Football Friday: In the Trenches with the Huskies Defensive Line

Football Friday is back after a short hiatus due to well deserved vacation. I spent an entire week without a computer in sight and I didn’t miss it one bit. My last post featured a breakdown of the Huskies' OL. This post will focus on the Huskies' defensive line.

Most coaches will tell you that defense starts in the trenches with the front four. With that in mind, it’s no wonder why the Huskies defense was atrocious last year.

The D-Line in college football is a position dominated by upper classman, and the Dawgs started three true freshmen at the position. Generally, in-coming recruits are allowed time to learn from the older guys and ride the pine while their bodies develop. Everrette Thompson, Alameda Ta’amu and Senio Kelemete were not afforded this luxury. Willingham threw them to the wolves last year and they struggled mightily. In Willingham’s defense, he didn’t have a ton of options. But then again, outside of Te’o Nesheim, Willingham didn’t develop the talents of the older players properly.

The Huskies have a tank at the DT position in Alameda Ta’amu. This guy is 6-4/330 and clogs up the middle like a double bacon cheeseburger from Carl’s Jr. I expect big things from him this year (no pun intended). He should command a double team at the line of scrimmage freeing the linebacking corps to make plays. You won’t see him sack the QB but he will be instrumental in stopping the run.

The other starting DT (on the 2009 spring depth chart) is Cameron Elisara. Elisara is a bit of an enigma. He was highly recruited out of Spokane in 2006, rated four stars and the #10 DT in the country by Scout.com. Now as a junior, Elisara has the chance to make his mark. But after several years of bad coaching and poor player development, I expect him to be average at best. Hopefully he will prove me wrong. If he does, the Dawgs could have a formidable 1-2 punch in the middle.

The all-star of the D-Line is DE Daniel Te’o Nesheim. The senior out of Hawaii has a motor that just won’t quit. He was the only defensive player worth mentioning in 2008. On an inept defense, he recorded 8 sacks (6 in the final four games). He will be the only D-lineman to win Pac 10 honors this year. He may even get drafted in the later rounds in the 2010 NFL draft.

The other starting DE spot is occupied by Darrion Jones. Is Sark sippin on the sizzurp? I know it’s called the PURPLE drank but god damn, Darrion Jones? He is a converted LB that weighs only 245 pounds. He lacks the size and the skills that are needed to contribute at this level. He shouldn’t even be on the two-deep. Sark should give the nod to Everrette Thompson. He gained valuable experience playing in 2008 (although he probably should have redshirted). It’s going to be a long year for this group if they are relying on Darrion Jones to produce.

I can't help but have a very pessimistic view on how the D-Line will hold up this year. They have a few good players but lack depth and star power across the board. Here is the official 2009 spring depth chart (subject to change in the fall).

DE 66 DANIEL TE’O-NESHEIM .......... Sr., 6-4, 263, Waikoloa, Hawai’i
92 Everrette Thompson . . . . . . . So., 6-6, 255, Renton, Wash.

DT 74 ALAMEDA TA’AMU. . . . . . . . .So., 6-2, 348, Kent, Wash.
91 Tyrone Duncan . . . . . .So., 6-2, 278, Westlake Village, Calif.

DT 99 CAMERON ELISARA ............... Jr., 6-3, 289, Spokane, Wash.
96 De’Shon Matthews . . . . . .Jr., 6-4, 260, Sacramento, Calif.

DE 59 ^DARRION JONES ...................Sr., 6-2, 245, Lynwood, Calif.
51 Kalani Aldrich . . . . . . . .So., 6-7, 240, Hilo, Hawai’i

However, there is reason to be optimistic about the future at this position. The Huskies have an abundance of youth and talent. The following rankings can be found on dawgman.com:

Alameda Ta’amu; class of2008; 7th rated OG in the country; 4 stars (converted to DL)

Craig Noble; class of 2008; 17th rated DT in the county; 4 stars

Everrette Thompson; class of 2008; 12th rated DE in the country; 4 stars

Sione Patoae; class of 2010; 7th rated DT in the country; 4 stars (verbal commitment)

See you next week for Football Friday!