Daviyon Nixon: how big of an impact will he have next season?

[Franisdaman]

He seems to be the real deal and I am thinking could add a ton of depth to our DL.

How good is he?

As we know, Alabama offered recently but he will be In Iowa City in January.

Thoughts?

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

He seems to be the real deal and I am thinking could add a ton of depth to our DL.

How good is he?

As we know, Alabama offered recently but he will be In Iowa City in January.

Thoughts?

The first critical thing he does is that he offers some contrast to what we already have. He arguably will be the largest DT we'd have by next fall. We have a bunch of DTs who have seen quality reps ... but no single individual produced in the ball park of what Bazata had done. The DT effort was mostly a collective effort.

Hesse rotated to the interior and gave us reps on obvious pass-rushing downs. Reiff is another undersized "quick" guy who made an impact on the interior too ... but he did so more in a back-up capacity. The guys who were the #2s and #3s at DT were Matt Nelson and Ced Lattimore.

At the very least Nixon ups the level of competition. Depending on how he picks up the D over the next two camps ... AND based on how he transitions academically ... those factors will determine how much he can contribute on the gridiron.

Given our willingness to rotate guys ... he could play if he lands among the top 4 or 5 guys we have at DT.

 

[cmhawks99]

The first critical thing he does is that he offers some contrast to what we already have. He arguably will be the largest DT we'd have by next fall. We have a bunch of DTs who have seen quality reps ... but no single individual produced in the ball park of what Bazata had done. The DT effort was mostly a collective effort.

Hesse rotated to the interior and gave us reps on obvious pass-rushing downs. Reiff is another undersized "quick" guy who made an impact on the interior too ... but he did so more in a back-up capacity. The guys who were the #2s and #3s at DT were Matt Nelson and Ced Lattimore.

At the very least Nixon ups the level of competition. Depending on how he picks up the D over the next two camps ... AND based on how he transitions academically ... those factors will determine how much he can contribute on the gridiron.

Given our willingness to rotate guys ... he could play if he lands among the top 4 or 5 guys we have at DT.

Agreed and if he shows the capacity to perform we definitely know he'll play!

 

[nu2u]

I'm sure there are others here that have been around awhile and have a better memory but I can't think of a defensive line with more quality depth (assuming everyone stays and signs) going back almost 30 years. I suspect that Nixon will be fighting for a back-up spot next year as far as the two-deeps is concerned. Morgan and Parker like to use a heavy rotation if the personnel allows. If he is a quick learner I have no doubt he will be in that rotation..

ghostofHomer - what are your thoughts of AJ Epenesa moving to DT? I've thought all along that he would eventually move inside. Looks more likely now IMO with the experience returning at DE and the addition of Waggoner.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Competitive depth is huge. I think this guy walks in and competes for #1 day 1.

 

[dbrocket]

I love Nixon, and think he'll be great eventually, but I think he redshirtsin 2018. My eye says he needs to get better burst off the ball and there will be other technique work.

 

[cmhawks99]

I'm sure there are others here that have been around awhile and have a better memory but I can't think of a defensive line with more quality depth (assuming everyone stays and signs) going back almost 30 years. I suspect that Nixon will be fighting for a back-up spot next year as far as the two-deeps is concerned. Morgan and Parker like to use a heavy rotation if the personnel allows. If he is a quick learner I have no doubt he will be in that rotation..

ghostofHomer - what are your thoughts of AJ Epenesa moving to DT? I've thought all along that he would eventually move inside. Looks more likely now IMO with the experience returning at DE and the addition of Waggoner.

Using intuition and reading between the lines I don't get the impression waggonert is a plug-and-play player.

And that is only based on the fact that I can't see them potentially switching gears and not taking a player that they thought was an immediate impact guy like it appears they did with him!

 

[cmhawks99]

I'm sure there are others here that have been around awhile and have a better memory but I can't think of a defensive line with more quality depth (assuming everyone stays and signs) going back almost 30 years. I suspect that Nixon will be fighting for a back-up spot next year as far as the two-deeps is concerned. Morgan and Parker like to use a heavy rotation if the personnel allows. If he is a quick learner I have no doubt he will be in that rotation..

ghostofHomer - what are your thoughts of AJ Epenesa moving to DT? I've thought all along that he would eventually move inside. Looks more likely now IMO with the experience returning at DE and the addition of Waggoner.

