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Top 5 DL Classes From Portal - Rivals
Posted on 2/24/25 at 8:11 am
Posted on 2/24/25 at 8:11 am
quote:
Ranking the top five portal DL classes
Adam Friedman • Rivals Transfer Portal
Teams around the country solidified the foundation of their roster during the winter transfer window. This week we're highlighting the best transfer classes by position. Today the defensive linemen are under the microscope.
1. Texas Tech
DL transfers: Lee Hunter, Romello Height, Skyler Gill-Howard, Anthony Holmes Jr.
This Texas Tech transfer class has been one of the biggest stories of this cycle. The Red Raiders loaded up on talented defensive linemen in the transfer portal and currently hold two four-stars in Hunter and Height along with two high three-stars in Gill-Howard and Holmes.
Texas Tech beat Texas and Florida State to land Hunter, a second-team All-Big 12 selection this past season. Height was a strong contributor for Georgia Tech last season and has one year of eligibility remaining.
LSU and Florida State had been pursuing Gill-Howard before he decided to commit to Texas Tech. Holmes showed his ability to get pressure on the quarterback while at Houston this past season.
2. LSU
DL transfers: Patrick Payton, Jack Pyburn, Jimari Butler, Sydir Mitchell
LSU has one of the best transfer classes this cycle and some of its most important additions are defensive linemen.
Payton was a star at Florida State and proved to be a game-wrecker when the offense didn't specifically account for him. Pyburn arrives in Baton Rouge having just completed a breakout season at Florida. Butler was a multi-year starter at Nebraska and a consistent presence in the backfield. Mitchell showed off impressive potential during his two seasons at Texas but LSU is hoping for more consistency from the massive defensive lineman.
3. Texas A&M
DL transfers: Samuel M'Pemba, T.J. Searcy, Dayon Hayes,, Tyler Onyedim
Texas A&M is sending multiple defensive linemen to the NFL Draft but coach Mike Elko and company have loaded up with multiple potential starters in the transfer portal. M'Pemba and Searcy each have star potential and should be difference makers in Texas A&M's scheme.
Hayes and Onyedim bring plenty of experience to the Aggie defensive front and each should see the field plenty during the upcoming season.
4. Virginia
DL transfers: Fisher Camac, Cazeem Moore, Hunter Osborne, Jacob Holmes
Four of Virginia's top seven transfer signees are defensive linemen so don't be surprised when the Cavaliers play much better upfront this season. Camac is the headliner of this deep group of four defensive linemen. The former UNLV standout had 34 quarterback pressures, eight sacks and 33 stops according to Pro Football Focus.
Over the last two seasons, Holmes has consistently generated a strong interior pass rush. Moore was named second-team All-CAA this season after racking up 38 quarterback pressures. Osborne was a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school but he barely played in his two seasons with Alabama.
5. USC
DL transfers: Keeshawn Silver, Jamaal Jarrett
There are other teams with more defensive line transfers but none with the size and potential of Silver and Jarrett. The two massive defensive linemen are expected to shore up in the interior of USC's defensive line. The Trojans' run defense was a major problem this past season, which is why they prioritized landing Silver and Jarrett.
After a sluggish start to his career at North Carolina, Silver blossomed into a consistent difference maker at Kentucky. Jarrett did not see much playing time while at Georgia but his talent and abilities on the field weren't the things holding him back.
4
Posted on 2/24/25 at 8:12 am to mpwilging
quote:
Mitchell showed off impressive potential during his two seasons at Texas but LSU is hoping for more consistency from the massive defensive lineman.
I get some sunshine pumping in articles but man this is some major sunshine pumping for a guy who played like 150 snaps over 2 years
I definitely trust Bo as he had this guy first hand on his previous roster and obviously recruited him, but I get the feeling they just wanted another big body NT type behind Guillory on this team without having to turn to a true freshman next season. I dont know that Mitchell is expected to contribute that much beyond being a rotational run stopper or a guy they bring in to put alongside Guillory on 3rd/short or 4th short high chance run situations.
