Next season -- 7-5 would be GREAT!

[Asmodeanreborn]

All in all, the D-Line needs to be at as good as the one that is graduating, otherwise it is going to hurt like hell next season. The O-line looks like it is coming along nicely (as just about anything would be an improvement over what we had this year).

The one benefit is that a few of the incoming players on the d-line look like they're faster than the graduating ones. Obviously speed usually means you're losing size and strength, but I hate seeing when we get the opposing QBs out of the pocket, and they escape at will because our defensive line isn't nearly fast enough to catch him.

 

[Adv8RU12]

I hate seeing when we get the opposing QBs out of the pocket, and they escape at will because our defensive line isn't nearly fast enough to catch him.

BUT -- the reason they are getting the QB out of the pocket is because they were able to muscle past the offensive line.

 

[Asmodeanreborn]

I hate seeing when we get the opposing QBs out of the pocket, and they escape at will because our defensive line isn't nearly fast enough to catch him.

BUT -- the reason they are getting the QB out of the pocket is because they were able to muscle past the offensive line.

This is indeed true - which is why you need both speed and power rushers.
I think we've kind of recruited both. Riley Lange (WDE) runs a 4.65 40, which to me sounds fast for a DE at 230 lbs, regardless of where he lines up. Tyler Strong (DT) on the other hand sounds more solid at 6'3, 268. Puletasi looks a bit undersized at 215, but was clocked at 4.73, so he's not terribly slow either, although no speed demon for his size.

Meanwhile, Purcell is a bit bigger and now has a little bit of experience. I believe we also have two redshirted DE/DTs from last year (unless they played and/or left?) in Josh Martin and Mark Willis, and then a few walk-ons.