I stopped by the TwoDeepVT podcast last night and shared some thoughts on the #Hokies transfer class. To listen:
Some highlights:
1) Even though all insiders on the topic indicate that James Djonkman will move to the edge, I struggle with one of the most productive run stopping MIKE linebackers in the country and moving them to the edge, especially when MIKE play was a defensive weakness. Djonkman has positional flexibility, which is a theme of this transfer group. I hope they use him at MIKE and then move him to the edge on passing downs, rather than just making him part of a five man rotation at end.
2) Ben Bell also has some flexibility to stand up, drop into the flat, or line up on the inside like a blitzing linebacker. He was second to Adbul Carter in QB hurries in 2023. But, because of size and how hard he rushes to the outside, there will be a period of adjustment for him to learn to spill the run in run defense, and teams will try to run speed draw and QB lead to his side. I think Gilliam will be inside of him when he is on the field versus a Laws or Nash.
3) Nash fits the mold of an undersized twitchy tackle who can get in the gap. Can he push back against much bigger OL if he doesn't beat a block cleanly. He doesn't anchor like a Peebles, but he does a great job getting initial leverage. I love Kyle Altuner's athleticism and finish. I think he is the jewel of the group even though Tomas Rimac is the experienced starter.
4) I think Terrion Stewart plus the WVU crew indicates a more inside zone focused run game. Stewart reminds me of Cedric Humes.
5)The safety room is loaded up with new bodies. My prediction is Reddish at field safety, Isaiah Cash and Christian Ellis rotating at boundary safety (and I believe Ellis can play at STAR, especially against run heavy teams) and Covil is a STAR. The more I watch Tyson Flowers, the more I think he isn't a fit, although he gives an experienced depth option at free. Both Cash and Flowers will have a period of adjustment to get accustomed to alley fits, as both played more as deep safeties/last lines of defense. Cash is a terrific form tackler, and Ellis is a heavy hitter. Covil is the best match cover guy.
Comments
Your football knowledge far outweighs mine but just knowing how Covil's departure from Clemson and portal recruitment went down, I would be surprised if Covil plays Star. He left Clemson partially because they moved him to nickel after his injury and he felt like it was a poor utilization of his skill set (which is backed up by his PFF grade).
It's my personal belief that Ellis gets moved to Star or a "big nickel"
I agree on Ellis. He played around the line of scrimmage, essentially the old WHIP linebacker vesus 2 back 1 TE personnel, on the vast majority of the snaps I watched.
Covil looked good at nickel. He got his most action against Appy State, but he looked like he belonged on that defense (PBUs and run support.) He also made tackles on the first two kickoffs. But, his usage evaporated as the season went on, and it isn't clear if that use was because he reaggrevated the injury or because he told them he was leaving.
Cash is in the Mose Phillips role IMO, with Ellis giving positional flexibility and depth. If Covil isn't a STAR, I am guessing he would be a field side, but I don't have insight into how they view him. I thought he looked good.
I'll also add, I think they move Djonkum around a lot. Don't know that we'll see him with his hand in the dirt much.
DJONKam????? I hardly know 'em!!!!!!
Do you want to also add any mildly informed speculation on who the DC will be???
I agree. Same with Bell. They can drop into short zones to allow more creative zone blitzes.
Djonkum really looked good at MIKE at Eastern Michigan. And it wouldn't be a bad thing for the new DC to blitz the MIKE more and the STAR less on passing downs. They were way too predictable and opposing OCs knew they could get their slot on the MIKE a lot.
I'm high on Clatterbaugh being a day 1 starter for us. If he proves me right, Djonkman as an edge makes far more sense.
I like Clatterbaugh, but Day 1 is asking for a lot. If he is in the two deep, that is a win.
Care to put a friendly wager on it?
I will walk through the cheese section at the Short Pump Wegmans if Clatterbaugh starts.
Remember, pics or it didn't happen. /s
I'll pony up $84 for someone's TKP membership (with the condition that it has to be a current VT student) if he doesn't. Winner will be chosen based off the funniest downtown Blacksburg drinking story.
Djonkam is really the only one I've gotten to watch a lot of. I think he makes a lot of tackles from the LB position, but a lot of those seemed to be the product of him having hung around long enough for everyone else to get blocked, and was in the neighborhood when the ball carrier got there. Being in the right place at the right time isn't a bad thing. It just often looked like he wasn't really contributing to his location, he was just there by chance. He still made the tackles when needed, which is more than I can say for last years crop.
His first step looks indecisive. I honestly think an edge role might free him up to just go, and not have to process.
Being in the right place at the right time would be a massive improvement over every linebacker we've had since Dax Hollifield graduated.
If we get someone from OSU running Knowles' 4-2-5, could Djonkam play the "Leo" or "Jack" hybrid DE position?