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The game of football is won and lost in the trenches.
Cliché? Maybe, but coaches, commentators, and the real fans that know the game of football… they all say it. While most of the attention and fanfare is focused on the skill position players, it is difficult to win if you don't have the grunts to get it done along the line of scrimmage.
Over the past few weeks, there has been some frustration among the Fighting Irish faithful in regards to the current status of recruiting on the defensive side of the ball. More specifically, it appears as if the Irish coaching staff is under recruiting the defensive tackle position. Trust me, they're not.
The truth is, however, that the defensive tackle spot is the hardest position to recruit in the college game. Yes, you heard me right… it is harder to find quality defensive tackle talent than it is to find that blue chip quarterback, running back, or even a bookend left offensive tackle.
Why is that you ask?
Well, the first problem is finding guys with the needed size. The ideal size for the prototype defensive tackle ranges from six foot two inches to six foot six inches, with premiums being placed on those that are on the taller side.
The second problem is to find a guy with that necessary beef that has the quickness to handle the position. Take those requirements and then figure that most really big guys end up playing on the offensive line, and you can start to see why there is such a shortage for the position.
I mean, really… how many six foot five, 300 pound guys do you know that can run a sub 4.8 40 and have, what jiggafini19 refers to as that neanderthal gene? Answer: Probably not many. Many teams often try to convert offensive linemen to the defensive side of the ball, or try to pump up defensive ends and mold them into defensive tackles. Sometimes it works… many times, however, it does not.
So what do college scouts look for when evaluating a defensive tackle? Good question. Let's take a look at what Scouts, Inc. uses to evaluate defensive tackle prospects:
Since most college teams play the standard 4-3 defense, let's take a look at that:
Ideally, one of the defensive tackles is a two-gap-type run stuffer and the other is a quick, inside penetrator. Quickness is very important at this position, and many defensive tackles are very successful pass rushers because they play one-gap techniques and can put inside pressure on the quarterback.
Defensive tackles must be tough enough to mix it up inside and also stack and control the line of scrimmage. Quickness and explosion are the keys here, and one-gap, penetrating-type defensive tackles with some bulk coming out of high school are a sought-after commodity in recruiting.
Looking at our current defensive tackle situation and depth chart, we currently have Trevor Laws playing the run stuffer and Derek Landri playing the inside penetrator. Behind them, we have very little depth with several very young prospects including Derrell Hand and Patrick Kuntz. Of those two, only Hand played some DT in high school whereas Kuntz played defensive end and is a DE-to-DT conversion in progress.
Looking to next year if both Laws and Landri are gone to the NFL, we'll most likely see Derrell Hand replacing Trevor Laws and what looks like Paddy Mullen or Patrick Kuntz replacing Derek Landri. Added to that group would be any DT recruits taken in the Class of 2007, which the Irish staff would like to take at least three defensive tackles, possibly even four to provide depth to the position.
One last thing of note. Notre Dame does have one thing that other elite programs may not have, and that's a very favorable depth chart. Early playing time could be had, and that has to be enticing to potential recruits.
So, while it is slow right now on the defensive tackle front, things should pick up by the end of summer as some of the top shelf tackles give verbals. This will clear up the recruiting picture and you could see renewed interest from several prospects that are currently not considering the Irish. Additionally, you still have many prospects that aren't on the recruiting radar at all that will pop up during their senior football seasons.
In the end, Notre Dame will get their men. They may not be the big names currently being tossed about, but if you know one thing, it's that this staff won't settle.
Cliché? Maybe, but coaches, commentators, and the real fans that know the game of football… they all say it. While most of the attention and fanfare is focused on the skill position players, it is difficult to win if you don't have the grunts to get it done along the line of scrimmage.
Over the past few weeks, there has been some frustration among the Fighting Irish faithful in regards to the current status of recruiting on the defensive side of the ball. More specifically, it appears as if the Irish coaching staff is under recruiting the defensive tackle position. Trust me, they're not.
The truth is, however, that the defensive tackle spot is the hardest position to recruit in the college game. Yes, you heard me right… it is harder to find quality defensive tackle talent than it is to find that blue chip quarterback, running back, or even a bookend left offensive tackle.
Why is that you ask?
Well, the first problem is finding guys with the needed size. The ideal size for the prototype defensive tackle ranges from six foot two inches to six foot six inches, with premiums being placed on those that are on the taller side.
