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Small Defensive Change

Posted on 10/1/25 at 9:34 pm
Posted by CrimsonBoz
Member since Sep 2014
19548 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 9:34 pm
I was told Lawson will be playing at OLB or Wolf for a good part moving forward. Practiced there this week. I don’t want to get excited because Kane could mess that up. But frankly I think that’s his natural position.
Posted by labamafan
Prairieville
Member since Jan 2007
26418 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 9:37 pm to
So Jefferson and who in the middle? Because we play a lot 3-3-5 do we not?
Posted by Amarillo Tide
Amarillo, TX
Member since Aug 2023
1470 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 9:43 pm to
His replacement will be Nikhai Hill-Green would seem to be the logical choice. I’ll be curious to see if Caden Jones or QB Reese also get additional snaps?
Posted by Panthers4life
Huntsville
Member since Nov 2017
4895 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 9:49 pm to
Hill-Green is the choice. He played well.
Posted by Hawaiian Punch
Member since Jan 2018
958 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 9:54 pm to
Ahead of Pierre or what? I don’t think we need to get lighter up front, especially against Vandy, but I’ll defer to the Flint Tropic semi-professional (KW) on this one.
Posted by CrimsonBoz
Member since Sep 2014
19548 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 9:56 pm to
Hill-Green is what it seems.

Posted by CrimsonBoz
Member since Sep 2014
19548 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 9:57 pm to
No I think in compliment to. I’m not sure how they structure his involvement off the edge. If I had to guess it’s package related.
Posted by Tw1st3d
Member since Jul 2017
924 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 2:16 am to
quote:

re: VANDERBILT-Bad Name/GREAT Team - (Page 2)

quote:

If I were the DC this
week, I would be tempted to run a 4-3 Dime.

#41 & #30 rotating at MLB
#0, #10, #21 & #16 rotating at OLB
#96, #90, #94 & #25 rotating at IDL
#42, #22, #31 & #8 rotating at ODL

Punch in the middle and speed on the edge - that would be some serious head hunters for Pavia to deal with.


It's a start
Posted by TideSaint
Hill Country
Member since Sep 2008
82715 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 8:23 am to
quote:


Hill-Green is the choice. He played well.


He is elite at shedding blocks and seems to play with an attitude like former Alabama LBs.
Posted by Riseupfromtherubble
You'll Never Walk Alone
Member since Jun 2011
39501 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 8:25 am to
Whether he plays there or not Saturday, it’s time to get him reps there in practice. Pierre has been known to pick up injuries. Were one away from true freshman Justin Hill starting there with Noah Carter backing him up with about 10 career snaps under his belt. Hopefully Cayden Jones is getting some reps out there too
Posted by Bham Bammer
Member since Nov 2014
16123 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 8:43 am to
quote:

He is elite at shedding blocks and seems to play with an attitude like former Alabama LBs.


I've noticed this too. Not sure about foot speed but he's much more physical than the other ILBs.
Posted by tide06
Member since Oct 2011
19981 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 9:07 am to
I think we have to play a four man down front to deal with Vandy. We need to be initiating contact with them at the LOS not 2 yards downfield without giving up size and we can’t just send ILB/S types downhill at them or Pavia will hit us all day with misdirection and short/intermediate looks to the TE.

That said, with Smith(1H)/Latham/Beamon/Latham/Russaw out I’m not sure who those four down guys should necessarily be?

Keenan, Pierre and Overton are a given in that rotation. Is Lawson who we want setting an edge right now at 225 dealing with a 280lb pulling C? Do you trust Hill-Green to fill the correct gap? Or Jefferson to play downhill rather than waiting for contact on his heels?

The entire front 7 is a massive question mark to me and I don’t envy Wommack having to figure out how to use these spare parts to take away looks from Pavia.

If it were me Id be giving them tons of multiple looks with the emphasis being on taking away the gimme 4 YPC stuff. Frankly some hybrid 4/4 looks could be very useful against Vandy, OU, USCe and AU.

But regardless of what you call it I want two big bodies inside eating blocks or penetrating gaps outside of short yardage when I would want more.

I want at least two guys who can take on an OL pulling setting edges.

And any ILB who can’t be trusted to play assignment football has to sit this one out period.
Posted by Bham Bammer
Member since Nov 2014
16123 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 10:01 am to
I think Wommack has to be willing to stack up against the run and dare Pavia and their wideouts to make plays. That might not be his preferred mode of attack, but letting them get 3-4 yards every play with the occasional explosive, and stay ahead of the chains, is how they will keep our defense out there for long drives and win the TOP.
Posted by TideSaint
Hill Country
Member since Sep 2008
82715 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 10:13 am to
quote:

That said, with Smith(1H)/Latham/Beamon/Latham/Russaw out I’m not sure who those four down guys should necessarily be?


It's time for 5-star Keon Keeley to earn his scholarship.
Posted by labamafan
Prairieville
Member since Jan 2007
26418 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 10:33 am to
Thank yall for answers
Posted by Hawaiian Punch
Member since Jan 2018
958 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 12:10 pm to
Assuming Keeley knows his assignments, I wouldn’t hate to see a 4 man front consisting of some combination of: two of #96/#23/#90/#94 inside, #22 on one edge and #11/#31 on the other edge. Let #42/#8 roam across the front, lining up on the edges or mugging A/B gap. Bray/Mincey could play a hybrid safety/linebacker role depending on down and distance.

We have options. Wommack needs to get more creative with the defensive fronts and personnel.
Posted by Bham Bammer
Member since Nov 2014
16123 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 12:36 pm to
The other night when we had guys go out, Collins (#17) and Renaud (#11) were out there, but I don't ever remember seeing Keeley. Didn't see as much of 88 as we had in the previous couple of weeks. But, this staff surprises me every week with guys that end up in the game at various times, so maybe this week will be Keeley's turn.

Not defense front related, but I honestly I think we might see Lee out there a lot if Jackson isn't willing to be more physical. Way too timid last week coming up against the run.
This post was edited on 10/2/25 at 12:38 pm
Posted by Funky Tide 8
Bayou Chico
Member since Feb 2009
55801 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 12:39 pm to
quote:

but I don't ever remember seeing Keeley.


pretty sure he was in the rotation.
Posted by Amarillo Tide
Amarillo, TX
Member since Aug 2023
1470 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 12:42 pm to
We need some guys who will lay the wood in the secondary. Dre Kirkpatrick is hyper physical. Would love to see him out there more. He probably would work wonders in run support.
Posted by Bham Bammer
Member since Nov 2014
16123 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 12:46 pm to
quote:

We need some guys who will lay the wood in the secondary. Dre Kirkpatrick is hyper physical. Would love to see him out there more. He probably would work wonders in run support.


I don't disagree that he's a thumper. I am not sure where he is right now as a cover guy. And maybe this is a game where ability and willingness to play the run is more important.
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