Incidentally your defensive line comment I believe is valid. I think we have the best defensive personnel now we have ever had and that is saying a ton....2 & 3 deep

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

ghostofHomer - what are your thoughts of AJ Epenesa moving to DT? I've thought all along that he would eventually move inside. Looks more likely now IMO with the experience returning at DE and the addition of Waggoner.

In the next day or two I'm going to post a piece breaking down a lot of stats relating to the DL disruption numbers ... but the punch-line is that Iowa's 2017 DL had A LOT of QB hurries and pass break-ups. That's in addition to the fact that the sack numbers weren't even all that shabby. That sort of disruption plays hand-in-hand with the secondary play ... the secondary play helped get sacks ... the disruption by the DL contributed to many of the picks.

I honestly believe that Epenesa's disruptiveness will be aided the most by learning his trade well first ... and that is best done with him sticking to a particular position. I believe that we'll likely really see AJ bloom at DE for us as he continues to learn how to play his responsibility ... and play it faster and with even better technique. Only after he really gets down his base responsibility will we see the coaches move him around more and have him rotate some to the interior ... and, even then, I anticipate that where they line up AJ will likely be to draw the best match-ups.

Given that Hesse is a veteran and has already been seeing a healthy number of reps on the interior ... I anticipate Hesse continuing to see split reps at DE and DT. The development of Golston and Epenesa might press the issue further and lead Hesse to even see an increased role on the interior.

While I'm as excited as anybody about the size, speed, and explosiveness of Nixon ... I'm cautiously optimistic about the development of Lattimore. Lattimore's production, as a true sophomore, in the #2/#3 DT spot in a very active rotation was actually quite similar to Johnson's production as a RS SO, in the #3 DT spot (the top back-up DT). Jaleel was a bigger bodied guy and had something like 1 more TFL ... but Lattimore had more QB hurries. It will be interesting to see if Lattimore can take the next step in his development and make the same sort of jump as a JR that Jaleel made.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Incidentally your defensive line comment I believe is valid. I think we have the best defensive personnel now we have ever had and that is saying a ton....2 & 3 deep

The fact that Matt Roth was a 2nd string DE in 2002 speaks volumes about the quality of our DL that season. That's arguably yet another reason why Colin Cole moved to the interior from DE for that season.

I love the '18 Iowa DEs ... but the '18 DL still needs to prove that it can be a lot stingier against the run.

 

[IAHawk2011]

The depth at the DE spots is fantastic. I was really impressed with Golston in the limited time he saw and he is like 5th on the depth chart.

The DT position is what holds this defensive line back a bit IMO. There are a handful of decent players inside returning (Lattimore, Reiff, Jansen, M. Nelson), but none of them really showed flashes of being a true difference maker inside. Granted, they were all very young and/or inexperienced, and DT is a difficult position to play as an underclassman. Hopefully we see some serious improvement from a couple of those guys in the offseason.

FWIW, I don’t think Waggoner will play next year either. Going to need some time with Doyle- remember, AJ came into campus at a lean 270. Not really fair to compare anyone against that.

 

[studducky]

Nixon starts next year, and leaves for the NFL after his JR year. He will be our best athlete at DL/DE since Christian Ballard.

 

[lonewolf52]

I'm sure there are others here that have been around awhile and have a better memory but I can't think of a defensive line with more quality depth (assuming everyone stays and signs) going back almost 30 years. I suspect that Nixon will be fighting for a back-up spot next year as far as the two-deeps is concerned. Morgan and Parker like to use a heavy rotation if the personnel allows. If he is a quick learner I have no doubt he will be in that rotation..

ghostofHomer - what are your thoughts of AJ Epenesa moving to DT? I've thought all along that he would eventually move inside. Looks more likely now IMO with the experience returning at DE and the addition of Waggoner.

