2016 4* LB Devin Bush Jr. (Michigan commit)

[mcgufcm 4,096]

I think you've got a better shot at enjoying the LB play this year over next year. Frost and McKinzy are seniors, and experience does matter. Both guys have shown high caliber play in spurts. Experience is the best way to develop consistency. Add Lawson at the flex position. Garrett and Williams give solid options at the third spot (I think of the flex as the fourth spot). Add the freshmen (Cowart possibly, Holland, and Williams) for depth.

Tough for me to see how we'll be better in 2016 when we're slated to lose 2-3 starters from the senior class. If the front group can get some pressure with four and hold the point of attack better in the run game, I expect to see really good LB play. If they're tasked with manufacturing the pressure, get stuck with dual lane responsibility in the run game (due to guys getting blown out of the hole), and have coverage responsibilities, they're going to look bad.

[AUbritt 611]

I think you've got a better shot at enjoying the LB play this year over next year. Frost and McKinzy are seniors, and experience does matter. Both guys have shown high caliber play in spurts. Experience is the best way to develop consistency. Add Lawson at the flex position. Garrett and Williams give solid options at the third spot (I think of the flex as the fourth spot). Add the freshmen (Cowart possibly, Holland, and Williams) for depth.

Tough for me to see how we'll be better in 2016 when we're slated to lose 2-3 starters from the senior class. If the front group can get some pressure with four and hold the point of attack better in the run game, I expect to see really good LB play. If they're tasked with manufacturing the pressure, get stuck with dual lane responsibility in the run game (due to guys getting blown out of the hole), and have coverage responsibilities, they're going to look bad.

Agreed.

[Mikey 16,576]

I think you've got a better shot at enjoying the LB play this year over next year. Frost and McKinzy are seniors, and experience does matter. Both guys have shown high caliber play in spurts. Experience is the best way to develop consistency. Add Lawson at the flex position. Garrett and Williams give solid options at the third spot (I think of the flex as the fourth spot). Add the freshmen (Cowart possibly, Holland, and Williams) for depth.

Tough for me to see how we'll be better in 2016 when we're slated to lose 2-3 starters from the senior class. If the front group can get some pressure with four and hold the point of attack better in the run game, I expect to see really good LB play. If they're tasked with manufacturing the pressure, get stuck with dual lane responsibility in the run game (due to guys getting blown out of the hole), and have coverage responsibilities, they're going to look bad.

Obviously, you think this year's penciled in starters are capable of more than I do. FWIW, I'll be delighted if you are right and I'm wrong but I'll have to see it on the field first.

[gman87 398]

I think you've got a better shot at enjoying the LB play this year over next year. Frost and McKinzy are seniors, and experience does matter. Both guys have shown high caliber play in spurts. Experience is the best way to develop consistency. Add Lawson at the flex position. Garrett and Williams give solid options at the third spot (I think of the flex as the fourth spot). Add the freshmen (Cowart possibly, Holland, and Williams) for depth.

Tough for me to see how we'll be better in 2016 when we're slated to lose 2-3 starters from the senior class. If the front group can get some pressure with four and hold the point of attack better in the run game, I expect to see really good LB play. If they're tasked with manufacturing the pressure, get stuck with dual lane responsibility in the run game (due to guys getting blown out of the hole), and have coverage responsibilities, they're going to look bad.

Obviously, you think this year's penciled in starters are capable of more than I do. FWIW, I'll be delighted if you are right and I'm wrong but I'll have to see it on the field first.

You have to admit the DL didn't help the LBs out too much last year. Frost, McKinzy and Williams all have shown flashes, if the DL can make the offense adjust to what they are imposing, the LBs will do much better.

[thaitopher 807]

I think you've got a better shot at enjoying the LB play this year over next year. Frost and McKinzy are seniors, and experience does matter. Both guys have shown high caliber play in spurts. Experience is the best way to develop consistency. Add Lawson at the flex position. Garrett and Williams give solid options at the third spot (I think of the flex as the fourth spot). Add the freshmen (Cowart possibly, Holland, and Williams) for depth.

Tough for me to see how we'll be better in 2016 when we're slated to lose 2-3 starters from the senior class. If the front group can get some pressure with four and hold the point of attack better in the run game, I expect to see really good LB play. If they're tasked with manufacturing the pressure, get stuck with dual lane responsibility in the run game (due to guys getting blown out of the hole), and have coverage responsibilities, they're going to look bad.

Obviously, you think this year's penciled in starters are capable of more than I do. FWIW, I'll be delighted if you are right and I'm wrong but I'll have to see it on the field first.

You have to admit the DL didn't help the LBs out too much last year. Frost, McKinzy and Williams all have shown flashes, if the DL can make the offense adjust to what they are imposing, the LBs will do much better.

the DLs didn't help out anyone last year.

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

I think you've got a better shot at enjoying the LB play this year over next year. Frost and McKinzy are seniors, and experience does matter. Both guys have shown high caliber play in spurts. Experience is the best way to develop consistency. Add Lawson at the flex position. Garrett and Williams give solid options at the third spot (I think of the flex as the fourth spot). Add the freshmen (Cowart possibly, Holland, and Williams) for depth.

