I think we’ll be fine at the defensive tackle spot this year

Jones and Shand aren’t DTs

You are listing guys that aren't defensive tackles

Yep, and as I've said and you did, Shand and Jones will move inside...for sure Shand. Also, they will add one more DT transfer in May. DT will not remotely be an elite position but no one has studs at every position...not even Alabama or Georgia. The outside LOS players should be elite and I'm going to incredibly disappointed if the pass rush isn't near the top of the SEC instead of 11th in sacks like this season.

3 are DEs and 3 are freshman, love your enthusiasm but we ARE NOT fine

Anyone who thinks we’re fine at DT is delusional. We’re going to have a below average SEC defensive line this year unless we get a couple of big transfers from the portal in the spring.

Having bodies is one thing. Having guys who can actually make plays is another thing.

I think you are completely blinded by purple and gold glasses. If this were any other DL in the SEC you would be saying how terrible they will be and laughing.

quote:

---

We will have 9 defensive tackles this year and we had 9 on the roster last year.

---

While technically true, all depth is not created equally. Last year you had Smith, Wingo, Jefferson, Guillory, and Lee - all pretty big guys (Wingo being the smallest) and all fairly experienced (Lee being the least experienced, I think). Wingo still wound up having to play an absurd number of snaps.

This year you have Guillory, Lee, Washington, and the rest are either converting from DE or are incoming freshmen.

If McKinley comes in and contributes immediately, Guillory stays healthy, Washington turns out to be a legit starter, and one or both converting DE’s have success… it could be a very deep group.

OTOH if McKinley takes some time, Guillory gets injured, and we don’t get as much as we hope out of Washington/Shand/Jones.. DT could be a major liability.

I know that all sounds obvious but my point is just that there are a lot of unknowns with this group. I think it’s reasonable to be anywhere from concerned to cautiously optimistic but beyond that it feels like a crapshoot.

One thing we do know is that we have a much better coaching situation on the DL. Hopefully that turns out to be the difference maker.

Mckinley needs to grow up fast and be able to play 20+ snaps a game and Shone Washington needs to be the real deal or it's going to be ugly.

Recruiting experts kept hinting at a potential DT grad transfer in the spring that would instantly boost this position. But not going to count chickens before they hatch. Even without any transfers I believe Davis will make the current guys serviceable.

You also forgot to mention that we lost Maason Smith. Big body, big loss. It seems like you’re trying to sugarcoat what we have. A whole lot of hoping going on that Bo will max out everyone’s potential. He certainly is the caliber of coach to do that, but I think that we should have utilized the portal to bring 1 or 2 more experienced DT’s into our lineup. We’ll see. Gotta trust CBK