The 5 defensive players that must breakout for defense to excell

[RickinDayton]

I don't believe anyone can justify those assumptions at this point. Players arrive with varying physical development and at different fundamental development levels. It will be a year or two before we have seen enough of the young DTs to have an idea of what the ceiling is for each of young DT's. Unless one just explodes onto the scene this season, which could happen. But we haven't even seen some these young DT's play.

Gilliam had an easier time getting to 300+ lbs and has impressed the coaches with his early practice and limited play such that they believe he is the 3rd DT at this point. I believe that's about all we know so far.

Andrews offer list was spectacular. UM, OSU, Oaklahoma, ND, Miami. But some of those offers were reportedly based on him playing OL. It was reported that he initially had trouble at PSU putting on the amount of good weight he needed to play DT.

Cook reportedly had offers from Bama, USC and Oaklahoma.

Wafle ended up at Michigan while also having offers from ND, Oklahoma, MSU and others, but not from PSU.

I'm looking for at least a couple of the 4 to form a good part of the PSU DT nucleus for the next few years as PSU will lose Durant and Ford after this season.

Regarding Andrews and his offers, as you stated, most were based on his OL potential. PSU was the school that agreed to allow him to play DT. I remain concerned about his weight - still under 300 lbs - at his height (around 6'5") he has to be heavier to have an impact and maintain a playable weight during the B1G campaign. His height would have been ideal for DE but he might lack the flexible bend and quickness/speed to play there? I hope to see him as one of the DT contributors this year and then come on strong in the upcoming years.

 

[GregInPitt]

Regarding Andrews and his offers, as you stated, most were based on his OL potential. PSU was the school that agreed to allow him to play DT. I remain concerned about his weight - still under 300 lbs - at his height (around 6'5") he has to be heavier to have an impact and maintain a playable weight during the B1G campaign. His height would have been ideal for DE but he might lack the flexible bend and quickness/speed to play there? I hope to see him as one of the DT contributors this year and then come on strong in the upcoming years.

Andrews is currently listed on the PSU roster at 6'4", 291 lbs, and could easily be over 300 lbs by Fall camp. His height may have been inflated in his H.S. bio which seems to happen pretty frequently. Given what was reported about him having to lose weight and then rebuild himself with muscle and now being only a redshirt freshman he seems to have his PSU career still in front of him.

I hope we get some info from Franklin during his media sessions during Fall camp as to how the young DT's are progressing towards getting on the field. But it takes some good questions from the media which in the past was a crap shoot.