Tough for me to see how we'll be better in 2016 when we're slated to lose 2-3 starters from the senior class. If the front group can get some pressure with four and hold the point of attack better in the run game, I expect to see really good LB play. If they're tasked with manufacturing the pressure, get stuck with dual lane responsibility in the run game (due to guys getting blown out of the hole), and have coverage responsibilities, they're going to look bad.

Obviously, you think this year's penciled in starters are capable of more than I do. FWIW, I'll be delighted if you are right and I'm wrong but I'll have to see it on the field first.

You have to admit the DL didn't help the LBs out too much last year. Frost, McKinzy and Williams all have shown flashes, if the DL can make the offense adjust to what they are imposing, the LBs will do much better.

the DLs didn't help out anyone last year.

Well they helped out the other team

[Mikey 16,576]

Wright, Blackson and Bradley are gone, which may or may not be a good thing. In any case, assuming this year's D-line play will be a big improvement is quite the leap. Adams has shown he's capable. After that, we have Lawson coming off an injury and a bunch of guys we HOPE can get the job done. Maybe after fall camp we fans can get some idea of what's coming.

[cole256 17,043]

Wright, Blackson and Bradley are gone, which may or may not be a good thing. In any case, assuming this year's D-line play will be a big improvement is quite the leap. Adams has shown he's capable. After that, we have Lawson coming off an injury and a bunch of guys we HOPE can get the job done. Maybe after fall camp we fans can get some idea of what's coming.

Smh....I have to agree with this

[WarDamnEagleWDE 12,737]

Wright, Blackson and Bradley are gone, which may or may not be a good thing. In any case, assuming this year's D-line play will be a big improvement is quite the leap. Adams has shown he's capable. After that, we have Lawson coming off an injury and a bunch of guys we HOPE can get the job done. Maybe after fall camp we fans can get some idea of what's coming.

D-line will not be a problem this year. Book it.

[McLoofus 35,182]

Mikey's heard every argument before. His assessment of our LB play to date will not change. I don't entirely agree with said assessment, but it is informed and steadfast.

[autan 737]

Bush, McCloud, and Smith could go a long way toward improving our LB plight. We'd probably be lucky to get one of them.

[AUbritt 611]

Bush, McCloud, and Smith could go a long way toward improving our LB plight. We'd probably be lucky to get one of them.

No insider, but I like our chances with Bush and McCloud.

[mcgufcm 4,096]

The only question I have on our DL play this year is inside. The DEs were as bad as they can ever be last year. Lots of guys busting their tails, but as a group, they were terrible. If Lambert and Lawson are healthy (and they are), the talent level is exponentially better than last year at DE. Lambert was very solid by the time of his injury, and Lawson is the best DE talent we've had in a long time (Ford included because Lawson is a more complete player). You can build a rotation around those two guys because they're 3 down players. You can put specialists around them and call it a day.

On the interior, Adams has done it. His production hasn't been there, but if you focus on him in the film, he's consistent. He's very good, but he was the center of attention at all times last year. There was no Lawson or Ford to deflect focus. Wright and Blackson had moments, but they never became "must double" players. Adams is. The issue is what we have with him. I think Swain, Lawrence, Russell, and others have a chance, but it's a question mark.

On Bush and LBs, seems like we lost a guy in Bituli that we liked a LOT, but it also seems like we've got a number of dudes we really, really like remaining. Bush and McCloud, etc. aren't fallback options. They're targets. If we land Threat, EMB, and either or both of these cats, that's a pretty solid LB class. Above that, it's gravy.

[AUbritt 611]

The only question I have on our DL play this year is inside. The DEs were as bad as they can ever be last year. Lots of guys busting their tails, but as a group, they were terrible. If Lambert and Lawson are healthy (and they are), the talent level is exponentially better than last year at DE. Lambert was very solid by the time of his injury, and Lawson is the best DE talent we've had in a long time (Ford included because Lawson is a more complete player). You can build a rotation around those two guys because they're 3 down players. You can put specialists around them and call it a day.

On the interior, Adams has done it. His production hasn't been there, but if you focus on him in the film, he's consistent. He's very good, but he was the center of attention at all times last year. There was no Lawson or Ford to deflect focus. Wright and Blackson had moments, but they never became "must double" players. Adams is. The issue is what we have with him. I think Swain, Lawrence, Russell, and others have a chance, but it's a question mark.

On Bush and LBs, seems like we lost a guy in Bituli that we liked a LOT, but it also seems like we've got a number of dudes we really, really like remaining. Bush and McCloud, etc. aren't fallback options. They're targets. If we land Threat, EMB, and either or both of these cats, that's a pretty solid LB class. Above that, it's gravy.

Yep. Good post.

[WarDamnEagleWDE 12,737]

The only question I have on our DL play this year is inside. The DEs were as bad as they can ever be last year. Lots of guys busting their tails, but as a group, they were terrible. If Lambert and Lawson are healthy (and they are), the talent level is exponentially better than last year at DE. Lambert was very solid by the time of his injury, and Lawson is the best DE talent we've had in a long time (Ford included because Lawson is a more complete player). You can build a rotation around those two guys because they're 3 down players. You can put specialists around them and call it a day.

