Review: Going to cut to the chase and just come out and say the defensive line overall didn’t play well last year. Outside of a couple performers it was inconsistent and for the most part below average.
The brightest spot, Kyron Johnson, is gone. He earned an impressive 81.0 grade on the year from PFF and was the best player across the defense.
The player who I though showed signs of being a legit Big 12 inside guy was Caleb Sampson. His tackling grade was a 74.9 and that is something I think can get better this year.
Sam Burt provides experience and knows what it takes to play in the Big 12. But he was injured and only got in 83 snaps.
Here is a look at key snaps returning (most snaps from 2021):
Malcolm Lee- 491
Caleb Sampson- 432
Kenean Caldwell- 377
Caleb Taylor- 266
Ron McGee- 241
Eddie Wilson- 229
Going into spring: I think the biggest thing to talk about with spring football is two-fold: coaching and development.
From things I heard I expect to see a different unit with Jim Panagos on staff. I have talked to multiple people who said he is very good at getting the most from his players and developing them. I also believe with Panagos and Onatolu they will be more aligned with the defensive philosophy.
This is a big spring to get some answers up front. Getting Burt back will help a lot with someone who can give you snaps and depth. I have heard Caleb Taylor has added weight and that will be a big help because he had trouble holding his ground after moving inside.
I think Caleb Sampson could be ready to have a good year. He showed the ability to be disruptive and make plays and his senior season is shaping up to be his best.
My breakout player to watch is Eddie Wilson. I have heard he has all the tools and played through injuries last year. I also heard a coaching change may help a lot with him and I expect Panagos to assist with getting him back on track. The things I have heard lead me to believe if he plays to what is expected he should be a starter.
Tommy Dunn and D.J. Withers need to keep progressing. They have the ability they just need to get stronger to go up against Big 12 interior offensive linemen. I was told that Withers is approaching 280 pounds. If he can maintain his athleticism he played at in high school and add that kind of strength he will be a contributor.
Jereme Robinson is another player who could factor in because he can help at the strongside defensive end position or inside. Another Buffalo transfer Ronald McGee will also give help on the interior.
The biggest addition in the offseason was Lonnie Phelps. The things I have heard about so far since he arrived have me penciling him in as the starter. He will be the best pass rushing threat off the edge. Hayden Hatcher, D’Marion Alexander and Zion DeBose need to step up because Phelps won’t be able to do it all by himself.
The strongside defensive end has to get better play. Malcolm Lee has been okay. Not great and not bad. But they need someone to help with depth at the strongside end because there aren’t a lot of candidates. That position needs someone who has strength to hold up against guards, tackles, and tight ends. It is not a position that always needs to provide a pass rush but hold a gap.
The Outlook: Just going to be honest, I don’t know what to think of the outlook. They need to play better than last year, and I think they will. The fact they will get a full offseason with Matt Gildersleeve and then a spring with Panagos and Onatolu will help. But it is a lot of the same players back, so you hope to see improvement.
The depth is there. They have 14 scholarship players on the defensive line. Now, looking past 2022 they will need to replenish a lot of bodies because they will lose half of those scholarship players after this year.
The brightest spot, Kyron Johnson, is gone. He earned an impressive 81.0 grade on the year from PFF and was the best player across the defense.
The player who I though showed signs of being a legit Big 12 inside guy was Caleb Sampson. His tackling grade was a 74.9 and that is something I think can get better this year.
Sam Burt provides experience and knows what it takes to play in the Big 12. But he was injured and only got in 83 snaps.
Here is a look at key snaps returning (most snaps from 2021):
Malcolm Lee- 491
Caleb Sampson- 432
Kenean Caldwell- 377
Caleb Taylor- 266
Ron McGee- 241
Eddie Wilson- 229
Going into spring: I think the biggest thing to talk about with spring football is two-fold: coaching and development.
From things I heard I expect to see a different unit with Jim Panagos on staff. I have talked to multiple people who said he is very good at getting the most from his players and developing them. I also believe with Panagos and Onatolu they will be more aligned with the defensive philosophy.
This is a big spring to get some answers up front. Getting Burt back will help a lot with someone who can give you snaps and depth. I have heard Caleb Taylor has added weight and that will be a big help because he had trouble holding his ground after moving inside.
I think Caleb Sampson could be ready to have a good year. He showed the ability to be disruptive and make plays and his senior season is shaping up to be his best.
My breakout player to watch is Eddie Wilson. I have heard he has all the tools and played through injuries last year. I also heard a coaching change may help a lot with him and I expect Panagos to assist with getting him back on track. The things I have heard lead me to believe if he plays to what is expected he should be a starter.
Tommy Dunn and D.J. Withers need to keep progressing. They have the ability they just need to get stronger to go up against Big 12 interior offensive linemen. I was told that Withers is approaching 280 pounds. If he can maintain his athleticism he played at in high school and add that kind of strength he will be a contributor.
Jereme Robinson is another player who could factor in because he can help at the strongside defensive end position or inside. Another Buffalo transfer Ronald McGee will also give help on the interior.
The biggest addition in the offseason was Lonnie Phelps. The things I have heard about so far since he arrived have me penciling him in as the starter. He will be the best pass rushing threat off the edge. Hayden Hatcher, D’Marion Alexander and Zion DeBose need to step up because Phelps won’t be able to do it all by himself.
The strongside defensive end has to get better play. Malcolm Lee has been okay. Not great and not bad. But they need someone to help with depth at the strongside end because there aren’t a lot of candidates. That position needs someone who has strength to hold up against guards, tackles, and tight ends. It is not a position that always needs to provide a pass rush but hold a gap.
The Outlook: Just going to be honest, I don’t know what to think of the outlook. They need to play better than last year, and I think they will. The fact they will get a full offseason with Matt Gildersleeve and then a spring with Panagos and Onatolu will help. But it is a lot of the same players back, so you hope to see improvement.
The depth is there. They have 14 scholarship players on the defensive line. Now, looking past 2022 they will need to replenish a lot of bodies because they will lose half of those scholarship players after this year.
