re: Schuman DC Pruitt analyst

quote:

---

That’s what I gathered he doesn’t want to be an analyst or support role.

---

Grain of salt here, but I was told it was only w/Golding (he didn’t like him), but the CO-DC was still floating. That he “wanted to be back at some capacity” under the stipulation that he had “more control” over the defense.

At this level, with the guys we're recruiting, no one should question the coaching wasn't up to the standard. Georgia lost 14 starters from last season and just went undefeated with a top 10 defense. A great coach can turn average into elite when the athleticism/attitude is there.

Damn it. I’m fired up now. I want that Sand Mountain SOB back.

quote:

---

I agree a different DC does better work, but he is also right about personel.

---

I personally dont think we had an interior D lineman that could pressure the QB. The OC doesnt coach everyone. Those linemen like Barmore and Quinnen Williams didnt take several years to develope and show they could create problems. They just had it. But, maybe our biggest problem was just yards after contact. Look at the first qtr of the Sugar Bowl. Several chances to stop a drive, but could not make a good tackle.

Can we get both Schu and Pruitt? Don’t care where each coaches but believe that having both will be MONSTER!!

What we know is Nick didn't think Charles Kelly was the answer as a DC? Aight.

I think it certainly may be both. Golding was in over his head, but think back to 2015-2017 and compare the guys we had then to the guys we’ve had since then:

Key DL from that stretch: Jonathan Allen (15-16), Daron Payne (15-17), and A’Shawn Robinson (15)

Since 2017 only Q is in their league, we’ve had some decent guys on the defensive line since then (Mathis, Barmore, Young) but I wouldn’t take any of them over those guys or Q. Not to mention the quality went deep. Jarran Reed, Dalvin Tomlinson, Da’Shawn Hand, all guys who are still playing in the NFL .

Now I like the ‘23 outlook there. Oatis should continue to develop, Tim Smith will be a Senior and while he hasn’t met expectations I expect him to at least be solid, I like some of what I saw when Damon Payne played. I don’t know if James Smith can crack the rotation as a true Freshman, but he’s certainly got the ability and mindset that we need up there.

Then you look at LB, we haven’t had an ILB near as good as Reuben Foster since he left (and arguably before). We’ve had guys with potential, but it never panned out quite how we wanted and I think Golding may have been a reason for that. However, on paper I love this ILB room for 2023. Lawson has looked promising, and I like pretty much everyone competing for the spot next to him. My favorites from an ability standpoint are Campbell and Russaw, I think they’re freaks. Get someone coaching these guys up like we had before and I think we can see a return to form at this spot. We went on an insane run from Ro through Reuben, it’s fizzled since.

I will say I think we have gotten better at Edge. We were never necessarily bad, but usually just solid aside from Upshaw and Tim Williams. Will Anderson is far and away the best Edge of the Saban Era though, and right now we’re incredibly deep at the position.

Corner is interesting because I don’t think we’ve fallen off here. In fact I’d argue the best CB (Surtain) of the Saban Era came after that stretch, and Koolaid currently looks very good. Where I do think we’ve been lacking is…

Safety. 15-16 had Eddie Jackson and Minkah Fitzpatrick (Star, but still). Ronnie Harrison was no slouch. This is another position where we haven’t had the same kinda guys since. Deionte Thompson, Xavier McKinney, and Jordan Battle have been solid (though Deionte seemed to regress as that season went on) but Eddie and Minkah were elite. Branch is the closest we’ve come, and Malachi pre injury probably could have been up there. Luckily Downs is coming in and should be elite.

I was about to say, Q wasn't Q until the 2018. He pretty much burst onto the scene that year, and never looked back. Barmore actually showed flashes in 2019, and then really turned the corner in 2020. Both redshirted their freshmen years.

Average isn't bashing a player. I am not a member of your BSC. You're tied to recruiting rankings instead of what you see each week in each game.