RE: Blue & Gold rated the DL and DB units 2.5/4.0 and the LB unit 3.0/4.0:
DL: Day, Jones, and Rochell were a force in 2014 and in my opinion, if Jones is 100%, they are as good as any trio outside of OSU and Bama in 2015. Okwara and Trumbetti are solid, and Ishaq should be an excellent addition. Tillery, Cage, Hayes, and Blankenship should help. I'd rate the DL a 3.0/4.0 ie playoff contention/top ten.
DB: Phil Steele ranks Redfield as his #1 FS, Shumate as his #11 SS, and Russell as his #7 CB. Luke was great last year and Farley, Tranquill, Butler, and Watkins are all impressive. I'd rate the DB unit at 3.5/4.0, ie top ten with five top aspirations.
LB: Jaylon Smith is as good as they get. That said, question marks abound everywhere else. Schmidt broke his leg and can't afford to lose any speed, Onwualu is more of a third down player, Grace has had zero luck staying healthy, and Morgan had a difficult time learning the system in 2014. I'd rate this unit 2.5/4.0 ie, Top 25.
B&G Rating Definitions:
4.0 = National Title Contention
3.0 = Playoff Contention
2.0 = Top 25 potential
1.0 = Too Unproven
DL: Day, Jones, and Rochell were a force in 2014 and in my opinion, if Jones is 100%, they are as good as any trio outside of OSU and Bama in 2015. Okwara and Trumbetti are solid, and Ishaq should be an excellent addition. Tillery, Cage, Hayes, and Blankenship should help. I'd rate the DL a 3.0/4.0 ie playoff contention/top ten.
DB: Phil Steele ranks Redfield as his #1 FS, Shumate as his #11 SS, and Russell as his #7 CB. Luke was great last year and Farley, Tranquill, Butler, and Watkins are all impressive. I'd rate the DB unit at 3.5/4.0, ie top ten with five top aspirations.
LB: Jaylon Smith is as good as they get. That said, question marks abound everywhere else. Schmidt broke his leg and can't afford to lose any speed, Onwualu is more of a third down player, Grace has had zero luck staying healthy, and Morgan had a difficult time learning the system in 2014. I'd rate this unit 2.5/4.0 ie, Top 25.
B&G Rating Definitions:
4.0 = National Title Contention
3.0 = Playoff Contention
2.0 = Top 25 potential
1.0 = Too Unproven