The second problem is to find a guy with that necessary beef that has the quickness to handle the position. Take those requirements and then figure that most really big guys end up playing on the offensive line, and you can start to see why there is such a shortage for the position.
I mean, really… how many six foot five, 300 pound guys do you know that can run a sub 4.8 40 and have, what jiggafini19 refers to as that neanderthal gene? Answer: Probably not many. Many teams often try to convert offensive linemen to the defensive side of the ball, or try to pump up defensive ends and mold them into defensive tackles. Sometimes it works… many times, however, it does not.
So what do college scouts look for when evaluating a defensive tackle? Good question. Let's take a look at what Scouts, Inc. uses to evaluate defensive tackle prospects:
1. Against the Run: Are they one-gap or two-gap linemen? Are they strong at the point of attack? Can they ward off blocks?
2. Pass Rush: Are they power rushers or finesse rushers? What pass rush moves do they show, and do they vary? Are they able to get good, consistent penetration?
3. Pursuit: Do they get over trash? Do they have the quickness to get to the outside? Do they show good effort in pursuit?
4. Tackling: Do they wrap up well? Do they tackle low or high? Are they able to drag down? Do they tackle with power and are they punishing?
5. Initial Quicks: How is their get off the snap? How are their feet? Do they anticipate the snap?
6. Recognition: Can they see blocks coming? How are their overall football instincts? Can they find the ball?
7. Neutralizing Blocks: How are they one-on-one? How are they against a double-team trap? Can they anchor?
8. Key and Diagnose: Do they read blocks well? Do they have a good feel and see the ball?
Easy enough, right? The defensive tackle position is one of the most physically and mentally demanding positions in the game of football and the fate of your defense can be made or broken by that position alone. Average defensive tackles can make otherwise solid defenses above average, above average DTs can make solid defenses great and elite DTs can make a defense legendary. They are that damn important. 2. Pass Rush: Are they power rushers or finesse rushers? What pass rush moves do they show, and do they vary? Are they able to get good, consistent penetration?
3. Pursuit: Do they get over trash? Do they have the quickness to get to the outside? Do they show good effort in pursuit?
4. Tackling: Do they wrap up well? Do they tackle low or high? Are they able to drag down? Do they tackle with power and are they punishing?
5. Initial Quicks: How is their get off the snap? How are their feet? Do they anticipate the snap?
6. Recognition: Can they see blocks coming? How are their overall football instincts? Can they find the ball?
7. Neutralizing Blocks: How are they one-on-one? How are they against a double-team trap? Can they anchor?
8. Key and Diagnose: Do they read blocks well? Do they have a good feel and see the ball?
Since most college teams play the standard 4-3 defense, let's take a look at that:
Ideally, one of the defensive tackles is a two-gap-type run stuffer and the other is a quick, inside penetrator. Quickness is very important at this position, and many defensive tackles are very successful pass rushers because they play one-gap techniques and can put inside pressure on the quarterback.
Defensive tackles must be tough enough to mix it up inside and also stack and control the line of scrimmage. Quickness and explosion are the keys here, and one-gap, penetrating-type defensive tackles with some bulk coming out of high school are a sought-after commodity in recruiting.
Looking at our current defensive tackle situation and depth chart, we currently have Trevor Laws playing the run stuffer and Derek Landri playing the inside penetrator. Behind them, we have very little depth with several very young prospects including Derrell Hand and Patrick Kuntz. Of those two, only Hand played some DT in high school whereas Kuntz played defensive end and is a DE-to-DT conversion in progress.
Looking to next year if both Laws and Landri are gone to the NFL, we'll most likely see Derrell Hand replacing Trevor Laws and what looks like Paddy Mullen or Patrick Kuntz replacing Derek Landri. Added to that group would be any DT recruits taken in the Class of 2007, which the Irish staff would like to take at least three defensive tackles, possibly even four to provide depth to the position.
One last thing of note. Notre Dame does have one thing that other elite programs may not have, and that's a very favorable depth chart. Early playing time could be had, and that has to be enticing to potential recruits.
So, while it is slow right now on the defensive tackle front, things should pick up by the end of summer as some of the top shelf tackles give verbals. This will clear up the recruiting picture and you could see renewed interest from several prospects that are currently not considering the Irish. Additionally, you still have many prospects that aren't on the recruiting radar at all that will pop up during their senior football seasons.
In the end, Notre Dame will get their men. They may not be the big names currently being tossed about, but if you know one thing, it's that this staff won't settle.
