blueandgoldblitz wrote:Hey Vim, this is going to be a fun question to answer I think. With all these guys coming in with position versatility, could you name where you think all of these guys would start in a defensive front seven 3-4 years from now? This is just for fun, I obviously won't hold you to any of this. I'm talking where you think guys like Derek Marks, Jobman, Benson, Gilman, Travis Yates and even Andersen (OLB/S? if he plays D) might play. I was thinking a fun 4-3 could be consisted of Hashley - Yates - Yates - Benson and the linebackers being Jobman - ? - Gilman. I'm not sure who would make a good MLB. And I'm not sure where to put Chapman and Marks.
I'll start with the Montana kids from the 2016 class:
Michael Jobman - At 6'4", 215 lbs., he has a ton of room to grow in his upper body. In a 3-4, he is a stand-up OLB who rushes the passer but can still drop back in coverage (a hybrid). In a 4-3, he could either be a defensive end or outside linebacker, depending on where you want to develop him. If we can get him up to about 245-250, he is going to be really good DE/OLB so I would develop him into a defensive end. Could potentially be the next "Buck" end.
Chase Benson - At 6'4", 245 lbs., he already has Big Sky defensive end size. However, I would develop Chase into a 3-tech. defensive tackle and get him up to about 270-280. He is really raw coming out of high school and he was still productive because he is so damn strong. Excited to see him develop because he has a ton of un-tapped potential that no one saw in high school. Will be interesting to see where he is at in two years.
Balue Chapman - At 6'2", 195 lbs., he is about the same size as Mac Bignell. Even though he was a defensive end in high school, I would be comfortable developing Balue at the Sam linebacker position. He is a good enough athlete to drop into pass coverage and he has a lot of natural ability as a pass-rusher so blitzing would be fun to watch.
Derek Marks - At 6'3", 230 lbs., he has a few options. You could develop Derek to be a strong-side defensive end in a 4-3 or 3-4, a hybrid DE/OLB in a 3-4, a pass-rush specialist in a 4-3 (currently our Buck spot), a 3-tech. DT, or even a Will linebacker. I see Derek as a future strong side defensive end in a 4-3 or 3-4 because he has the potential to get up to about 250-260. He is a strong kid up top and if he keeps getting stronger, I'm pretty comfortable putting him at DE.
Kyle Finch - At 6'4", 215 lbs., he is about the same player as Michael Jobman. Jobman did quite a few more things than Kyle in high school but Kyle moved from DE to OLB his senior season. I see him as a hybrid DE/OLB in a 3-4 or a 'Buck' end in a 4-3. Basically, the same as Jobman. We will have good Montana-player depth in the front seven in about 3-4 years.
Jacob Hadley - At 6'5", 205 lbs., he was put down as an "athlete" in this recruiting class. However, there have been some hints that he will start out on the defensive side of the ball when he arrives at MSU. Again, another kid you can develop into a few positions. Possibilities include a hybrid DE/OLB all the way to FS. If he does move to defense, I see him as a free safety. Personally, I hope he plays wide receiver.
The current 2017 Montana commits:
Jaxen Hashley - At 6'6", 260 lbs., he has position versatility all across the defensive line. Another kid that you could probably just choose a position and develop him. I would play him as a strong-side defensive end in a 4-3 and then move him inside on passing downs. In a 3-4, he is your J.J. Watt type defensive end. Can hold up against the run and rush the passer equally well. Total package. His best position might be as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.
Tadan Gilman - At 6'1", 205 LBS., he has versatility at all three linebacker positions or as a rover safety like a Tyrann Mathieu. He could be a Sam, Mike, or Will but I think it would be really interesting to see him develop as a strong safety because he is an elite run defender coming out of high school. If the coaches choose to play him at linebacker, I would develop him at Will. Great instincts and a good tackler equals a really good Will linebacker.
Troy Andersen - At 6'3", 195 lbs., he has gotten some looks as an outside linebacker. But I would develop him as a free safety or strong safety, depending on the scheme. If the coaches want to keep him light, the kid can cover a lot of ground at free safety but still be good enough against the run. But if the coaches want to add some weight on to him, Troy could turn into a really good strong safety covering tight ends with ease. Personally, I think he could be an incredible receiver, but if I had to put him in a spot on defense, it would be a free safety.
"There's two times of year for me: Football season, and waiting for football season."