Defensive Tackle outlook 2010

The defensive tackle position will most likely be the strongest part of our defense next year. Going into the year it was the biggest question mark because of how much inexperience we had. This year I think they definitely exceeded expectations and there play will only get better for the next couple of years. We return pretty much everybody at the position and should have 5th year senior Jarrod Smith healthy for next season. True freshman Adam Replogle, who won a starting job as a true freshman, was very good and will only get better with experience and an off-season of lifting and conditioning. I thought Larry Black Jr. was arguably the biggest surprise out of the young tackles. He is a bigger body that we haven't had the luxury of having for the past few years. Larry and Adam combined for 61 tackles, 12.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks. Like Adam and all the other defensive tackles, they will only get better with more experience and more time in the weight room.

The best part about this position for the upcoming years is the depth. Back up red shirt freshman Nick Sliger and Mick Mentzer are also very talented and you can almost interchangeably use the four young tackles. Being able to rotate defensive tackles without having a large drop off in skill will allow us to stay fresh throughout games and will prevent opposing offenses from running down our team late in the game. Not to mention Jarrod Smith coming back to provide depth and leadership experience. With another year under there belts the defensive tackle position will clearly be one of the strongest points of our defense for the future. The biggest thing that they will bring for the next couple of years is size and depth.

Agree? Disagree? Feel free to leave your thoughts.