We are going to miss DJ.

[USCremedy]

Look how vocal he is and how the team gathers around him before games. His play was great and I think he was an intimidating force to opponents but his leadership is going to be a bigger loss. Who do y'all think will step up and lead our D?

[ConwayGamecock]

Chaz....

[cockyfreshman2014]

Originally Posted by USCremedy

Look how vocal he is and how the team gathers around him before games. His play was great and I think he was an intimidating force to opponents but his leadership is going to be a bigger loss. Who do y'all think will step up and lead our D?

was looking forward to his senior highlights

I think you can expect TJ Gurley to become our next Swearinger for years to come, but for next year I could see someone like Vic Hampton or maybe Brison Williams/Jimmy Legree leading the defense

[robgusc76]

Id be more worried about it, if this team was like the team from several years ago. But it seems like there are several leaders on this team and a new one comes out every year!

[simsar4]

That will get you pumped up at 530 am!!

[Acockolypse Now]

Dude is going to ruin someone's day in the NFL.

[COCKYTALKIN]

You usually look for leadership out of the Safety of LB positions. Not sure where that will come from this year. I think Victor Hampton could get vocal, but it's difficult for a CB to really be the leader. Hopefully one of the LB's will step in and take over. DJ's going to be missed, that's for certain.

[trapper82]

Brison Williams will most likely be the guy that takes on that role.

[ConwayGamecock]

I remember how we were supposed to miss Eric Norwood's leadership and confidence on the field.....miss Corey Boyd's exuberance and fire. We will have new leaders step up: we used to have a handful on the team every season....now we have a ton more every season...

[gamecockphan]

We're gonna miss the size at LB and Spur this year. I think we might be in some real trouble due to size in the LB area.

[Cock Kool-Aid]

Originally Posted by gamecockphan

We're gonna miss the size at LB and Spur this year. I think we might be in some real trouble due to size in the LB area.

This concerns me as well. Hopefully, these guys can play big. Kelvin Rainey was the only one at the first spring practice who appeared to really fit the bill physically.

[gamecockphan]

Originally Posted by Cock Kool-Aid

This concerns me as well. Hopefully, these guys can play big. Kelvin Rainey was the only one at the first spring practice who appeared to really fit the bill physically.

For some reason I thought Kewan Lewis was bigger. Guess not.

Wonder why our coaches failed to recruit bigger LBs. Are we intentionally going small?

[Cock Kool-Aid]

Originally Posted by gamecockphan

For some reason I thought Kewan Lewis was bigger. Guess not.

Wonder why our coaches failed to recruit bigger LBs. Are we intentionally going small?

That would be a question for C2. I could be offbase with that assessment, but that's what my eyeballs told me. I plan on taking a better look at the linebackers at the next practice.

[usc1]

Originally Posted by gamecockphan

For some reason I thought Kewan Lewis was bigger. Guess not.

Wonder why our coaches failed to recruit bigger LBs. Are we intentionally going small?

We've got some big ones on the way:

Jonathan Walton 6'1" 228
Gerald Turner 6'1" 256
David Johnson 6'1" 245

Not to mention Larenz Bryant at 6'1" 215 and should be playing at about 230 when he hits the field.

[gamecockphan]

Originally Posted by Cock Kool-Aid

That would be a question for C2. I could be offbase with that assessment, but that's what my eyeballs told me. I plan on taking a better look at the linebackers at the next practice.

I looked at the depth chart and if that is correct, the Spur is 179 (40 lbs less than Devonte), and the 2 LBs are 221 and 215 (Shaq was 224 but we had some other guys like Quin and Reg Bowens near 250)

[gamecockphan]

Originally Posted by usc1

We've got some big ones on the way:

Jonathan Walton 6'1" 228
Gerald Turner 6'1" 256
David Johnson 6'1" 245

Not to mention Larenz Bryant at 6'1" 215 and should be playing at about 230 when he hits the field.

Fair point but we need help now.

Guys in spring ball who have been in the program who are ready to contribute at the right now at the right weight.

[BruceAlmighty]

DJ is amazing and was the perfect leader for our defense. One of the great things about sports in general is even when the leader is gone, he's had guys watching and learning from him the entire time. Even though he won't be on the field anymore, the mentality he played with is instilled in the guys that will be playing. And those guys will pass it down to the next group of the Goon Squad.

As far as specifics on leadership, I think we can look for Vic to becoming the vocal leader of this team. He's got so much to gain from this season, and we know he can perform. Also, leadership isn't only about being vocal - DJ had the ability to be vocal and perform to an excellent level which is leading by performance. Clowney may not come out and be vocal but the way he disrupts the offensive opponents will no doubt be a boost towards our defense. It's gonna be an amazing defensive unit this season partially because of those leadership qualities DJ has instilled in our guys!

[Cock Kool-Aid]

Originally Posted by gamecockphan

I looked at the depth chart and if that is correct, the Spur is 179 (40 lbs less than Devonte), and the 2 LBs are 221 and 215 (Shaq was 224 but we had some other guys like Quin and Reg Bowens near 250)

lol if you're concerned about weight, Golightly is definitely going to have you worried. That guy is little. I seem to remember hearing that Diggs could compete for some PT at that spot- I assume he is larger.

[Cock Kool-Aid]

Originally Posted by BruceAlmighty

It's gonna be an amazing defensive unit this season

I can't help but expect to have a drop off on the defensive side of the ball from last season. Losing Jerideau to clog the middle and then having such a question mark at LB and Spur. I expect we will struggle at times to stop the run.

[BruceAlmighty]

Originally Posted by Cock Kool-Aid

I can't help but expect to have a drop off on the defensive side of the ball from last season. Losing Jerideau to clog the middle and then having such a question mark at LB and Spur. I expect we will struggle at times to stop the run.

I respect your opinion and agree that people sometimes take what Jerideau was able to do for granted. However, I see Dukes and Surrat as viable replacements for him at this position. Also, I think at times Clowney has been able to get in the backfield but has over-pursued and missed the RB. I think that a major focus for him will be becoming a better run-stopper. At the moment, I'm very optimistic, but I understand that we're losing a lot of key guys. I just love the job that our coaches have done with finding new talent to replace those key players and I think it will continue this season with the GOON SQUAD.