A. Nelson is going to be a great rush end but we need Van Ginkel
- Thread starter terrehawk
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This is exactly how you lose recruits and don't get 4 stars in the future. You don't recruit a 4 star strongside Dend who is #1 at his position and #1 overall recruit in his state and move his position. The guy is like 6'5" 250lbs and athletic, you don't put him inside as a down d lineman. The guy has the skill, talent, athleticism, and potential to be an absolute stud don't mess with it.
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If we get Van Ginkel, he'll probably be starting on one end while Epenesa starts at the other end.
Wasn't Adrian Clayborn about 280 in college? If AJ is up to 270 that's fantastic, cause he's still athletic so that means he's stronger then a lot of guys. The guy is playing DE.
I wouldn't be shocked to see Epenesa at DT someday. He's about the same size as Lattimore and look where Lattimore ended up. And I'm sure Epenesa is going to keep putting on weight when he gets on campus. If he gets up around 300 pounds he's not going to be playing DE in a 4-3 scheme.
Anthony Nelson has 1 decent game against Miami of Ohio and now he's going to be better than Drew Ott shortly? Oh lordy
Call me crazy, but Iowa needs the best players they can get at every position. Every year.
DE is hardly different than any other position on the field.
DE is hardly different than any other position on the field.
Agree that it's premature to jump to that conclusion, but his 3-step get off is outstanding.
I was ridiculed for saying Boyle would never play QB at Iowa either.
I'm not saying it WILL happen, but I could certainly see aj move inside if he gets large enough.
If we get Van Ginkel, he will play opposite AJE at DE. Not worried about where our current players will play; if they are good enough they will still get PT whether at DE or at DT. However, I think they could get plenty of PT in at DT with Jaleel and Faith graduating. The fact is that our d-line needs to improve and new personnel might be necessary to take it to the next level, especially in terms of pass rush.
I feel like the staff has shown that generally the best linemen will play. I agree that the coaches realize that AJ will be used as a case study by other recruits (likely as will Eno). Moving him would be a mistake, but I won't worry about it until we have 3 starting caliber DEs on the roster.
Would love to have three or four starting caliber DE. That is a great problem to have and the makings of a great pass rush defense. No such thing as too much depth at defensive line.
AJ will move inside at some point in his career and I'd guess sooner rather than later. Gink will come in and be a situational DE next year and another year of Doyle and he'll be complete package as a senior. Starting line in 2018 will be: DE's Gink/A. Nelson DT's
Eppy/Lattimore Hesse - 3rd DE and M Nelson 3rd DT
Eppy/Lattimore Hesse - 3rd DE and M Nelson 3rd DT
AJ shouldn't get any bigger than 275-280 and should stay at DE. Top DE's are game changers.
Okay Hawk fans .... RE: AJ Epenesa
I don't dispute that Iowa wants Epenesa at DE ... and eventually he'll likely start there. However, let's suppose he's of the caliber of a Bosa or a Malik McDowell .... don't you line him up wherever you can to get him on the field AS MUCH and AS EARLY as possible?
Furthermore, if he can handle learning the different techniques ... and every indication is that AJ is a bright young man with a terrific work ethic ... then why not line him up at a variety of spots to generate mismatches? Bosa wasn't just lined up as a DE throughout his career. Similarly, other teams have lined up their top guys over the line in order to generate mismatches. Heck, in the past, Iowa has done the same too!
I don't dispute that Iowa wants Epenesa at DE ... and eventually he'll likely start there. However, let's suppose he's of the caliber of a Bosa or a Malik McDowell .... don't you line him up wherever you can to get him on the field AS MUCH and AS EARLY as possible?
Furthermore, if he can handle learning the different techniques ... and every indication is that AJ is a bright young man with a terrific work ethic ... then why not line him up at a variety of spots to generate mismatches? Bosa wasn't just lined up as a DE throughout his career. Similarly, other teams have lined up their top guys over the line in order to generate mismatches. Heck, in the past, Iowa has done the same too!