On the interior, Adams has done it. His production hasn't been there, but if you focus on him in the film, he's consistent. He's very good, but he was the center of attention at all times last year. There was no Lawson or Ford to deflect focus. Wright and Blackson had moments, but they never became "must double" players. Adams is. The issue is what we have with him. I think Swain, Lawrence, Russell, and others have a chance, but it's a question mark.

On Bush and LBs, seems like we lost a guy in Bituli that we liked a LOT, but it also seems like we've got a number of dudes we really, really like remaining. Bush and McCloud, etc. aren't fallback options. They're targets. If we land Threat, EMB, and either or both of these cats, that's a pretty solid LB class. Above that, it's gravy.

I'm told that Russell was a force in the middle last spring. CWM talked very highly of him.

[Mikey 16,576]

The only question I have on our DL play this year is inside. The DEs were as bad as they can ever be last year. Lots of guys busting their tails, but as a group, they were terrible. If Lambert and Lawson are healthy (and they are), the talent level is exponentially better than last year at DE. Lambert was very solid by the time of his injury, and Lawson is the best DE talent we've had in a long time (Ford included because Lawson is a more complete player). You can build a rotation around those two guys because they're 3 down players. You can put specialists around them and call it a day.

On the interior, Adams has done it. His production hasn't been there, but if you focus on him in the film, he's consistent. He's very good, but he was the center of attention at all times last year. There was no Lawson or Ford to deflect focus. Wright and Blackson had moments, but they never became "must double" players. Adams is. The issue is what we have with him. I think Swain, Lawrence, Russell, and others have a chance, but it's a question mark.

On Bush and LBs, seems like we lost a guy in Bituli that we liked a LOT, but it also seems like we've got a number of dudes we really, really like remaining. Bush and McCloud, etc. aren't fallback options. They're targets. If we land Threat, EMB, and either or both of these cats, that's a pretty solid LB class. Above that, it's gravy.

I agree, but that's a mighty big "IF". So far we have Threat committed. The other three are targets, which means we may or may not get them.

[mcgufcm 4,096]

Oh completely agree. Not only that, but one of them is currently committed elsewhere. LB recruiting is going to be interesting. From appearances, our list of targets were, in no order: Threat, Lamar (committed elsewhere), Bituli (committed elsewhere), Bush, McCloud (committed elsewhere), Mbem-Bosse, Smith (committed elsewhere), and maybe Davis (a very, very long shot), and maybe Evans. I don't know who else is really on that list.

[WarDamnEagleWDE 12,737]

Oh completely agree. Not only that, but one of them is currently committed elsewhere. LB recruiting is going to be interesting. From appearances, our list of targets were, in no order: Threat, Lamar (committed elsewhere), Bituli (committed elsewhere), Bush, McCloud (committed elsewhere), Mbem-Bosse, Smith (committed elsewhere), and maybe Davis (a very, very long shot), and maybe Evans. I don't know who else is really on that list.

That list looks right. AU thinks McCloud will flip. Also think we will see some new names pop up on the LBer list.

[CameronCrazy 1,059]

This staff is doing a great job of not waiting on or two prospects like Garner did with the DL recruiting last year. I'm really impressed how they are continually evaluating and bringing new guys in. I think it will definitely payoff in the long run.

[Mikey 16,576]

This staff is doing a great job of not waiting on or two prospects like Garner did with the DL recruiting last year. I'm really impressed how they are continually evaluating and bringing new guys in. I think it will definitely payoff in the long run.

You can look at it that way, or one could say that they are busy hustling up Plan B guys when their top targets choose to commit elsewhere.

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

This staff is doing a great job of not waiting on or two prospects like Garner did with the DL recruiting last year. I'm really impressed how they are continually evaluating and bringing new guys in. I think it will definitely payoff in the long run.

You can look at it that way, or one could say that they are busy hustling up Plan B guys when their top targets choose to commit elsewhere.

Mikey you might be the most positive poster we have here at AUF.

[1auburn1 1,110]

Mikey = Realist

[mcgufcm 4,096]

Or in this case, a guesser. Neither he nor I nor you have any idea where guys on this list stacked up on our target list. We have no idea who the Plan Bs are. Even Mikey would admit that.

[Dixie1860 27]

I just got a call from Coach Muschamp...

...Obviously still on the Plan A guys!

[Mikey 16,576]

Or in this case, a guesser. Neither he nor I nor you have any idea where guys on this list stacked up on our target list. We have no idea who the Plan Bs are. Even Mikey would admit that.

While we have no actual, documented information we can make some semi-educated guesses. Say, for instance, two running backs are the big talk here, each have multi-page threads about them on this message board and numerous write-ups on the AU pay sites. If they commit elsewhere and all of a sudden new names start popping up, it's rather plain that Plan B has been initiated. This isn't the first season that we've seen this sort of thing. It's not the end of the world but it's not something to cheer about either.