I would say that the chance of Hesse moving inside is greater than AJE. AJE is a textbook strongside DE.

 

[studducky]

AJ is not moving inside.

Once he gets stronger he should lead the Big Ten in sacks until he either goes pro, or graduates.

He just needs more strength at the point of attack.

 

[deanhawk88]

Hopefully it's
A. Nelson
Nixon
Committee
A Epenesa
Adding M.Nelson/Lattimore, Hesse are enough to ensure a very solid Dline! There's some nice depth after these guys with the incoming freshman at DT and other current DE's!

 

[nu2u]

AJ is not moving inside.
.

Maybe not permanently but it is likely that he will play DT situationally.

My prediction is that AJE adds another 10-15lbs before next season which puts his playing weight between 285-290 and he splits time between DT/DE. This makes room for more DE plays for Chauncey Golston and Brandon Simon to augment multi-year starters DE starters Anthony Nelson and Parker Hesse. Sam Brincks is in the mix at DE also. It is speculated that Waggoner will redshirt but I would guess no decision has been made yet. I do not have information on the development and progress of rFr DEs Levi Duwa or Austin Schulte but its tough to see a lot of PT for those two next season.

I know its a minority opinion but I believe Epenesa's pro future is at DT.

 

[NorthDSMHawk]

Maybe not permanently but it is likely that he will play DT situationally.

My prediction is that AJE adds another 10-15lbs before next season which puts his playing weight between 285-290 and he splits time between DT/DE. This makes room for more DE plays for Chauncey Golston and Brandon Simon to augment multi-year starters DE starters Anthony Nelson and Parker Hesse. Sam Brincks is in the mix at DE also. It is speculated that Waggoner will redshirt but I would guess no decision has been made yet. I do not have information on the development and progress of rFr DEs Levi Duwa or Austin Schulte but its tough to see a lot of PT for those two next season.

I know its a minority opinion but I believe Epenesa's pro future is at DT.

Agree. Nelson and Hesse are too good to keep off the field regularly, as is AJ. Best would be to rotate AJ into DL a few times on 1st and 2nd down, and then allow him to wreck havoc on 3rd down like we saw this year. As someone else said, he will need to get stronger, which I think we all agree he will be.

 

[David1979]

I think best case for Nixon is he gets into the rotation. Nelson, Reiff, Lattimore and Jansen are the 4 main returnees but there are also some younger guys who they might be grooming for DT and Newborg who made the switch last year to DT. The biggest thing for Nixon is technique and learning the defense. And that isn't always easy for a young player. He definitely has the size and athletic ability to play.

 

[David1979]

Maybe not permanently but it is likely that he will play DT situationally.

My prediction is that AJE adds another 10-15lbs before next season which puts his playing weight between 285-290 and he splits time between DT/DE. This makes room for more DE plays for Chauncey Golston and Brandon Simon to augment multi-year starters DE starters Anthony Nelson and Parker Hesse. Sam Brincks is in the mix at DE also. It is speculated that Waggoner will redshirt but I would guess no decision has been made yet. I do not have information on the development and progress of rFr DEs Levi Duwa or Austin Schulte but its tough to see a lot of PT for those two next season.

I know its a minority opinion but I believe Epenesa's pro future is at DT.

I don't think they will be worried about adding weight as much as improving his functional strength. I wouldn't be surprised to see less than 10 pounds of weight gain. You don't take a guy with that kind of athleticism and pass rushing ability and turn him into a DT. Pass rushing DEs are one of the most sought after players in college football and the pros.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I don't think they will be worried about adding weight as much as improving his functional strength. I wouldn't be surprised to see less than 10 pounds of weight gain. You don't take a guy with that kind of athleticism and pass rushing ability and turn him into a DT. Pass rushing DEs are one of the most sought after players in college football and the pros.

AJ had 8 QB hurries and 4.5 sacks as a true freshman ... and that is without him really being that good against the run yet. Furthermore, as you and others point out ... since he's young, he wore down faster than our veterans because of issues of technique and functional strength.

