Which Underclassmen and 2020 Recruits can help Defense next year?

[Otis]

Antoine Winfield II is not your average redshirt Sophomore when considering the draft.

1. He has missed the better part of two seasons due to injury. (yes, he could get an insurance policy)
2. How much further can he go in college? He's an All-American 1st Teamer and a Thorpe Award finalist.

I'm pretty sure he will be drafted higher than the 6th round, but his physical qualities are not going to get him higher than at most the third round. Honey Badger was getting poor draft grades because of his size when he came out as well. Look what he has accomplished!

I see Winfield being a 2nd day draft pick that makes the team and is a solid contributor for years! Another year in college will not make him any taller, bigger or faster.

He needs to go now. Good Luck Antoine! You will long be remembered at the U!!!

 

[CentralGopher]

Is Logan Richter someone that can begin contributing on the DL next year or is he likely a transfer candidate?. Kid has the size at least.

 

[MNVCGUY]

6th round grade? Was that from a mock at the start of the season? I just did a little Googlin' and everything i'm quickly reading looks like most people think he may be a late second or a third round pick. I would be pretty shocked if he doesn't go in the first 100 or so picks.

Don't have the link but it was a recent mock draft done by CBS sportsline I believe that had him going in the 6th round. Agree that feels way too low but always tough to know exactly how NFL teams are viewing players.

 

[MaxyJR1]

I fully expect our defense to be as good or better next year. We return MDT, Schad, Teague, Otomewo and Mafe on the d-line. That's 5 guys that played a lot of football for us and who should be better. Add to that group Ahanotu, who was the scout team player of the year last season, and 5 redshirt freshmen who were arguably the best recruiting class on-paper we've ever had. Carter won scout team defensive player of the year this season and there are strong reviews on Anderson, Cheney and others. I fully expect we are better on the d-line than this year and that we can redshirt all of the incoming freshmen.

I think we will be as good at LB. Oliver has loads of talent - he was much more advanced as a freshman than Martin was and he appears to have a higher ceiling. MSM played a lot this year, and between Willis and Gordon we should have a solid 3-4 guys to roll with.

The biggest question mark is whether Winfield comes back as we aren't going to replace his productivity. Nubin has a chance to be an all-conference performed eventually, but there will obviously be a drop-off. Everyone else is back in the secondary except Williamson, so we will need someone like Solomon Brown to emerge as a slot corner. Or maybe Durr plays slot CB and St Just and Thomas play on the outside.

Bottom line, I think d-line is better next year, LB's are as good or slightly better, and we have a drop-off in the secondary if Winfield departs. If Winfield is back, I think the defense is better overall and we have a great shot at another 10 win season.

Ahanotu is interesting to me. Was he injured this year or just didn't crack the line-up? I'm hopefully the defense will at least be as good as this year.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Is Logan Richter someone that can begin contributing on the DL next year or is he likely a transfer candidate?. Kid has the size at least.

He saw the field, so I assume he will be part of rotation next year.

 

[march madness]

I am hoping Otomewo comes into camp 10lbs heavier as a 6-6 285 DT as a jr. He is very atheltic and played well late in the year. Mafe is another player who could impress next year.