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Hawkfan_08*

Hawkfan_08*

All-American
Jul 2, 2025
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In the off season there was a writer that said they believed the talent at LB is there, but it's behind the starters. Their opinion was that it would take a game to really show the coaches the starters struggle to keep up and that the reserves would get to show their stuff. If I remembered who it was, I would credit them.

I'm not an expert on any of this so I'm legit asking what others see.

My biggest issue is Harrell. While I credit him for a great strip that we didn't come up with, there are plenty of issues that I'm noticing.
1- tackling is an issue. He's missed more than a few.
2- speed is not there. He struggles to cover guys out of the backfield or TEs.
3- He gets pushed around too easily. Today he was chipped by a WR who looked like he hardly threw a shoulder in and pushed him out for a long run.
4- He doesn't fill holes in the run game well at all. He always seems to be on the wrong side allowing himself to be sealed or picks a wrong gap to attack.

I know this is pretty negative and I'm glad he wanted to be a Hawk. He waited his turn but sometimes it just doesn't work. I also didn't love Sharar but he's had a few more bright spots. Needless to say, I just think this group is not getting it done.

So I'm asking for other people's opinions... am I seeing things? Is it more of a DL issue? Is it because we are blitzing more? Are they doing what they are coached to do? Or does it look like they are struggling?
 
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iahawkeyes17

All-Conference
Apr 22, 2014
597
1,568
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Hawkfan_08* said:
In the off season there was a writer that said they believed the talent at LB is there, but it's behind the starters. Their opinion was that it would take a game to really show the coaches the starters struggle to keep up and that the reserves would get to show their stuff. If I remembered who it was, I would credit them.

I'm not an expert on any of this so I'm legit asking what others see.

My biggest issue is Harrell. While I credit him for a great strip that we didn't come up with, there are plenty of issues that I'm noticing.
1- tackling is an issue. He's missed more than a few.
2- speed is not there. He struggles to cover guys out of the backfield or TEs.
3- He gets pushed around too easily. Today he was chipped by a WR who looked like he hardly threw a shoulder in and pushed him out for a long run.
4- He doesn't fill holes in the run game well at all. He always seems to be on the wrong side allowing himself to be sealed or picks a wrong gap to attack.

I know this is pretty negative and I'm glad he wanted to be a Hawk. He waited his turn but sometimes it just doesn't work. I also didn't love Sharar but he's had a few more bright spots. Needless to say, I just think this group is not getting it done.

So I'm asking for other people's opinions... am I seeing things? Is it more of a DL issue? Is it because we are blitzing more? Are they doing what they are coached to do? Or does it look like they are struggling?
Click to expand...
All year Harrell has been out of position filling wrong gap, not shedding blocker or wrapping up. Like whe Amani jones got start and benched for Welch and rightfully so. Unfortunately we don’t have a Welch waiting in the wings. We’ve been spoiled with MLB play last decade.
 
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Hawkfan_08*

Hawkfan_08*

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Jul 2, 2025
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2D said:
Phil doesn't trust our LBs in coverage, so he's having them rush more. It's clear our LB group is the weakest unit on the defense. Pray for them when Oregon comes to town.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinking. We are blitzing a ton more than normal. They did get there a bunch today.
 
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Hawkfan_08*

Hawkfan_08*

All-American
Jul 2, 2025
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UIAlumFireFighter said:
Let me change this thread topic to FS (Free Safety)

Xavier Nwankpa is terrible and shouldn’t be the starter. He’s in the loyalty program apparently.
Click to expand...

DuddyB said:
We’ve got at least 3 starters on defense that aren’t B10 quality. Harrel, Lee and Nwankpa.
Click to expand...

I'm probably barking up the wrong tree tonight and I'm not trying to hijack my own thread but I agree with Lee being a weak spot but not X.

I thought he has been much better as a FS. I would take him over Schulte.

I'll go back to my linebacker worries.
 
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UIAlumFireFighter

All-Conference
Sep 26, 2018
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Hawkfan_08* said:
I'm probably barking up the wrong tree tonight and I'm not trying to hijack my own thread but I agree with Lee being a weak spot but not X.

I thought he has been much better as a FS. I would take him over Schulte.

I'll go back to my linebacker worries.
Click to expand...
lol. XN whiffed on like a dozen tackles tonight. Not too mention being late - again - getting over to cover long pass plays.
 
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BuschLatte06

Redshirt
Dec 19, 2024
9
22
3
Look at the defense stats from the Indiana game. Our top 4 tacklers were defensive backs (Entringer, Lee, Lutmer, Nwankpa). Look at how many were credited as solo tackles. Lee had 6 solo tackles! This position group doesn't have talented playmakers like we're used to seeing over the past two decades. There is no Cooper DeJean, Tyler Sash, Desmond King, Micah Hyde, or Bob Sanders on this roster. So why are we putting them in so many isolated situations?

Is this a linebacker problem or a D-line problem? Who isn't stepping up to take some of the pressure off these DBs? Higgins and Jackson had double digit tackles almost every game. Higgins especially seemed like he was a part of almost damn play! Harrell had 4 tackles yesterday and Sharar had 3. That is unacceptable LB play.

It took Nick Jackson a couple games to settle into the scheme his first year with us. But he figured it out quick. And he was a transfer without a full year in the system. These two are in their 4/5th years! We have a few highly recruited freshmen LBs on the team. Get them experience now so we know whether or not we need to buy portal replacements for the entire position group.
 
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Hawkfan_08*

Hawkfan_08*

All-American
Jul 2, 2025
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BuschLatte06 said:
Look at the defense stats from the Indiana game. Our top 4 tacklers were defensive backs (Entringer, Lee, Lutmer, Nwankpa). Look at how many were credited as solo tackles. Lee had 6 solo tackles! This position group doesn't have talented playmakers like we're used to seeing over the past two decades. There is no Cooper DeJean, Tyler Sash, Desmond King, Micah Hyde, or Bob Sanders on this roster. So why are we putting them in so many isolated situations?

Is this a linebacker problem or a D-line problem? Who isn't stepping up to take some of the pressure off these DBs? Higgins and Jackson had double digit tackles almost every game. Higgins especially seemed like he was a part of almost damn play! Harrell had 4 tackles yesterday and Sharar had 3. That is unacceptable LB play.

It took Nick Jackson a couple games to settle into the scheme his first year with us. But he figured it out quick. And he was a transfer without a full year in the system. These two are in their 4/5th years! We have a few highly recruited freshmen LBs on the team. Get them experience now so we know whether or not we need to buy portal replacements for the entire position group.
Click to expand...

This is what I'm trying to get at. I feel it is the linebackers and if we are changing what we do on defense because the starters aren't getting it done then we need to try someone else.
 
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PedMaller

Senior
Sep 4, 2021
936
988
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AxisBoldAsKIrk said:
Because the D played their a**es off and the unit is really good. Plus I don't think our CBs are weak. What did they give up yesterday?
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Our CBs are weak......Hall was terrible & now average, Lee had potential but has regressed to below average. Getting smoked on that last TD wasn't great.
 
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