How's Your Defensive Line?

[GeauxTo]

I believe the LSU Defensive Line is the best in the SEC. Kyle Williams (6’2”, 300, SR) and Claude Wroten (6’3”, 300, SR) are both great pro prospects and are preseason picks to make All-SEC and some All-American teams. Melvin Oliver (6’3”, 275, SR), Kirston Pittman (6’4”, 250, JR) and Chase Pittman (6’4”, 280, JR) will be battling for the two starting defensive end spots. Glenn Dorsey (6’2”, 300, SO), Marlon Favorite (6’1”, 315, RSFR) will be the two backup tackles. Charles Alexander (6’3”, 295, RSFR) and Tyson Jackson (6’5”, 290, RSFR) will likely be the two backup defensive ends, but Tremaine Johnson (6’2”, 265, RSFR), Tim Washington (265, FR) and Ryan Willis (6’3”, 280, JR) will have something to say about that. The 2005 LSU defensive line will have three seniors in Kyle Williams, Claude Wroten and Melvin Oliver, but the Tigers are loaded with young defensive linemen who will be able to replace the three seniors.

Here is a great link (http://www.nationalchamps.net/2005/unit_rankings/index.htm) that rates the top five teams at each position and LSU is receiving a lot of respect.
;)

[Jordan]

Not sure about our DL, but our DBs are going to be killer! And I just happened to notice that the rating site you linked to seems to recognize that as well. :) Link (http://www.nationalchamps.net/2005/unit_rankings/DB.htm)

Seriously though, we've got pretty much everyone returning.... Peprah, Harper, Madison, Simeon Castille. And I've heard that Castille has really stepped up a lot over the pre-season and should be able to really prove himself as one of the top DBs in the SEC this year.

[GeauxTo]

Not sure about our DL, but our DBs are going to be killer! And I just happened to notice that the rating site you linked to seems to recognize that as well. :) Link (http://www.nationalchamps.net/2005/unit_rankings/DB.htm)

Seriously though, we've got pretty much everyone returning.... Peprah, Harper, Madison, Simeon Castille. And I've heard that Castille has really stepped up a lot over the pre-season and should be able to really prove himself as one of the top DBs in the SEC this year.
Neat!
Did you notice they picked Alabama's DBs #1 and LSU's WRs #1.
Sounds like a collision of major proportions is on the way!
Hey man, less that 50 days until it all begins!
;)

[Foxman]

With 3 returning starters on the D-Line, You can expect the Big Boys on the LOS to be as mean as ever.

The Hawaii native and my personal favorite Jesse Mahelona( SR DT 6'2, 297 pounds) who led the SEC in Tackles for a loss with 18.5 in 2004, will be the anchor in this defence, and allow flexibility in blitz calls/coverages.

Senior DE Parys Haraleson (6'2 248) led the team with seven sacks last season, and is the guy to look out for if your a QB.

Martin, Tennessee native Justin Harrell ( JR 6'4 306) returns next to Mahelona at Tackle. Harell was the Cotton Bowl MVP last season against Texas A&M.

And SR Jason Hall (6'3 260) will most likely replace Karlton Neal at End.
As a back-up, Hall forced 8 hurries, and 3 sacks. SEC player of the week against Georgia.

[WDavE]

Auburn also sits pretty nice upfront......


SDE 54 Quentin Groves | 6-3, 243, So., 1V
48 Marquies Gunn | 6-4, 238, Jr., 2V

WDE 75 Stanley McClover | 6-3, 247, So., 1V
92 Chris Browder | 6-4, 247, Jr., 1V

(These four players accounted for 20 sacks last year. Two of our depth losses listed by everyone and every mag. shows two here?)

NG 58 T.J. Jackson | 6-1, 303, Sr., 3V
97 Josh Thompson | 6-1, 301, So., 1V

( T.J. is named to several watch lists and several SEC teams. Josh is the strongest player on the team and was called a co-starter with T.J in 2004. Josh had 23 tackles last year)

DT 96 Wayne Dickens | 6-1, 303, Sr., 3V
95 Pat Sims | 6-4, 293, Fr., RS

(This postion is open due to Ratliff moving on. A senor is available to replace him. Not much of down grade since Ratliff played there just one year. I would not be surprised to see Josh moved over to here.)

We have alot of young depth behind these listed. The one that will see alot of playing time is Neil Brown. Big enough to play some tackle and quick enough to play end. 6-4 260lbs and is my favorite young lineman. One of vocal leaders on the team as just a soph. Played in five games last year.

[AFWarrior83]

Our O-Line is sitting pretty well, our D-line is small but quick.

[JerryBeeds]

I honestly believe we have the most talented D-line we've ever had. Two monsters like Hall and Doughty in the middle with speedsters Coley and Silas on the ends. I posted a quite lengthy thread on the subject not too long ago.

[GamecockRapier]

I think Hall and Doughty will certianly make some noise and be a force in the middle. Coley and Silas are both speedy but undersized to me. If they can get the job done on the outside this will be a very good line.

[ColonelKurtz]

The SEC is truely blessed with stout DL's. The Dawgs have a seat at any table in such discussion however. Together for their Senior seasons, the inside tandem of NT Big Gerald Anderson and DT Kedric Golston are as solid and dependable as any. At DE, Sr Will Thompson goes into Fall a #1 as he seeks to regain his form from 2002 when he was Sugar Bowl DMVP. On the other side, Jr Quentin Moses is listed to take Pollock's spot and was very productive in '04 spelling both Pollock & Thompson. Top returning rotational guys are Jr Ray Gant and So. Charles Johnson at the ends and Sr Darius Swain, Jr's Marquis Elmore and Dale Dixon.

UGA may have two true Freshmen earn rotational play due to the numbers, Kade Weston 6-5/315 and Jeff Owens 6-3/280. Weston appears more ready to do so, but we'll wait and report.

My personal picks for having breakout years are Jr Ray Gant & So Charles Johnson. Gant can play either the T or the E in UGA's system at 6-2/280 and has arguably the fastest burst of any of the big guys. Remember #99, for that's Johnson and he has so impressed that he saw action in ten games last season as a true freshman.

[jneesy]

LDE 92 Wallace Gilberry (6-3, 254, So., 1VL)
91 Chris Harris (6-5, 244, Jr., 1VL)
86 Tramayne Wright (6-2, 240, So., SQ)


DT 99 Jeremy Clark ( 6-3, 305, Jr., 2VL)
50 Justin Britt (6-4, 294, So., 1VL)


DT 90 Rudy Griffin (6-0, 286, Sr., 1VL)
96 Dominic Lee (6-2, 303, Jr., 2VL)
54 Justin Johnson (6-2, 265, So., SQ)


RDE 47 Mark Anderson (6-5, 253, Sr. 3VL)
94 Keith Saunders (6-3, 246, So., SQ)
88 Stephen Kulback (6-3, 252, Jr., SQ)

gilberry is on the hendricks watch list but all in all a solid line with good depth and experience

the real monsters on this defense are in the backfield :eek:

[Jordan]

Hopefully Britt will live up to the family name over the next couple years. :)

[jneesy]

reports are he has been outstanding in summer workouts

never hurts to have another family legacy