#1 JR, LB, Micah Parsons, Penn State
Parsons led the team in tackles as a true freshman (82) and wasn’t a full-time starter. A year later he was that starter and led the team again (109) while becoming a complete impact linebacker. Along with his 109 tackles, he added 14 tackles for a loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles, and five pass breakups.
The Oregon Ducks have one of the best up and coming defenses in college football. Even losing such a high caliber player such as senior linebacker Troy Dye to the NFL Draft, the cupboard is far from bare in Eugene. The Ducks have some super talented young pieces that they will build around and keep them in the hunt, for not only a PAC-12 Championship each year but a BCS Playoff spot as well. Let’s take a look at the stars that will carry this team over the next two to three years.
The Georgia Bulldogs ended National Signing day with the #1 ranked overall class and the #1 SEC class, according to 247 Sports Composite. The Bulldogs were able to hold off the serious challenges by Alabama and Clemson. While there are still a few prospects to sign, it looks as if Georgia wan the 2020 race! Let’s take a closer look at the defensive prospects that have committed to them in this class.
Just a week and a half ago was the early signing period in college football for players who had made up their minds on where they wanted to continue their academic and athletic careers, ready to sign their National Letter of Intent. The Vols’ start to the early signing period set the pace for the rest of the day. Most of the early signees were players that had been committed to their respective schools for months, making it known over social media that their recruitment process was completely shutdown.
There always seems to be certain schools that consistently produce NFL talent at certain positions. You hear it all the time, “team A is running back U or team B is linebacker U”, etc. Why do certain teams always seem to be able to produce elite talent a specific position year in and year out? Do they recruit that position more heavily? Does the coaching staff just do a better job coaching this position up? Or is it just luck? I think it maybe a little of everything and it goes in cycles. Let’s take a look at some of the current position U’s in the college game right now.
DWin interviews an up-and-coming safety from the University of New Hampshire. Become a member to get a leg up on the IDP devy community.
High School coach was former NFL All-Pro fullback, Mike Alstott
Played at Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg, FL
33 Career Games for Carson Newman (16’-19’)
25 Consecutive starts
122nd All-American in school history
156 tackles, 7 interceptions
Led the South Atlantic Conference with 5 interceptions in 2017
2017 All-SAC 1st team
Duquesne Dukes #1 Defensive Back
Twitter: @DaiUno1_2014 All-County & All-League honors as a senior for Don Bosco PrepWas a three-star recruit according to 247 Sports Composite, ranked No. 25 player in the state of New Jersey & No. 100 nationally at his position29 Career Games for Syracuse (15’-17)105 Tackles, 1 Interception, 6 Pass Break Ups, 2 Forced Fumbles2018 Transferred to Duquesne
The Iowa State Cyclones have a trio of linebackers that should be on your devy radars. This group complements each other extremely well and all three play a different style. To see a team with three linebackers where each could be the lead dog for their defense is uncommon. That is the fortunate situation that the Cyclones find themselves having right now. I have been watching a lot of film and games on these guys and all three are legit playmakers. Let’s take a closer look at these three tremendous players.
The best way to get a leg up in your dynasty leagues is to know the next class of players before they hit the NFL. Whether you’re a devy or regular dynasty IDP player, this article will help you identify some of the key players climbing the ranks at the college level.
The IDP Nation crew interviewed Robbie Wallace from Wingate this week. #10 is an up-and-coming senior this year looking to make it to the NFL. Our members can check out more of his story here and get a jump on the IDP devy crop for next year.
