Tomorrow is the final chance to see the Griz until August! Make sure to bring rain gear as a heavy storm is predicted to roll in about 1/2 way through! Earlier this week I had the offense write-up done, now wanted to give you a few guys to look out for on defense. Just like on offense this is more to point out new players to keep an eye on. We all know of a few dudes like Kidder, Johnson, Schye, Nelson, and Sanders, but here's a few new guys to watch:
#13 Josh Sandry Sandry in the last scrimmage had taken over the starting role opposite Yamen Sanders in the defensive backfield. A wickedly hard hitter and a very fast player. Like any RS Frosh he has his lapses in coverage but overall he's making a case for a jersey number change this time next year. In the second scrimmage he dealt out two brutal tackles in run support and didn't have a long pass allowed on his side of the field (I don't think).
#93 Zach Peevey I think many of us know Peevey, a senior DT, but what I hope he continues to show is his strength and continued athleticism considering his position. Peevey had a fumble recovery TD that the refs stopped in the 2nd scrimmage. He seems to be the constant at DT while others rotate next to him.
#91 Brandt Davidson Davidson is our big DT transfer and he's making his move for a starting spot. In the 1st scrimmage he was mostly in a backup role, come the 2nd scrimmage he was with the 1s on the 1st rotation and would switch in and out with Bradley. Davidson had a sack in the first scrimmage and in the 2nd scrimmage a very impressive TFL where he pretty much tackled both the running back and the guard blocking. He's our big-body guy in the middle that will absorb double teams and allow Kidder, Peevey, and Johnson to get 1 on 1 attempts at the QB.
#40 Vika Fa'atuiese Vika has moved up to be the #1 middle linebacker with Strahm sitting out of contract drills this fall. I have a feeling the coaches are going to do all they can to get Vika on the field a lot this season too. Vika seems to have a great ability to put pressure on the QB and attacks the A-gap very quickly on running plays. He's also surprised me with how quick he is too. A very intense player (it seems) - he's a fun one to watch
#42 Josh Buss Buss, a special teams stand out from last year has transitioned well to OLB. If there's a run or pass on the edge, expect #42 to be there. A lighter LB he's fast to the ball carrier and good in pass coverage. Buss is our next version of Herbert Gamboa on the field (IMO).
#59 Cy Sirmon Sirmon seemed to be all over the field in the 2nd scrimmage. Playing with both the 1s and 2s he in another one of our younger LB's thats making the most of his time. He's looking like a lock for the 2-deep and for special teams. Seeing guys like Cirmon (as well as Olson, Smith, and Cochran) make me comfortable with our depth. These guys are young and a little inexperienced but they're very talented players.
#49 Jesse Sims Sims had a sack in the 2nd scrimmage and showed a big leap in his pass-rushing effectiveness from the 1st to 2nd scrimmage. If he can carry that over he's going to start making an interesting case for the 2-deep. Right now DE is locked in at Kidder, Johnson, and Schye with Bedell and Sims vying for the final spot. Both have had their moments and a final good showing at the spring game will set the pace for the summer and pre-fall camp.
#13 Josh Sandry Sandry in the last scrimmage had taken over the starting role opposite Yamen Sanders in the defensive backfield. A wickedly hard hitter and a very fast player. Like any RS Frosh he has his lapses in coverage but overall he's making a case for a jersey number change this time next year. In the second scrimmage he dealt out two brutal tackles in run support and didn't have a long pass allowed on his side of the field (I don't think).
#93 Zach Peevey I think many of us know Peevey, a senior DT, but what I hope he continues to show is his strength and continued athleticism considering his position. Peevey had a fumble recovery TD that the refs stopped in the 2nd scrimmage. He seems to be the constant at DT while others rotate next to him.
#91 Brandt Davidson Davidson is our big DT transfer and he's making his move for a starting spot. In the 1st scrimmage he was mostly in a backup role, come the 2nd scrimmage he was with the 1s on the 1st rotation and would switch in and out with Bradley. Davidson had a sack in the first scrimmage and in the 2nd scrimmage a very impressive TFL where he pretty much tackled both the running back and the guard blocking. He's our big-body guy in the middle that will absorb double teams and allow Kidder, Peevey, and Johnson to get 1 on 1 attempts at the QB.
#40 Vika Fa'atuiese Vika has moved up to be the #1 middle linebacker with Strahm sitting out of contract drills this fall. I have a feeling the coaches are going to do all they can to get Vika on the field a lot this season too. Vika seems to have a great ability to put pressure on the QB and attacks the A-gap very quickly on running plays. He's also surprised me with how quick he is too. A very intense player (it seems) - he's a fun one to watch
#42 Josh Buss Buss, a special teams stand out from last year has transitioned well to OLB. If there's a run or pass on the edge, expect #42 to be there. A lighter LB he's fast to the ball carrier and good in pass coverage. Buss is our next version of Herbert Gamboa on the field (IMO).
#59 Cy Sirmon Sirmon seemed to be all over the field in the 2nd scrimmage. Playing with both the 1s and 2s he in another one of our younger LB's thats making the most of his time. He's looking like a lock for the 2-deep and for special teams. Seeing guys like Cirmon (as well as Olson, Smith, and Cochran) make me comfortable with our depth. These guys are young and a little inexperienced but they're very talented players.
#49 Jesse Sims Sims had a sack in the 2nd scrimmage and showed a big leap in his pass-rushing effectiveness from the 1st to 2nd scrimmage. If he can carry that over he's going to start making an interesting case for the 2-deep. Right now DE is locked in at Kidder, Johnson, and Schye with Bedell and Sims vying for the final spot. Both have had their moments and a final good showing at the spring game will set the pace for the summer and pre-fall camp.