According to a local newspaper, AJ is 6ft5 270 going into his senior year of HS so, if true, it isn't hard to imagine him as an interior lineman at some point if he continues to grow. Definitely DE to start college though.
http://thetelegraph.com/sports/88352/all-american-all-samoan
http://thetelegraph.com/sports/88352/all-american-all-samoan
I would agree, at first thought, he is a DE all the way but what if keeps gaining with the lifting and maturing and can carry 290 - 300? An explosive DT would be nice as well! Either way - i'm just glad we got him and will be excited wherever he plays!
I know that this will never happen as long as Phil Parker is our DC, but with the emergence of Cedric Lattimore, it could be One Hell of a 3rd down Rushing package next year to try a 3-4 defense with Cedric at NT, AJ and Anthony at the 2 DTs, with OLBs Aaron Mends and Bo Bower and Nieman and Jewell as ILB. AJ, ANelson and Mends could make life very difficult for the QB. Hesse and Matt Nelson could be the DTs on running plays. If we could find another NT to spell Cedric, it could work. Amani Jones, Hockaday and K Welch could provide rotation at the LB spots.
That would mean an extremely unlikely switch to a 3-4. However, I was really impressed with Wisconsin's defense this past weekend. Stopped Fournette and totally harassed the LSU QB. That defense really takes advantage of the extra speed of those linebackers.
Pipe dream, I know...
That would mean an extremely unlikely switch to a 3-4. However, I was really impressed with Wisconsin's defense this past weekend. Stopped Fournette and totally harassed the LSU QB. That defense really takes advantage of the extra speed of those linebackers.
Pipe dream, I know...
Julius Peppers was officially listed at 6ft7 283 lbs by the Carolina Panthers, and 287lbs by the Bears and Packers, respectively, according to their official sites. I have never seen him listed close to 300. Also, Peppers is 2 inches taller than Epenesa.
If AJ is 270 right now, its not unreasonable to assume that he could start his freshman season at Iowa around 275-280. Most Iowa lineman gain significant weight after their arrival at Iowa - that's why it is not bizarre to speculate which position he plays during his entire career in college. On the other hand, it is entirely possible that AJ adds minimal pounds or stays the same weight and gets even stronger under the supervision of Chris Doyle......while getting quicker - now that is a scary good thought to ponder.
In 2011 ESPN analyzed NFL DEs and their changing role. The clear trend was DEs getting slimmer.
From 2001 to 2005, there were more defensive ends who weighed 271 pounds or more than there were who weighed 270 pounds or less. In 2006, the ratio of lighter to heavier defensive ends became almost equal, and the trend continued until those weighing more than 270 pounds have become a rarity.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2011/news/story?id=6410802y
Most NFL teams are likely to covet the DE/OLB hybrid type player who can speed rush the QB because as Herm Edwards notes: "you don't have to be a big guy anymore. If [defensive ends] can't play the run, teams can live with that. Just go and hit the quarterback." Van Ginkel is also that type of player IMO.
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Most gain weight because they are undersized when they get to Iowa because Iowa isn't getting ready made players like Bama or OSU. However, Epenesa is one of those 5 star ready made players. He isn't going to add 30 pounds and be a DT. I also doubt that he is 270 right now.
We need every explosive pass rusher (like Van Ginkel) that is willing to come here. You can never have too many defensive linemen or pass rushers. This is why Alabama is so good, they just throw elite athlete after elite athlete at you and everyone stays fresh.
A defensive end/pass rusher rotation of Epenesa, Van Ginkel, Hesse, Nelson, Nelson, Golson, etc would be awesome. Just imagine how good a 3rd down Raider type package could be with those guys all in the mix and staying fresh throughout the game.
I just don't think they need him. Would he be a good get? Yes. But they will be fine without him.
He reminds me of Suh. Suh came into Neb. at 6'4" 275 lbs. He excelled with shot and disc in track, played basketball as well. He left Nebby at 300. I'll put $$$$ he ends up as a 3 time ALL B1G performer at defensive tackle. I also think Iowa could move him inside and out especially with the position flexibility we have with other defensive linemen.
Do you have a source for that? It might be accurate, I just can't find an reliable source without pulling up all the rosters and doing the math.
It probably varies by teams also depending upon whether they play a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.
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