Things I'm Excited to See | Rarely Considered Newcomers
by Seth C on Aug 17, 2011 11:00 AM CDT
in Texas Tech Football 2011
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PrintWith the start of the season right around the corner, I'm excited about a number of things heading into the season and I oftentimes think about what I'm most excited to see this year. These are the things I'm excited to see this year and absolutely will love to see what you're excited to see. The topics that I'll cover are the offense in general, the defense in general, the special teams, the newcomers and the veterans.
Wesley Is Only a Sophomore
One of the the things I was a bit surprised at when the 2011 roster was released was the fact that DT Dennell Wesley is only a sophomore (here's Wesley's DTN profile when he committed). I usually get a bit down on JUCO players because they only have two years to make a significant impact and more times than not, those JUCO players either tend to disappoint or just make an impact in their senior season. Wesley is the only 300 pound defensive tackle on the team. The biggest player besides Wesley are Pearlie Graves (285) and Chris Perry (286) just to give you an idea as to the type of spot that Wesley can fill. Wesley is a true noseguard and if he's in shape, he should be in the rotation relatively quickly. And if Wesley can take a double-team offensively, it should free up a defender to make a play. I'd also add that I've given way too much love to Leon Mackey before ever playing a down, but if Wesley can be a one or three technique tackle, he might have just as big an impact as Mackey, but won't receive the headlines.
Osunde Is Better Than Most Walk-Ons
CB Happiness Osunde (Osunde was formally "Junior" and his name now is "Happiness". This is the definition of awesome.) originally committed to Minnesota from Kilgore J.C., but if you remember back when Osunde committed, Osunde allegedly posted Facebook messages regarding a judge not letting him go to Minnesota and something to do with his past. I've never followed up on what that might be, I guess I don't have the time or inclination to do so. Either way, I don't know about any sort of situation regarding Osunde, so I'm just going assume that with Osunde being in Lubbock, this could benefit both Texas Tech and Osunde. I think that Osunde isn't your average walk-on as he has pretty good measurables for a cornerback and had been offered a scholarship at Minnesota. I mentioned in his profile that Osunde doesn't have a problem stepping up to support the run and he does play off the ball as a cornerback in JUCO, which I think is good for what he's going to be asked to do at Texas Tech. I could certainly envision a situation where Osunde is an integral part of the secondary for this year and next.
More after the jump.
Durham Gets One Year
How does the playing at Central Oklahoma University compare to playing in the Big 12? That's the big question for Giorgio Durham, who was COU's defensive back of the year, had 8 interceptions and 66 tackles. Here's Durham's YouTube just so you can see his athleticism:
You can see some athleticism, but it's against incredibly suspect competition and it's tough to figure out if Durham is as good as he is or if the competition is that bad. I have to think that he has to have some talent and Durham ended the spring as the second-team free safety. This is also a situation where Durham has one year to impress and make an impact as he's a senior this year. I don't know how well he'll translate, but he's obviously in the mix and if he's motivated, then perhaps he makes a big impact on this team. The one downside for Durham is that he's currently injured so he's got to get better in order to see the field.
Now it's your turn. Tell me what you're excited to see from some other rarely considered newcomers this year.
Previous "Things I'm Excited to See" on DTN: The Offense | The Defense
Previous Texas Tech Opponent Previews: Texas St. Bobcats | New Mexico Lobos | Nevada Wolfpack | Kansas Jayhawks | Texas A&M Aggies
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Excited to See:
offense, Amaro, Daniels, Marquez, McRoy, Williams, Doege, Kennard, Moore
Defense, Mackey,Smith, Simmons
Most of them are new or only showed a glimpse of how good they can be last year.
I also expect the veterans like Stephens, Torres, Davis and seniors like Franks, Swindall, Okafor to improve from last year.
Im sure we will learn a bunch of newcomers names as they make names for themselves especially on defense.
"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that it is nearly impossible to discern if they are genuine." - Abraham Lincoln
I think
He’s got great ball skills. Breaking on balls, catching balls at their highest point, etc.
However he looks a little slow
Arriba sus Pistolas, Muchachos!
by Tortilla Pirate on Aug 17, 2011 1:57 PM CDT reply actions
I think the excitement is hovering around whether or not the defense can really step up its on the field production. I don’t know. I feel good about Coach Glasgow and his newly minted 4-2-5.. I hope its not out of desperation that he got hired..its one thing to change because you must adapt it’s another if you just are changing because it’s desperate move to get something here in Lubbock that might work. The down linemen a combo of Mackey Smith, Perry, the new kid Dennell Welesly backed up by Hyder, Dartwan Bush, Rumph and Delvon Simmons (if he qualifies – news?) well essentially they must show out and make a quantum leap in pass rush effectiveness – if you don’t see 25 plus sacks by the 8th – 9th o r 10th game then you know – it’s the pass rush which is not real effective Tech is not dominating anybody defensively – and the team will limp along to mediocre 6-6 7-5 finish. On the other hand if you get that level of performance – those magic sack numbers then you’d expect that those were offensive opportunities removed from our opponents. Lowers the score and give the Tech offense that much more of a chance to reach the 2 x score lead and allow these front 4 to play downhill. It feeds off of itself. in their defense – the 2010 pass rush exposed them and they were dealing with 6 or 8 of the best receivers in the nation Blackmon(OSU ), Fuller , Ogneybule (sp) (aTm) Moe, Egnew (MIzzou – the only game Tech looked good on defense), M. Williams (TU), Flash Gordon (BU)(now off the Waco team), Broyles (OU) plus the no name Iowa State guys in reality the 2 x 2nd Quarter rushing TD both long runs sank the Raiders up in Ames.
The 2 x normal clean up hitters – the linebackers have much to prove. Cqulin Hubert and Sam Fehhoko, Equovan (sp), Blake Dees need to all be up in plus 60 range of tackles. I say that because it doesn’t look like that anybody is an every down John Saldi, Brian Duncan or Bront Bird type ..yet. So if they all play as you’d expect in this defense, that someone would spike out over 100 tackle if they were on the field 90 % of the time(like Bird). Since I don’t expect see this type of dominant LB this season – I trended them down below 70 tackles each.
The cornerbacks if any position got Tech Killed last year it was right here. Much is expected from these guys
So yeah excited to see the new defense attack and kill in practice ..but will it produce ?
"do routine things routinely"
Agree particularly on Wesley and Durham...
Not so sure on Osunde, but we will see…
I said it in another thread, Eguavoen and Pete Robertson were on my certain to redshirt list for this year. Its clear that neither will, injury permitting, so I am excited to see the impact that these two under the radar prospects have. Looking forward to 4 good years with them.
I'm Excited to See Anyone
in red and black on a pretty green field. I want a coherent offense and a competent defense. Tech must play to its competition this year and beat them all next year.
I am excited to see Eguavoen getting nice nice from the coaching staff....
I got pumped when his name came up with high praise because he is following Cq’s path, freshmen playing at linebacker in the Big12, they have to be showing real deal.
It also excites me to think that Marquez and Daniels are being groomed to play two positions on offense—again,
freshmen !!
Finally, I am excited to see DTN doing well, both for Seth’s prosperity and for my / our great entertainment, joy, and convenience.
Living large in Texas...Texas forever.
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