A look at numbers and fits for Texas defensive line targets
We’re getting asked a lot about numbers at Edge and iDL as well as how Texas’ main targets fit Pete Kwiatkowski‘s scheme. Fit is important to understand when assembling the class. You can’t fill up on 3-techs if you need nose tackles. In this class, Texas needs a little bit of everything so redundancy isn’t exactly a plus until initial needs are met.
We’re expecting a total of 7 or 8 takes in the class along the defensive line.
Let’s take a look at projected fit as well as numbers and needs. I’m excluding Terrance Hibbler and Isaia Faga because I don’t see either ending up in burnt orange.
Interior D-linemen
Expect two nose tackles/1-techs and two 3-techs/4i.
Malik Blocton — He’s a 3-tech, 4i, or even 5-tech against the run. His best position long-term is 3-tech.
D’antre Robinson — He can play nose tackle, 1-tech, 2i, or 3-tech. He’s similar to T’Vondre Sweat. He would have great length and athleticism for playing over the center but he could easily match with Jayden Jackson or Alex January if they were at 1-tech.
Jayden Jackson — Nose tackle or 1-tech, but athletic enough for 2i and even 3-tech depending on what the staff is scheming. He’s a powerful player.
Dominick McKinley — An obvious 3-tech in a four-man front or 4i in a three-man front. He’d be athletic enough to play jumbo Jack in a pinch. He’s similar to Alfred Collins.
Alex January — An obvious nose tackle or 1-tech.
Melvin Hills — Hills projects to 3-tech and 4i.
Edge
Buck is the outside Edge linebacker lined up to the boundary, Jack is the outside Edge linebacker lined up to the field. If you don’t know what field and boundary are, welcome to Inside Texas from the competing Texas sites.
Buck is typically smaller and more athletic while the Jack is bigger and more powerful.
Expect three total with at least one of each Buck and Jack.
Colin Simmons – A very, very high-end Buck just like Will Anderson. Texas leads.
Zina Umeozulu – He’s going to be on the longer and bigger end of the Buck spectrum. I don’t see him playing Jack, however. Texas leads.
Danny Okoye – Texas is recruiting Okoye at Buck but part of me wonders if it’s due to being the more alluring position. Okoye looks like he can grow into a Jack but he’s certainly athletic enough for Buck.
Nigel Smith – Smith was originally viewed as a 3-tech but that evaluation has been corrected to Jack. He’s the only one on this list who hasn’t OV’d yet.
TJ Lindsey – I have Lindsey listed at Edge because that’s the best fit within the class. He plays defensive end in high school. PK has used differing body types at Jack in the past. Lindsey could probably play there up to 285 pounds before eventually moving inside.
How it could all shake out
Hell if I know. The staff doesn’t even know at this point.
Looking at this you can see why Lindsey has a ton of value. He could help address early issues at Jack while developing into a very athletic 3-tech or 4i. That’s four years of value. He would also enable the staff to take a dream haul at Edge of Simmons, Okoye, and Umeozulu.
I also like Blocton’s versatility and apparent length and strength. He could even spend a year at Jack. The staff is looking for versatile chess pieces and both Lindsey and Blocton fit the bill.
If they want to be SEC ready in the trenches they need Jackson and Robinson. Jackson looks like he can play early thanks to his strength. Robinson certainly has the raw tools to survive playing early.
Because Jack is such a big need, I view Smith as a priority. If the staff lands Lindsey and cools on Smith then we have our answer on how they view Lindsey long term, or maybe even Blocton.
McKinley has a super high ceiling but I have some concerns over his floor.
Robinson has tons of value to me as someone who is easy to mix and match personnel with. Athletic enough for 3-tech, big and powerful enough for 1-tech.
Most of these guys are getting close to making decisions. Hopefully the staff has some very tough choices to make. That will be a sign they maximized their class. In any event, Bo Davis has good big board while PK’s is very strong.
UT is in great position to address its biggest class needs. Now we wait to see how it unfolds. The next couple of guys Texas lands or loses will bring a lot of clarity to the class.
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