Thus, there are many very exciting gains to be had by AJ. As he understands the D better ... his reads will be better and faster as it relates to recognizing run versus pass. That will help him become a better every-down player for us. This, in itself, will cause him to see the field more.

Furthermore, as he gains functional strength and continues to improve his technique ... it will take longer for him to wear down ... AND he'll beat the guy trying to block him with even greater frequency! These features will make it harder for him to get OFF the field (because the drop-off between him and the next guy will be even more pronounced).

Part of his development in terms of size will likely center more about the retention of his speed and athleticism .... thus, I could see the coaches having him be at a playing weight at DE comparable to Clayborn's (ball-park of 285 to 290).

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I think best case for Nixon is he gets into the rotation. Nelson, Reiff, Lattimore and Jansen are the 4 main returnees but there are also some younger guys who they might be grooming for DT and Newborg who made the switch last year to DT. The biggest thing for Nixon is technique and learning the defense. And that isn't always easy for a young player. He definitely has the size and athletic ability to play.

Yeah ... what you said. Iowa has its guys play within a 2-gap system. Thus, there is a lot of reading and reacting that they have to do ... and it can take a while for guys to get down the system and learn how to play it fast and instinctively. Thus, I think that folks who would peg Nixon as a guy who could step in and instantly start for us at DT simply aren't familiar with the responsibilities of our D-linemen within our scheme.

Now, don't get me wrong, that doesn't imply that Nixon couldn't contribute early ... I just doubt that he could start for us in his first year. However, I'd peg Matt Nelson as a projected starter in 2018 ... and he'll be graduating ... thus, Nixon will have a great chance to lock down a starting spot in '19. The exciting news is that the other guys aren't going to make it easy ... there's going to be some great competition among the guys to earn the 2 starting DT spots in '19.

 

[Johnsoda123]

AJ had 8 QB hurries and 4.5 sacks as a true freshman ... and that is without him really being that good against the run yet. Furthermore, as you and others point out ... since he's young, he wore down faster than our veterans because of issues of technique and functional strength.

Thus, there are many very exciting gains to be had by AJ. As he understands the D better ... his reads will be better and faster as it relates to recognizing run versus pass. That will help him become a better every-down player for us. This, in itself, will cause him to see the field more.

Furthermore, as he gains functional strength and continues to improve his technique ... it will take longer for him to wear down ... AND he'll beat the guy trying to block him with even greater frequency! These features will make it harder for him to get OFF the field (because the drop-off between him and the next guy will be even more pronounced).

Part of his development in terms of size will likely center more about the retention of his speed and athleticism .... thus, I could see the coaches having him be at a playing weight at DE comparable to Clayborn's (ball-park of 285 to 290).

AJ is right where he should be in terms of development. A 5 star can come in and have a huge impact at RB, CB even WR. Not so much DL or OL. Which makes Wirfs even more impressive. If Wirfs takes the next step, wow.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I know its a minority opinion but I believe Epenesa's pro future is at DT.

Many, if not most, NFL teams use their DTs to anchor the DL. Those guys tend to be either mountainous men (huge girth) .... OR they have guys who play exceedingly low and have amazing leverage and quickness (like Geno Atkins or Mike Daniels when he's playing on the interior).

In a 3-4, Epenesa is definitely a DE. In a 4-3, he's NOT a NT ... thus, it's a safer bet to peg him as a SDE or WDE.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Hopefully it's
A. Nelson
Nixon
Committee
A Epenesa
Adding M.Nelson/Lattimore, Hesse are enough to ensure a very solid Dline! There's some nice depth after these guys with the incoming freshman at DT and other current DE's!

Looking further into the future ... Noah Shannon is a Mike Daniels "type" of player ... very explosive with a lot of natural leverage. The big contrast to Mike is that it took Mike around 3 full years on campus to get to a playing size where he could be a regular contributor for us. For Shannon ... the challenge will be improving his conditioning, functional strength, and learning the D.

As I've alluded in other threads previously, I like guys like Linderbaum and Duwa a lot too.

 

[2bagger22]

Nixon starts next year, and leaves for the NFL after his JR year. He will be our best athlete at DL/DE since Christian Ballard.

How's the hangover today?