This post was edited on 2/24/25 at 8:15 am
Posted on 2/24/25 at 8:43 am to mpwilging
Our DE group is pretty unreal IMO. Payton could easily break out and have double digit sacks and become a 1st round pick. I think Pyburn defends against the run as well as anyone I've even seen on the edge. Usually, those guys don't factor into the run game like he does.
Reliford is extremely talented and explosive. Butler is a guy who rarely gets mentioned, but started multiple years at Nebraska on a team that I thought had a good DL.
Reliford is extremely talented and explosive. Butler is a guy who rarely gets mentioned, but started multiple years at Nebraska on a team that I thought had a good DL.
Posted on 2/24/25 at 8:50 am to mpwilging
If we take any more transfers, I think DT needs a look. Games are decided in the trenches, and this is a rotational position. Right now we have:
Guillory- not sure what his status will be coming off an Achilles injury.
McKinley- great talent and potential, but some question his desire and consistency.
Breaux- played a lot as a tFr. last year but doesn't completely look like the position fits IMO.
Mitchell- hopefully an impact player, but a large unknown.
Washington- he was okay, but didn't get much PT last season.
Freshmen- Williamson, Brown, Mathis, Battle. I'm sure one of these guys will break through, but not sure who.
Guillory- not sure what his status will be coming off an Achilles injury.
McKinley- great talent and potential, but some question his desire and consistency.
Breaux- played a lot as a tFr. last year but doesn't completely look like the position fits IMO.
Mitchell- hopefully an impact player, but a large unknown.
Washington- he was okay, but didn't get much PT last season.
Freshmen- Williamson, Brown, Mathis, Battle. I'm sure one of these guys will break through, but not sure who.
Posted on 2/24/25 at 9:19 am to 304tiger
100% agree. I got down voted saying this a month or so, but think we need another DT. Edge spot looks good.
Posted on 2/24/25 at 10:20 am to KWL85
quote:
100% agree. I got down voted saying this a month or so, but think we need another DT. Edge spot looks good.
We've got wayyyyy too many DTs from a numbers standpoint as is. I get 4 of them are freshmen but 9 DTs is an absolute ton already.
Posted on 2/24/25 at 10:46 am to thunderbird1100
Zion Williams gonna surprise some people
Posted on 2/24/25 at 10:50 am to mpwilging
Reading this makes me want the new version of NCAA to be out
Posted on 2/24/25 at 10:55 am to 304tiger
Better LB and safety play would have made our DL, last year, look better
Posted on 2/24/25 at 2:46 pm to thunderbird1100
90 Jacobian Guillory, 6-2, 320, Sr.
96 Dominick McKinley, 6-6, 315, So.
93 Ahmad Breaux, 6-3, 285, So.
Sydir Mitchell, 6-6, 350, So.
95 Shone Washington, 6-4, 298, RsJr.
Zion Williams, 6-4, 342, Fr.
Brandon Brown, 6-1, 291, Fr.
Walter Mathis, 6-1.5, 286, Fr.
Dilan Battle 6-2, 315, Fr.
________________
Very few freshmen get much PT in the SEC. I like the freshman group, but not expecting much from them in first year. The big kid we got from Texas is over 350 lbs, so likely can't be an every down guy. He and Guillory likely share snaps, as long as Guillory is ready. I look at this group and want another experienced DT.
96 Dominick McKinley, 6-6, 315, So.
93 Ahmad Breaux, 6-3, 285, So.
Sydir Mitchell, 6-6, 350, So.
95 Shone Washington, 6-4, 298, RsJr.
Zion Williams, 6-4, 342, Fr.
Brandon Brown, 6-1, 291, Fr.
Walter Mathis, 6-1.5, 286, Fr.
Dilan Battle 6-2, 315, Fr.
________________
Very few freshmen get much PT in the SEC. I like the freshman group, but not expecting much from them in first year. The big kid we got from Texas is over 350 lbs, so likely can't be an every down guy. He and Guillory likely share snaps, as long as Guillory is ready. I look at this group and want another experienced DT.
Posted on 2/24/25 at 6:48 pm to KWL85
So McKinley and Breaux didn’t contribute last year? Lol
Posted on 2/25/25 at 5:41 am to 304tiger
quote:
Breaux- played a lot as a tFr. last year but doesn't completely look like the position fits IMO.
