Grading the D
Entering this season, PK and his coaches weren’t afforded as many portal “draft selections” as the offense, meaning they were going to need to make do with players returning from the previous disappointing season.
Fortunately three key factors worked in PK’s favor to improve that group:
Young, promising players ready to receive more snaps
Older players still with room for improvement
Want-to and buy-in
PK was able to add Ryan Watts at corner and Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey at linebacker, but for the most part, the story on defense has been development.
Interior D-Line: A-
At times last season the interior defensive line was incorrectly blamed for poor run defense. Too often they did their job while there were breakdowns on the edge or behind them at linebacker. This year they’re able to stunt more often, but much of the design of the defense remains with the goal to funnel the ball carrier to the linebackers.
Through three games, the six notable tackles have combined for 32 tackles, 3 losses, and 1.5 sacks.
Edge: B
When accounting for every factor, Barryn Sorrell might be the most important player on defense right now. Not setting a hard edge in the run game was the major point where run defense broke down last season.
Both Sorrell and Ovie Oghoufo are playing the run better, but as pass rushers they do get too far upfield. That can be a tough habit to break because you think the QB is right around the corner, but really he’s taking advantage of the lane you just created.
Linebacker: B
Jaylan Ford struggled in the opener and then played a role in the long touchdown against Bama, but since then he’s been much improved. He seems to be seeing plays develop faster and faster.
DeMarvion Overshown receives the ‘bad luck’ award. He’s been called for two highly questionable calls that have overshadowed his athletic and enthusiastic play. Though he’s improved off the ball, he’s still not a read and react linebacker. What he is, he’s a dangerous weapon the defensive play caller uses to point and shoot.
Safety/Star: B+
To me, safety is the most improved position on the team. Both Anthony Cook and Jerrin Thompson underscore the value of intelligence in the back-end, plus their effort level has been exceptional.
Communication is key at the position and Thompson is the leader in that regard. Communication will be huge this weekend in front of a belligerent crowd and whirring tortillas.
[More at IT]