(08-06-2013 08:30 PM)Tulsafanzz Wrote: I've been surprised at how optimistic Coach B has been. He must think these freshmen & redshirt freshmen groups have a lot of good young players, especially defensive players. I sure hope that's the case because we will need several freshmen (redshirt & true freshmen) to step up in a big way for us to have a season similar to last season.
Here are some of our young defensive players to keep an eye on:
FR-RS CB Darnell Walker Jr.
SOPH. S. Michael Mudoh
SOPH. CB Darrell Williams
FR-HS DT Jesse Brubaker
FR-HS DT Lionel Phillips
FR-RS DE Cory Rahmings
FR-RS DT Jerry Uwaezuoke
FR-HS S Joe Bean
After one game, here is an update on these young defensive players :
Walker - started & played very well. I think he will be a very good CB.
Mudoh - 17 tackles in first game. He doesn't have McCoil's experience, but he has much better closing speed & he rarely misses a tackle. Give him Nelson as a partner & we would look solid at safety.
Williams - out for year with knee injury
Brubaker - started first game & appeared to play fairly well. We will know what we have in a few more games.
Phillips - backed up Brubaker, similar comments as Brubaker
Rahmings - hampered by injuries. Did play as backup in first game. No idea how big a contributor he'll be this season.
Uwaezoke - Don't know if he saw the field at BG. Very young for his class. Don't think he has developed as fast as we'd hoped.
Bean - Apparently redshirting. I still wonder why the hype on him died so quickly. He wasn't even mentioned at all in preseason comments by position (most true freshmen were mentioned). I will feel better if he is in uniform against CSU (even redshirts usually get to stand on sideline during home games).