What?
Posted on 2/25/25 at 6:31 am to sunnydaze
I think he was put at DT more out of necessity than actual fit.
Posted on 2/25/25 at 6:50 am to thunderbird1100
quote:
get some sunshine pumping in articles but man this is some major sunshine pumping for a guy who played like 150 snaps over 2 years
I haven't watched him play but you have to remember how deep texas has been on the d line.
He is huge and needs to lose some weight.
Posted on 2/25/25 at 6:55 am to Chalkywhite84
quote:
I haven't watched him play but you have to remember how deep texas has been on the d line.
Mitchell didnt play much because he didnt play very well when he did play. His PFF grade was in the 40s this season, and i was way off with 150 snaps over 2 years, it was 53 snaps actually over 2 years.
It's not like he #3 or #4 on the depth chart, he got the 7th most snaps this past season of anyone on the Texas interior. he wasn't even close.
Again, to me this was a pretty clear pickup for a specialty role here. The guy is not going to play much in my eyes, but can be an experienced big body behind Guillory at NT as we need him in 3rd/4th short situations where we know they are running the ball.
This post was edited on 2/25/25 at 6:57 am
Posted on 2/25/25 at 6:59 am to 304tiger
quote:
I think he was put at DT more out of necessity than actual fit.
Except he played the 3rd most snaps of any of our DTs this yea and playe decently well for a freshman. Thats not a "necessity" move, he was just legitimately better than a lot of our DTs.
Moving Shand inside was a necessity because a starting DT got hurt in Guillory. They moved Kimo to DLine because he wasnt good enough to get reps on the OLine really but also wasn't on the Dline.
The plan was for Breaux to play DT ever since he got here.
This post was edited on 2/25/25 at 7:00 am
Posted on 2/25/25 at 7:00 am to KWL85
quote:
Very few freshmen get much PT in the SEC. I like the freshman group, but not expecting much from them in first year. The big kid we got from Texas is over 350 lbs, so likely can't be an every down guy. He and Guillory likely share snaps, as long as Guillory is ready. I look at this group and want another experienced DT.
Again, with 9 DT you already have 4 guys who probably wont play much if any at all. You add another that means 5 guys probably wont play much if any at all. We've got a ton of bodies, the only way I'd consider adding another DT is if it's truly an impact player, not another body like Mitchell.
From a numbers standpoint, we just have more pressing needs at other positions in the spring window, like safety.
This post was edited on 2/25/25 at 7:01 am
Posted on 2/25/25 at 7:20 am to thunderbird1100
We have guys that don't play much at every position.
Agree on adding another safety. Not an either/or thing.
Agree on adding another safety. Not an either/or thing.
Posted on 2/25/25 at 7:39 am to thunderbird1100
quote:
playe decently well for a freshman.
This year is CFP or bust. Really, we should make a run at the semis as well. When you look at the DLine for Ohio State, Texas, ND, Penn State, Oregon, and others, were their DTs described as playing decently well?
We are stacked in skilled positions including QB, but the game is trending back to high levels of physicality and strong running games. We have to be able to win both lines of scrimmage... run the ball and stop the run at high levels.
Posted on 2/25/25 at 7:42 am to KWL85
quote:
We have guys that don't play much at every position.
At some positions like OLine, sure, you have 5 starters and dont tend to rotate because you want your best 5 out there all the time pretty much. you need depth there because oyu have to develop young guys over time, etc...
DLine is different because you want fresh bodies out there and a bunch of guys rotate. But if you have 10 DT, you arent going to play all 10, you are probably playing 5 at most. This means 5 guys pretty much needlessly sit.
Point being we have bigger issues to address than adding another body who may/may not play much at DT. Again, you find an impact player, thats a different story...but when you look at safety you feel more comfortable with Jardin Gilbert potentially starting again vs. looking at what we have at DT? I feel like safety needs to be a top priority and finding a starter there. We're fine on the Dline and Bo knows what he's doing. Look what we were able to do there last year with a starter getting hurt for the season game 1. Meanwhile on the backend at safety/STAR we constantly got killed by their play.
This post was edited on 2/25/25 at 7:43 am
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