a little surprising they can lose two starters and you still have a positive outlook. If there is one thing they have done in recent years it was build up some depth on the d-line.
I think there are some kids who will develop into players. I heard some whispers last spring that Caldwell was going to push Terry for a starting spot and might be the best true nose tackle on the team. The addition of Eddie Wilson and Ron McGee from Buffalo was big for helping with depth. I think Wilson will challenge for a starting spot inside but it won't come easy.
I heard last spring two players that had a good spring football season and off season workouts were Sampson and Lee. Sampson will be able to play inside and won't be forced to stay as a DE in a 3-4. Lee will be interesting to see where he goes. He is kind of a tweener at just under 260 pounds.
Another player who will help a lot this year and got positive reviews was Jereme Robinson. I think he will be a great fit for the strong-side defensive end. This kid is going to be good from all the things that I have heard. Caleb Taylor is in a similar position.
Then you have the ever-steady Sam Burt. He's been in the program for a while and will bring back the second-most snaps played of the linemen. Burt will also provide leadership among the group.
One interesting note is starting off D.J. Withers as a defensive lineman and not an end. The thought could be he will add weight fast to his frame. I thought he was an ideal 4-3 end, so we will have to watch how that develops.
The one player I have said all along I want to see how he progresses from his arrival is Tommy Dunn. He's been one of the players I was excited about because of what he can do at 290 pounds. He's very strong and moves around well.
The defensive end position I think will be more of work in progress. Kyron Johnson has all the tools to be a rush end but he's been moved back and forth so many times it will take an adjustment to go with his hand on the ground.
I think the 4-3 is an ideal position for Steven Parker because his strength has been rushing the passer.
Alexander at 215 pounds will have to grow into the DE spot to go against Big 12 tackles. I don't know how to project DeBose based on his past game film and coming off an injury.
The Outlook: I think the interior will be solid and there is some depth. They need two big bodies on the field instead of three. That will also help with depth and rotating. I don't know how Borland will use his ends. I assume he will use a strongside and weakside DE. The strongside is usually a bigger player that can play the run.
If you remember the KU defense under Bill Young he used Ashley as the strong side and Keith as the weakside.
I am optimistic about the defensive front heading into the summer and years to come. Everyone is eligible to return in 2022 except for Burt and Kyron. There are some players who can develop over time and round into quality defensive linemen.