Duquesne Dukes #27 Defensive BackTwitter: @rducros27Instagram: @reidhd5A member of the USA Football U19 National Team that defeated Canada, 33-0, at the International Bowl Jan. 31, 2016 at Cowboys StadiumNamed a Scout.com second-team all-state selection in Texas as a senior at Colleyville Heritage HS in Colleyville, TexasWas a three-star recruit per ESPN.com, rated as the No. 66 player at his positionWas a three-star recruit according to 247 Sports Composite, rated No. 149 nationally for his position11 Career Games for Boise State (16’-17)23 Tackles, 1 TFL, 4 Pass Break Ups12 Career Games for Duquesne (18’)31 Tackles, 0.5 TFL, 5 Pass Break Ups, 1 Forced FumbleWho introduced you to the game of football?My dad introduced me to the game of football. Ever since I was a baby I’ve always either had a football in my crib or was playing “crawling football” since I couldn’t walk, stuff like that. It just seems like I’ve always been around the game.Why did you transfer from Boise State to Duquesne to further your football career?When I initially signed, the DC and the DB coach who recruited me there, left right after. It was clear to me that the new DC’s vision for the defense was to have thicker guys at the corner position. In fact, they brought in a 6’0”, 200 lbs. CB in the spring of 2017 and immediately put him in the starting spot. I did eventually earn the starting position, but a big part of me getting my opportunity was because that CB they brought in got suspended. I played well the first 3 games and I was rated the top player overall on that team as per PFF rankings. Then against Virginia, I got a minor injury and had to come out of the game. From then on, I barely played any defensive snaps and it was very apparent what the DC had in mind for the defense. I then had to make a decision to either stay where I was at under the same staff or leave, so I left. I chose Duquesne for two reasons: 1. It provided a National Tier 1 education, and 2. They play in a high passing conference and they promised to play me in the slot which is where I feel like I project at the next level. That being said, I have no hard feelings for anyone at Boise State and I am extremely happy at Duquesne.
His strengths are easy to see, as he shows excellent quickness, acceleration, and speed. When rushing the passer he shows good bend and flexibility. He does a decent job of setting the edge and turning plays back inside. He has good instincts and reads the plays very well. His play recognition allows him to get in position to make the play and helps overcome some of his deficiencies.
Memphis Tigers #55 Linebacker One of the top rising pass rushers in college football, Memphis Tigers linebacker Bryce Huff, is coming off a forty-nine tackle, nineteen tackle for a loss and nine and a half sack performance, in his first full season as a starter. Now entering his senior season, he is primed to be …
One on One with Memphis Tigers Linebacker Bryce Huff Read More »
Experts are shooting off predictions left and right so I thought I would have some fun with it myself. Even though they are labeled “bold” as a headline, many times these predictions are par for the course. So here are my “bold-ish” predictions, some may be off the wall while some not so much. Enjoy! …
9 Bold-ish Predictions: NFL Draft Edition Read More »
Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi St. Profile Listed at 6’6”/241 lbs Montez Sweat plays Defensive End (or classified as the dreaded Edge Rusher tag, by fantasy owners), for the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the SEC. He transferred from Michigan State, where he only appeared in two games in two seasons. In 2014 he was suspended after …
IDP Devy Stock Watch: Montez Sweat Read More »
Every year, I seem to have a “guy” when it comes to the NFL Draft. A prospect who maybe isn’t necessarily the top player, but he excites with enthusiasm, special traits, and a love for the game. A few years ago, this “guy” was Jared Goff. Last year, Jamal Adams. This year’s candidate may just …
IDP Devy Player Profile: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville Cardinals Read More »
Fred Warner LB BYU / 6’3” / 230 Games Watched: 2016: Arizona, UCLA, Utah 2017: UNLV, Wisconsin The Skinny: Warner is an athletic nuisance for any offense he faces. He has the range to cover players in the slot and drop back into zone coverage. His anticipation skills should transfer for all LB positions and …
2018 IDP Draft Profile: Fred Warner LB BYU Read More »
It’s rare that you see a player who is miles ahead of everyone else at their position, but that is exactly how I feel about Ed Oliver @Edoliver_11 . He is the best defensive tackle prospect that I have seen and best to come along, since Ndamukong Suh at Nebraska. That in itself is extremely …
IDP Devy Player Profile: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston Cougars Read More »
As the NFL becomes more and more positionless, trying to project which specific position spots prospects will fill in at becomes more and more of a challenge. Especially at the linebacker spot, I think back to the 2016 draft which saw Akron linebacker Jatavis Brown get drafted at the end of the 5th round by …
IDP Draft Profile: LB Azeem Victor, Washington Read More »
