Is it just me or is NU going after a little lighter more athletic DTs

[dinglefritz]

than one might expect. I see Parrella's name as the lead recruiter on several different guys around the country and all of them are a little lighter than I envisioned. Most of them seem to be in the 255 to 270 range. The kid from Colorado listing a Bama offer is 6'4" and 315 supposedly and doesn't have a recruiter listed with his name from NU. You would think his size would be useful in the B1G. Maybe it's just a Rival's database artifact and Parrella's all over it regardless.

 

[Hoosker Du]

than one might expect. I see Parrella's name as the lead recruiter on several different guys around the country and all of them are a little lighter than I envisioned. Most of them seem to be in the 255 to 270 range. The kid from Colorado listing a Bama offer is 6'4" and 315 supposedly and doesn't have a recruiter listed with his name from NU. You would think his size would be useful in the B1G. Maybe it's just a Rival's database artifact and Parrella's all over it regardless.

The twins were right around that 260-265 range when they committed as well. I like it, because they come in with DE quickness and add the additional weight and retain the quicks.

 

[zamzman]

I don't believe it has been intentional. They're just going after players. Noah Elliss is HUGE and NU would like him. IMO it would be great to have a few big bodies like Noah. If we had a few like him, I could even see us playing a 3-4 on occasion. And sometimes against the power running teams, it's just better to have some real big boys in the trenches.

 

[TheBeav815]

You can add muscle with diet and lifting, but you can't teach raw athleticism. Especially at the 3-technique, a guy with burst, agility and moves is a big deal.

The kid who just committed will be a big ol' solid anchor of a nose. He really sinks down and eats up linemen. Didn't strike me as a dude who jumps out of the gym or runs down WRs from behind, but he's tough to move and plays with nice technique.

 

[Cornicator]

It's really about frame more than weight. If you are a lean 270 at age 17 with long arms and a long torso, you can add muscle and weight with ease.

This is a contradictory to guys like Thad Randle. He came in light, but wasnt genetically inclined to add much bulk. He was basically a starting Dtackle in the Big Ten at 5'11 287.

If you're going to target a 265 lb kid in high school, he needs to be a legitimate 6'2 or taller.

 

[dockentwo]

It's really about frame more than weight. If you are a lean 270 at age 17 with long arms and a long torso, you can add muscle and weight with ease.

This is a contradictory to guys like Thad Randle. He came in light, but wasnt genetically inclined to add much bulk. He was basically a starting Dtackle in the Big Ten at 5'11 287.

If you're going to target a 265 lb kid in high school, he needs to be a legitimate 6'2 or taller.

THIS is Perfect. You could watch Thad's HS film and he patrolled the field like a LB; which other than width, we have many lb's and even db's larger. WE are always looking at frame and even where they are in their growth maturity ( some
are going to grow two more inches ). Taking an undersized lineman and slapping a 100 pounds on him; may only add 30 pounds of good weight and you end up with; say your Center, being tossed when you play elite teams .
Parella lived this; a walk on who had the frame and grew into it and the system made him even more physical. Coach looks like he could play any sport athletically today - compare that to adding mostly fat and looking like 55 year old beer guts playing college ball. Mass only gets you so far, speed and explosive effort can help a player send the balloon flying.

 

[kaz36]

Nebraska's defensive scheme likes athletic tackles that can get up the field and pressure the QB. They want guys who can add some weight and still be quick off the ball. Convert d end type of guys into pass rushers.

 

[Hoosker Du]

You can add muscle with diet and lifting, but you can't teach raw athleticism. Especially at the 3-technique, a guy with burst, agility and moves is a big deal.

The kid who just committed will be a big ol' solid anchor of a nose. He really sinks down and eats up linemen. Didn't strike me as a dude who jumps out of the gym or runs down WRs from behind, but he's tough to move and plays with nice technique.

I love his quickness at the snap. Reminds me of Collins in that regard. I believe I read that he also ran a 4.61 forty, which is awfully fast for an interior DLineman.

 

[TruHusker]

The reality of is you talking anout 17 year old kids. The rare ones have the body at that age. How many 300 lb DT's do you know? I disagree they plan on kids growing 2 inches. They work with the frame God gave them at this age. Corn is correct in his body type assessment. You gotta have the frame which is not just height - shoulders, bone density, length, etc. If a kid is putting on 100 lbs and only 30 are "good" then you have a lousey strength program. With the supplements available, weight gain is much easier.

Every D1 team is looking to recruit that physically mature DT but there are only so many of those out there. It is a completely different world to go from DE to a DT. Everything is different. If you never see a HS kid play inside how will you know he has the ability to do it? You cant teach all of it.

 

[dockentwo]

The reality of is you talking anout 17 year old kids. The rare ones have the body at that age. How many 300 lb DT's do you know? I disagree they plan on kids growing 2 inches. They work with the frame God gave them at this age. Corn is correct in his body type assessment. You gotta have the frame which is not just height - shoulders, bone density, length, etc. If a kid is putting on 100 lbs and only 30 are "good" then you have a lousey strength program. With the supplements available, weight gain is much easier.

Every D1 team is looking to recruit that physically mature DT nut there are only so many of those out there. It is a completely different world to go from DE to a DT. Ecerything is different. If you never see a HS kid play inside how will you know he has the abikity to do it? You cant teach all of it.

All your points are good; what I said is some are going to grow two inches. This is a general statement; very few might grow more; some may not grow more. It is absolutely something they look at - many recruiting statements say " and he is not done growing "; its a very individual thing. I knew the level of fan here is up to speed and understands this.
I am not going to name any examples; but we have let some guys get a lot of bad weight on, even in recent past. In fact we may have a future star at guard that went so far as to join the wrestling team to reach his goals. I fully agreed with the poster as you did and like your points.

 

[TheBeav815]

Lots of kids will grow still. They are finishing up junior year, so they are typically 16 or 17.

 

[jflores]

It's by design. I believe it was in Thomas' post commit interview he said Parella prefers smaller more athletic guys with burst instead of throwing 700 lbs into the middle.

Obviously if you are a huge DT with the requisite athletic ability coach seems to be ok with that too.

 

[dinglefritz]

It's by design. I believe it was in Thomas' post commit interview he said Parella prefers smaller more athletic guys with burst instead of throwing 700 lbs into the middle.

Obviously if you are a huge DT with the requisite athletic ability coach seems to be ok with that too.

Well I'll take the guy that's athletic AND 310 every day of the week. Wisconsin likes to beat on athletic little DTs and last time I checked the road to the B1G CG has to go through the Badgers. I realize that they'll grow and get bigger but 260 up to 300 is a pretty big leap. IMO they need to get to 295 to 300 for the B1G and we need somebody to do it quickly. BTW if Thomas's reported 40 time is legit that is insane for a man that size.

 

[jflores]

Well I'll take the guy that's athletic AND 310 every day of the week. Wisconsin likes to beat on athletic little DTs and last time I checked the road to the B1G CG has to go through the Badgers. I realize that they'll grow and get bigger but 260 up to 300 is a pretty big leap. IMO they need to get to 295 to 300 for the B1G and we need somebody to do it quickly. BTW if Thomas's reported 40 time is legit that is insane for a man that size.

Don't quote me but I thought the magic number in the interview was 290.

 

[TheBeav815]

Don't quote me but I thought the magic number in the interview was 290.

Yeah, I'd say if you're carrying 285 or so of good weight, that'll serve in a gapping defense. Those dudes in the 90s were not going 315. Neither was Suh for that matter.